[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12588-12590]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05388]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2016-0155]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River 321.4 to 321.6; Quincy, IL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
all waters of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) from mile 321.4 to mile
321.6. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, property, and
infrastructure from potential damage and safety hazards associated with
work being completed on new power lines across the river. Entry of
vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP). Deviation from the safety
zone may be requested and will be considered on a case-by-case basis as
specifically authorized by the COTP or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily
beginning on March 21, 2016 through April 1, 2016.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0155 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email LCDR Sean Peterson, Chief of Prevention, U.S. Coast
Guard; telephone 314-269-2332, email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
BNM Broadcast Notice to Mariners
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
UMR Upper Mississippi River
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule without prior notice
and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This
provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and
opportunity to comment when the agency finds good cause that those
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
with respect to this rule because Ameren notified the Coast Guard on
February 17, 2016, that this work will require helicopters to stretch
the power lines across the river. Due to the risks associated with this
work crossing the navigable channel, a closure is needed. It would be
impracticable to publish a NPRM because the safety zone must be
established beginning March 21, 2016. Broadcast Notices to Mariners
(BNM) and information sharing with waterway users will update mariners
of the safety zone and enforcement times during the operations.
We are issuing this rule, and under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast
Guard finds that good cause exists for making it effective less than 30
days after publication in the Federal Register. Providing 30 days
notice would be impracticable because immediate action is needed to
protect vessels from the hazards associated with the rope crossing the
navigable channel.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C.
1231. The COTP UMR has determined that potential hazards associated
with using helicopters to stretch power lines across the navigational
channel presents safety concerns for anyone within this limited area of
the UMR. This rule provides additional safety measures, to protect
persons and vessels, in the form of a safety zone from mile 321.4 to
mile 321.6 on the UMR to protect those in the area and for the Coast
Guard to maintain navigational safety.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone prohibiting
access to the UMR from mile 321.4 to mile 321.6, extending the entire
width of the river from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily beginning on
March 21, 2016 and scheduled to end on April 1, 2016, or until
conditions allow for safe navigation, whichever occurs earlier.
Deviation from the safety zone may be requested and will be considered
on a case-by-case basis as specifically authorized by the COTP or a
designated representative. The COTP may be contacted by telephone at
314-269-2332 or can be reached by VHF-FM channel 16.
V. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
based on a number of these statutes and Executive Orders, and we
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing
rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has not been designated
a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866.
Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and
Budget. This rule establishes a temporary safety zone limiting access
to the UMR from mile 321.4 to mile 321.6. Notifications of enforcement
times will be communicated to the marine community via BNM. The impacts
on navigation will be limited to ensure the safety of mariners and
vessels during the period that the helicopters will be pulling the
power lines across the navigational channel. Deviation requests
[[Page 12589]]
will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.
B. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 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. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities.
While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the
safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section
V.A. above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on
any vessel owner or operator.
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 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
section.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR
(1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small
entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or
action of the Coast Guard.
C. Collection of Information
This rule will not call for a new collection of information under
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
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 rule under that Order and have
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132.
Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it does 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. If
you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes,
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section above.
E. 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 rule will not result in
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere
in this preamble.
F. Environment
We have analyzed this 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 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined 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
rule involves a safety zone on the UMR from mile 321.4 to mile 321.6.
It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g)
of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An 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 rule.
G. 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.
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 amends
33 CFR part 165 as follows:
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
0170.1.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T08-0155 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0155 Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River 321.4 to
321.6; Quincy, IL.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
the Upper Mississippi River mile 321.4 to 321.6, extending the entire
width of the river.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain,
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port Upper Mississippi River (COTP) in the enforcement
of the safety zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the
COTP's designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative via VHF-FM channel 16, or through Coast Guard Sector
Upper Mississippi River at 314-269-2332. Those in the safety zone must
comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP
or the COTP's designated representative.
(d) Effective and enforcement period. This rule is effective and
will be enforced from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily beginning on
March 21, 2016 through April 1, 2016.
[[Page 12590]]
Dated: March 3, 2016.
M.L. Malloy,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Upper Mississippi River.
[FR Doc. 2016-05388 Filed 3-9-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P