§ 1232a. Navigational hazards
(a)
Reporting procedure
The Secretary shall establish a program to encourage fishermen and other vessel operators to report potential or existing navigational hazards involving pipelines to the Secretary through Coast Guard field offices.
(b)
Secretary’s response
(1)
Upon notification by the operator of a pipeline of a hazard to navigation with respect to that pipeline, the Secretary shall immediately notify Coast Guard headquarters, the Office of Pipeline Safety, other affected Federal and State agencies, and vessel owners and operators in the pipeline’s vicinity.
(2)
Upon notification by any other person of a hazard or potential hazard to navigation with respect to a pipeline, the Secretary shall promptly determine whether a hazard exists, and if so shall immediately notify Coast Guard headquarters, the Office of Pipeline Safety, other affected Federal and State agencies, vessel owners and operators in the pipeline’s vicinity, and the owner and operator of the pipeline.
(c)
Establishment of standards
The Secretary shall, within six months after November 16, 1990, establish standards, for the purposes of this section, for what constitutes a hazard to navigation.