United States Marine Corps Restricted Area, New River, North Carolina, and Vicinity

The Corps of Engineers is amending the regulations which established restricted areas in the waters of New River, North Carolina, and vicinity to include restricted areas for United States Marine Corps Waterborne Refueling Training Operation in the Morgan Bay Sector, Farnell Bay Sector, and Grey Point Sector. Refueling operations will occur approximately fourteen times a year. Small craft will be refueled with unleaded gasoline or diesel fuel from a tactical bulk refueling system loaded onto a floating platform or vessel. The purpose is for the Marine Corps to gain proficiency in refueling operations and associated activities in riverine environments. The restricted area previously served as a firing range; but there were not provisions for refueling operations. The changes to the regulation are necessary to safeguard Marine Corps vessels, ribbon bridges, and United States Government facilities from sabotage and other subversive acts, accidents, or other incidents of similar nature. These changes are also necessary to protect the public from potentially hazardous conditions which may exist as a result of the Marine Corps use of the area.