Minimum conditions for petroleum-bearing vessels in certain areas; tanker-avoidance zones

§ 70. Minimum conditions for petroleum-bearing vessels in certain areas; tanker-avoidance zones. 1. The commissioner of environmental conservation in consultation with the petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission established in section seventy-one of this article, the United States Coast Guard, the board of commissioners of pilots and appropriate officials of any state or country with concurrent jurisdiction over water bodies which might be affected, through rule and regulation may establish standards setting forth: (a) the minimum conditions under which petroleum-bearing vessels as defined in section one hundred seventy-two of this chapter may enter or move upon the navigable waters of the state and any tidewaters bordering on or lying within the boundaries of Nassau and Suffolk counties. Such conditions may include, but not be limited to, visibility, the tide and wind conditions and weather; and (b) the minimum conditions under which petroleum-bearing vessels may enter or leave any major facility, port or harbor. Such conditions may include, but not be limited to, visibility, the tide and wind conditions and weather. 2. The commissioner of environmental conservation may, in consultation with the petroleum-bearing vessel advisory commission established in section seventy-one of this article, the United States Coast Guard, the board of commissioners of pilots and appropriate officials of any state or country with concurrent jurisdiction over water bodies which might be affected, establish tanker-avoidance zones, where it shall be unlawful for petroleum-bearing vessels as defined in section one hundred seventy-two of this chapter, to enter or move upon the navigable waters of the state or any tidewaters bordering on or lying within the boundaries of Nassau and Suffolk counties.