[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 49 (Friday, March 13, 2015)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 13309-13312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05800]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2014-1044]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Shore (Belt) Parkway Bridge Construction, Mill
Basin; Brooklyn, NY
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone on the
navigable waters of Mill Basin surrounding the Belt Parkway Bridge. In
response to a planned Belt Parkway Bridge construction project, this
rule would allow the Coast Guard to prohibit all vessel traffic through
the safety zone during bridge replacement operations, both planned and
unforeseen, that could pose an imminent hazard to persons and vessels
operating in the area. This rule is necessary to provide for the safety
of life in the vicinity of the construction of the Belt Parkway Bridge.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before May 12, 2015.
Requests for public meetings must be received by the Coast Guard on
or before April 3, 2015.
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,
contact LT Hannah Eko, Coast Guard Sector New York; telephone (718)
354-4114, or email [email protected]. If you have questions on
viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Cheryl Collins,
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 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-2014-1044] 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.
[[Page 13310]]
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-2014-1044) 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
A Coast Guard Public Notice detailing work on the portion of the
Belt Parkway Bridge over Mill Basin was published on 31 July 2007.
C. Basis and Purpose
The legal basis for this rule is 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, which collectively authorize the Coast Guard to
define regulatory safety zones.
The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels
and workers from hazards associated with construction on the Belt
Parkway Bridge.
D. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The proposed rule will give the Captain of the Port (COTP) New York
the authority to prohibit vessel traffic on this portion of Mill Basin
when necessary for the safety of vessels and workers during
construction work in the channel. The Coast Guard will close the
designated area to all traffic during any circumstance, planned or
unforeseen, that poses an imminent threat to waterway users or
construction operations in the area. Complete waterway closures will be
minimized to that period absolutely necessary and made with as much
advanced notice as possible. During closures there will not be enough
space for mariners to transit through the safety zone between the
construction vessels and the current bridge piers.
The COTP would notify the public of the enforcement of this safety
zone by publishing a Notice of Enforcement (NOE) in the Federal
Register and via the other means listed in 33 CFR 165.7. Such
notifications would include the date and times of enforcement, along
with any pre-determined conditions of entry.
A navigation safety situation created by construction of the new
Belt Parkway Bridge and removal of the current Belt Parkway Bridge
prompted the proposed rule. This bridge carries the Shore Parkway (also
referred to as the Belt Parkway) over Mill Basin. The current Belt
Parkway Bridge was built in 1940 and no longer meets current federal
and state safety standards. The New York City Department of
Transportation (NYC DOT) will hire contractors to construct a new fixed
bridge approximately 100 feet west of the current bridge and remove the
current movable, bascule bridge. This new bridge will represent an
increase of about 1,780 feet in length over the existing bridge and an
increase of about 46 feet in width. Construction is scheduled to begin
mid to late 2015. Scheduled completion of the new bridge and removal of
the old bridge is 2021.
The Coast Guard has discussed this project with NYC DOT to
determine whether the project can be completed without channel closures
and, if possible, what impact that would have on the project timeline.
Through these discussions, it became clear that while the majority of
construction activities during the span of this project would not
require waterways closures, there are certain tasks that can only be
completed in the channel and will require closing the waterway.
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 these statutes and 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.
The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposed rule
to be minimal as this proposed safety zone will be limited to the Mill
Basin area, closures will mostly occur during weekdays when traffic is
low, and most waterway closures will be during times of reduced
recreational boating traffic.
Advanced public notifications would also be made to local mariners
through appropriate means, which may include but are not limited to the
Local Notice to Mariners and at http://homeport.uscg.mil/newyork which
would allow the public an opportunity to plan for these closures.
2. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000. For all of the reasons discussed in the REGULATORY PLANNING AND
REVIEW section, 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.
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
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
[[Page 13311]]
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.
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 safety zone and thus, 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 will be
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 record
keeping requirements, Security measures and 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 AREA
0
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.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T01-1044 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-1044 Safety Zone; Belt Parkway Bridge Construction, Mill
Basin, Brooklyn, NY.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters from
surface to bottom of Mill Basin within 200 yards of the Belt Parkway
Mill Basin bridge, east of a line drawn from 40-36-24.29'' N, 73-54-
02.59'' W to 40-36-11.36'' N, 073-54-04.69'' W, and west of a line
drawn from 40-36-21.13'' N, 073-53-47.38'' W to 40-36-11.59'' N, 073-
53-48.88'' W.
(b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) Designated Representative. A ``designated representative'' is
any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer of the U.S.
Coast Guard who has been designated by the Captain of the Port (COTP)
New York, to act on his or her behalf. The designated representative
may be on an official patrol vessel or may be on shore and will
communicate with vessels via VHF-FM radio or loudhailer. In addition,
members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary may be present to inform vessel
operators of this regulation.
(2) Official Patrol Vessels. Official patrol vessels may consist of
any Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, state, or local law enforcement
vessels assigned or approved by the COTP.
(c) Enforcement Periods. (1) This safety zone is in effect
permanently 1 June 2015 but will only be enforced when deemed necessary
by the COTP.
(2) The COTP will notify the public of the enforcement of this
safety zone by publishing a Notice of Enforcement (NOE) in the Federal
Register and via the other means listed in 33 CFR 165.7.
[[Page 13312]]
Such notifications will include the date and times of enforcement,
along with any pre-determined conditions of entry.
(d) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR
165.23, as well as the following regulations, apply.
(2) During periods of enforcement, all persons and vessels must
comply with all orders and directions from the COTP or a COTP's
designated representative.
(3) During periods of enforcement, upon being hailed by a U.S.
Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the
operator of the vessel must proceed as directed.
Dated: March 3, 2015.
G. Loebl,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New York.
[FR Doc. 2015-05800 Filed 3-12-15; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P