[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29741-29743]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13648]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket No. USCG-2017-0310]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone: Vengeance Sunken Barge, San Francisco, CA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in
support of the environmental and salvage response operation to the
sunken barge Vengeance in the San Francisco Bay, east of Yerba Buena
Island and north of the Oakland Outer Harbor Entrance Channel near
Oakland, CA. All vessel traffic is prohibited from transiting the area
to allow safe response operations to be conducted. All vessels are
prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the
safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port or their
designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from June 30, 2017
until July 31, 2017. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice
will be used from June 1, 2017 until June 30, 2017.
ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket
USCG-2017-0310. To view these documents go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and
click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated
with this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Marcia Medina, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San
Francisco; telephone (415) 399-7443 or email at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
APA Administrative Procedures Act
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NAD North American Datum of 1983
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final 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 for good cause finds that those
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public
interest.''
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this
regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good
cause exists for not publishing a NPRM. Publishing an NPRM would be
impractical due to the emergent nature of the environmental and salvage
response to be conducted on the barge Vengeance.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register. The Coast Guard finds that it is
impracticable to provide notice and receive comment due to the emergent
nature of the environmental and salvage response to be conducted on the
barge Vengeance.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The legal basis for the proposed rule is 33 U.S.C 1231; 50 U.S.C.
191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Department of Homeland
Security Delegation No. 0170.1, which collectively authorize the Coast
Guard to establish safety zones.
The sunken barge Vengeance creates a significant underwater hazard
to navigation to vessels transiting the San Francisco Bay. The response
operations are complex in nature and involve
[[Page 29742]]
multiple vessels. These operations, when conducted in close proximity
to transiting vessels, create unpredictable hazards, hence
necessitating a safety zone restricting all vessel traffic within this
impacted area until environmental response operations are complete.
This safety zone establishes a temporary restricted area on the
navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay, east of Yerba Buena Island
and north of Oakland Outer Harbor Entrance Channel within the following
points: 37[deg]48.549' N. 122[deg]20.891' W., 37[deg]48.498' N.
122[deg]21.134' W., 37[deg]48.346' N. 122[deg]21.068' W., and
37[deg]48.461' N. 122[deg]20.782' W. (NAD 83). This restricted area
applies to all vessels transiting the specified area.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
The Coast Guard or a designated representative will enforce a
safety zone in navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay, east of Yerba
Buena Island and north of Oakland Outer Harbor Entrance Channel within
the following points: 37[deg]48.549' N. 122[deg]20.891' W.,
37[deg]48.498' N. 122[deg]21.134' W., 37[deg]48.346' N. 122[deg]21.068'
W., and 37[deg]48.461' N. 122[deg]20.782' W. (NAD 83).
This safety zone is effective from June 1, 2017 through on July 31,
2017 or as announced via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
The effect of the temporary safety zone will be to restrict
navigation in the vicinity of the sunken barge Vengeance until the
environmental and salvage response operations are complete. Except for
persons or vessels authorized by the Captain of the Port or a
designated representative, no vessel may enter or remain in the
restricted area. These regulations are needed to keep vessels safely
outside of the response zone until environmental and salvage response
operations are complete.
V. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive order 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
E.O.s 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and Review'') and 13563
(``Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review'') 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 including potential economic, environmental,
public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity.
E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting
flexibility. Executive Order 13771 (``Reducing Regulation and
Controlling Regulatory Costs''), directs agencies to reduce regulation
and control regulatory costs and provides that ``for every one new
regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified for
elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be prudently
managed and controlled through a budgeting process.''
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not designated this
rule a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive
Order 12866. Accordingly, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has
not reviewed it.
As this rule is not a significant regulatory action, this rule is
exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 13771. See OMB's
Memorandum titled ``Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the
Executive Order of January 30, 2017 titled `Reducing Regulation and
Controlling Regulatory Costs' '' (February 2, 2017).
We expect the economic impact of this rule will not rise to the
level of necessitating a full Regulatory Evaluation. The safety zone is
limited in duration, and is limited to a narrowly tailored geographic
area. In addition, although this rule restricts access to the waters
encompassed by the safety zone, the effect of this rule will not be
significant because it is outside of the Oakland Outer Harbor Entrance
Channel and will be notified via public Broadcast Notice to Mariners to
ensure the safety zone will result in minimum impact. The entities most
likely to be affected are waterfront facilities, commercial vessels,
and pleasure craft engaged in recreational activities.
B. 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. 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.
This rule may affect the following entities, some of which may be
small entities: Owners and operators of waterfront facilities,
commercial vessels, and pleasure craft engaged in recreational
activities and sightseeing, if these facilities or vessels are in the
vicinity of the safety zone at times when this zone is being enforced.
This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities for the following reasons: (i) This rule will
encompass only a small portion of the waterway for a limited period of
time, (ii) vessel traffic can transit safely around the safety zone,
and (iii) the maritime public will be advised in advance of this safety
zone via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
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.
[[Page 29743]]
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 (NEPA) (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 of limited size and
duration. This rule is categorically excluded from further review under
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A Record
of Environmental Consideration for categorically excluded actions is
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, and 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.T11-857 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T11-857 Safety Zone; Vengeance Sunken Barge, San Francisco,
CA.
(a) Location. This temporary safety zone is established in the
navigable waters of San Francisco Bay, east of Yerba Buena Island and
north of Oakland Outer Harbor Entrance Channel within the following
points: 37[deg]48.549' N. 122[deg]20.891' W., 37[deg]48.498' N.
122[deg]21.134' W., 37[deg]48.346' N. 122[deg]21.068' W., and
37[deg]48.461' N. 122[deg]20.782' W. (NAD 83).
(b) Enforcement period. The zone described in paragraph (a) of this
section will be enforced from June 1, 2017 through July 31, 2017 or as
announced via Broadcast Notice to Mariner. The Captain of the Port San
Francisco (COTP) will notify the maritime community of any changes to
this enforcement period via Broadcast Notice to Mariners in accordance
with 33 CFR 165.7.
(c) Definitions. As used in this section, ``designated
representative'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a
Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer on a Coast Guard
vessel or a Federal, State, or local officer designated by or assisting
the COTP in the enforcement of the safety zone.
(d) Regulations. (1) Under the general regulations in 33 CFR part
165, subpart C, entry into, transiting or anchoring within this safety
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or a designated
representative.
(2) The safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may
be permitted by the COTP or a designated representative.
(3) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety
zone must contact the COTP or a designated representative to obtain
permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter or
operate in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to
them by the COTP or a designated representative. Persons and vessels
may request permission to enter the safety zone through the 24-hour
Command Center at telephone (415) 399-3547 or on VHF channel 16.
Dated: June 1, 2017.
Anthony J. Ceraolo,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Francisco.
[FR Doc. 2017-13648 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P