[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 246 (Friday, December 21, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75602-75605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-30755]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2012-1062]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; Oak Island, NC
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to extend the temporary safety zone
established on the waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway at Oak
Island, North Carolina. The safety zone is necessary to provide for the
safety of mariners on navigable waters during maintenance on the NC 133
Fixed Bridge crossing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 311.8,
at Oak Island, North Carolina. The safety zone extension will
temporarily restrict vessel movement within the designated area
starting on February 14, 2013 through June 15, 2013.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before January 7, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number using
any one of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
(3) Mail or Delivery: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S.
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Deliveries
accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for further instructions
on submitting comments. To avoid duplication, please use only one of
these three methods.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email CWO4 Joseph M. Edge, U.S. Coast Guard Sector North
Carolina; telephone 252-247-4525, email [email protected]. If you
have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call
Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202)
366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Acronyms
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
A. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided.
1. Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online at
http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but
please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online, it
will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully
transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment,
it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when
it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you
include your name and a
[[Page 75603]]
mailing address, an email address, or a telephone number in the body of
your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding
your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov,
type the docket number (USCG-2012-1062) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click
``SEARCH.'' Click on ``Submit a Comment'' on the line associated with
this rulemaking.
If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\; by 11 inches, suitable for
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped,
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and
material received during the comment period and may change the rule
based on your comments.
2. Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov,
type the docket number (USCG-2012-1062) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click
``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with
this rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in
Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590,
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
3. Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).
4. Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a
request for one, using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES.
Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If
we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a
time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.
B. Regulatory History and Information
We note that this NPRM proposes an extension of an existing safety
zone. This zone was originally established from September 12 through
December 12, 2012 (See ``Safety Zone, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway;
Oak Island, NC,'' 77 FR 44466, July 30, 2012). It was subsequently
extended through February 14, 2013 (See 77 FR 64720, October 23, 2012).
C. Basis and Purpose
North Carolina Department of Transportation has awarded a contract
to Marine Contracting Corporation of Virginia Beach, Virginia to
perform bridge maintenance on the NC 133 Fixed Bridge crossing the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 311.8, at Oak Island, North
Carolina. The contract provides for replacing the fender system to
commence on September 12, 2012 with a completion date of December 12,
2012. The contractor was granted an extension by North Carolina
Department of Transportation until February 14, 2013. Due to the
presence of rock on the sea bed, which will impact construction
progress, NCDOT has granted an additional extension until June 15, 2013
to complete the bridge maintenance. The contractor will utilize a 140
foot deck barge with a 40 foot beam as a work platform and for
equipment staging.
D. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The proposed temporary safety zone will encompass the waters
directly under the NC 133 Fixed Bridge crossing the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 311.8, at Oak Island, North Carolina
(33[deg]55'18'' N/078[deg]04'22'' W). All vessels transiting this
section of the waterway requiring a horizontal clearance of greater
than 50 feet will be required to make a one hour advanced notification
to the work supervisor at the NC 133 Fixed Bridge while the safety zone
is in effect. The initial safety zone is currently in effect until
February 14, 2013. Here, the additional proposed extension will extend
the end date from 8 p.m. February 14, 2013 to 8 p.m. June 15, 2013.
This safety zone will provide a safety buffer to transiting vessels
as bridge repairs present potential hazards to mariners and property
due to reduction of horizontal clearance. During this period the Coast
Guard will require a one hour notification to the work supervisor at
the NC 133 Fixed Bridge at the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway crossing,
mile 311.8, Oak Island, North Carolina. The notification requirement
will apply during the maintenance period for vessels requiring a
horizontal clearance of greater than 50 feet.
E. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes
and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our
analyses based on a number of these statutes or executive orders.
1. Regulatory Planning and Review
This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review,
as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. This rule does not
restrict traffic from transiting through the noted portion of the
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; it only imposes a one hour notification
to ensure the waterway is clear of impediment to allow passage to
vessels requiring a horizontal clearance of greater than 50 feet.
2. Impact on Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have
considered the impact of this proposed rule on small entities. The
Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities. This proposed rule would affect the following entities,
some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators of
commercial tug and barge companies, recreational and commercial fishing
vessels intending to transit the specified portion of Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway from 8 p.m. February 14, 2013 through 8 p.m. June
15, 2103.
This safety zone would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons.
Although the safety zone will apply to the entire width of this section
of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, vessel traffic will be able to
request passage by providing a one hour advanced notification. Before
the effective period, the Coast Guard will issue maritime advisories
widely available to the users of the waterway. If you think that your
business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a
small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic
impact on it, please submit a comment (see
[[Page 75604]]
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what
degree this rule would economically affect it.
3. Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small
entities in understanding this proposed rule. If the rule would affect
your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you
have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance,
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, above. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small
entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any
policy or action of the Coast Guard.
4. Collection of Information
This proposed rule will not call for a new collection of
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520).
5. Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and
determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.
6. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that
your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or
security of people, places or vessels.
7. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule
elsewhere in this preamble.
8. Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630,
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected
Property Rights.
9. Civil Justice Reform
This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
10. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045,
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might
disproportionately affect children.
11. Indian Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it would not have a substantial direct effect on
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
12. Energy Effects
This proposed rule is not a ``significant energy action'' under
Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use because it is
not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and
is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply,
distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of
Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a
significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement
of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.
13. Technical Standards
This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
14. Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland
Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and
have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a
category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human environment. This proposed rule
involves the establishment of a temporary safety zone. This rule is
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary environmental
analysis checklist supporting this determination and a Categorical
Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where indicated
under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to
the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed
rule.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows:
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50
U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 107-
295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
0170.1.
2. Add temporary Sec. 165.T05-1062 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-1062 Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Oak
Island, NC.
(a) Regulated Area. The following area is a safety zone: This zone
includes the waters directly under and 100 yards either side of the NC
133 Fixed Bridge crossing the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile
311.8, at Oak Island, North Carolina (33[deg]55'18'' N/078[deg]04'22''
W).
(b) Regulations. The general safety zone regulations found in 33
CFR 165.23 apply to the safety zone created by this temporary section,
Sec. 165.T05-1062. In addition the following regulations apply:
(1) All vessels requiring greater than 50 feet horizontal clearance
to safely transit through the NC 133 Fixed Bridge crossing the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 311.8, at Oak Island,
[[Page 75605]]
North Carolina must contact the work supervisor on VHF-FM marine band
radio channels 13 and 16 one hour in advance of intended transit.
(2) All Coast Guard assets enforcing this safety zone can be
contacted on VHF-FM marine band radio channels 13 and 16.
(3) The operator of any vessel within or in the immediate vicinity
of this safety zone shall:
(i) Stop the vessel immediately upon being directed to do so by any
commissioned, warrant or petty officer on board a vessel displaying a
Coast Guard Ensign, and
(ii) Proceed as directed by any commissioned, warrant or petty
officer on board a vessel displaying a Coast Guard Ensign.
(c) Definitions.
(1) Captain of the Port North Carolina means the Commander, Coast
Guard Sector North Carolina or any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or
petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port to act
on his behalf.
(2) Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned,
warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the
Port North Carolina to assist in enforcing the safety zone described in
paragraph (a) of this section.
(3) Work Supervisor means the contractors on site
representative.
(d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted by Federal,
State and local agencies in the patrol and enforcement of the zone.
(e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from through
8 p.m. February 14, 2013 through 8 p.m. June 15, 2013, unless cancelled
earlier by the Captain of the Port.
Dated: December 7, 2012.
A. Popiel,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 2012-30755 Filed 12-20-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P