[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 175 (Monday, September 10, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45567-45569]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-19511]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0813]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River Mile Markers 824 to 832, St. 
Paul, MN

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
the navigable waters of the Upper Mississippi River from mile marker 
(MM) 824 to MM 832. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, 
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by 
an oil spill response exercise. Entry of vessels or persons into this 
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Sector Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on September 
12, 2018, or until the exercise concludes, whichever occurs first.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0813 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 Lieutenant Commander Christian Barger, Sector Upper 
Mississippi River Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; 
telephone 314-269-2560, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
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 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.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), the Coast Guard finds that 
good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) with respect to this rule because it is impracticable. This 
safety zone must be established by September 12, 2018, and we lack 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing this rule. The NPRM process 
would delay the establishment of the safety zone until after the date 
of the oil spill response exercise and compromise public safety.
    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. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be contrary to the public interest because immediate 
action is necessary to respond to the potential hazards associated with 
the oil spill response exercise.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with oil spill response 
exercise activities and equipment deployment will be a safety concern 
for anyone on the navigable waters of the Upper Mississippi River from 
mile marker (MM) 824 to MM 832. This rule is needed to protect persons, 
vessels, and the marine environment on the navigable waters within the 
safety zone while the oil spill response crews are operating in the 
area and while the oil spill removal equipment is deployed in the 
river.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 8 a.m. through 5 
p.m. on September 12, 2018. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters of the Upper Mississippi River from MM 824 to MM 832. The 
duration of the zone is intended to protect persons, vessels, and the 
marine environment in these navigable waters while the oil spill 
response crews are operating in the area and while the oil spill 
removal equipment is deployed in the river. No vessel or person will be 
permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from 
the COTP or a designated representative. A designated representative is 
a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector Upper 
Mississippi River.
    Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be 
contacted by telephone at 314-269-2332 or on VHF-FM channel 16. Persons 
and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must transit at their 
slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful directions issued by the 
COTP or the designated representative. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public of the enforcement times and date 
for this safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), 
Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information 
Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.

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 13563 (``Improving Regulation and Regulatory 
Review'') and 12866 (``Regulatory Planning and 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). Executive Order 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, OMB has not reviewed it. As this 
rule is not a significant

[[Page 45568]]

regulatory action, this rule is exempt from the requirements of 
Executive Order 13771. See OMB's Memorandum ``Guidance Implementing 
Executive Order 13771, Titled `Reducing Regulation and Controlling 
Regulatory Costs' '' (April 5, 2017).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. This safety zone impacts an 
eight mile stretch of the Upper Mississippi River for eight hours on 
one day. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule 
allows vessels to seek permission to enter the zone.

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 
temporary 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 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 lasting approximately eight hours on one day that will 
prohibit entry on the navigable waters of the Upper Mississippi River 
from MM 824 to MM 832. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 
023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) 
supporting this determination is available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES.

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.T08-0813 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0813   Safety zone; Upper Mississippi River mile markers 
824 to 832, St. Paul, MN.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Upper Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 824 to MM 
832, extending the entire width of the river.
    (b) Effective period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
through 5 p.m. on September 12, 2018, or until the exercise concludes, 
whichever occurs first.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry of vessels or persons into this zone 
is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Sector Upper Mississippi River (COTP) or designated representative. A 
designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer 
of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to

[[Page 45569]]

units under the operational control of USCG Sector Upper Mississippi 
River.
    (2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. To seek entry 
into the safety zone, contact the COTP or the COTP's designated 
representative by telephone at 314-269-2332 or on VHF-FM channel 16.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this 
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices 
to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) 
as appropriate.

    Dated: August 27, 2018.
Scott A. Stoermer,
CAPT, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi 
River.
[FR Doc. 2018-19511 Filed 9-7-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


