Trump Blocking Access to Potomac River
The U.S. Coast Guard will block access to the Potomac River at Violettes Lock. This may make it impossible to run the GW Canal/Violettes Lock loop.
Comments on this regulation, Docket Number USCG–2017–0448, should be sent to the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.
You should also send comments to your Senators and Representatives and ask them to take an interest in this issue. You can look up your senators and representatives at Common Cause. Just enter your address to see a list with contact information. We must take a stand against this.
(July 2017)
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-NCR
2401 HAWKINS POINT ROAD, BLDG 70
BALTIMORE, MD 21226-1791
Phone: (410) 576-2693
Fax: (410) 576-2536
Limited Access Area - Security Zone
Trump National Golf Club - Potomac Falls, VA
Notice is hereby given of the establishment of a security zone on certain waters of the Potomac River, in Montgomery County, MD, under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act (PWSA), 33 United States Code (U.S.C.) 1226, which allows the Coast Guard to take actions, including the establishment of security and safety zones, to prevent or respond to acts of terrorism against individuals, vessels, or public or commercial structures.
As described in Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) § 165.557, the Coast Guard has established a security zone, encompassing certain waters of the Potomac River, to safeguard high-ranking United States officials at the Trump National Golf Club at Potomac Falls, VA. The security zone includes all navigable waters of the Potomac River, from shoreline to shoreline, within an area bounded on the east by a line connecting the following points: latitude 39°04'02" W., longitude 077°19'48" W., thence south to latitude 39°03'39" W., longitude 077°20'02" W., and bounded on the west by longitude 077°22'06" W., located in Montgomery County, MD. Coordinates used in this section are based on NAD83.
The Coast Guard Captain of the Port (COTP) Maryland-National Capital Region will provide the affected segments of the public with notice of enforcement of security zone by Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM), Local Notice to Mariners, and on-scene notice by designated representative or other appropriate means in accordance with 33 CFR 165.7.
The general security zone regulations found in § 165.33 apply to this security zone. Except for public vessels, entry into or remaining in the security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard COTP Maryland-National Capital Region. All vessels within the security zone at the time this regulation is enforced shall depart the zone immediately. Persons and vessel operators who intend to enter or transit the security zone while the zone is being enforced must obtain authorization from the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or designated representative. Access to the zone will be determined in consultation with the lead federal agency on a case-by-case basis when the zone is enforced. To request permission to enter or transit the security zone, the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or designated representatives can be contacted at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on marine band radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Coast Guard vessels that enforce this section can be contacted on marine band radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, or other Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency vessel, by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means. When authorized by the Coast Guard to enter the security zone all persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or designated representative and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course while within the security zone. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted by federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in the patrol and enforcement of this security zone.
(July 2017)
Limited Access Area - Security Zone
Trump National Golf Club - Potomac Falls, VA
Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region means the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region or any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port to act on his or her behalf.
Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region to enforce this security zone.
Public vessel has the same meaning as that term is defined under 46 U.S.C. 2101.
Penalty: Persons or vessels violating this section may be subject to civil or criminal penalties pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 1232 of up to $90,063.