[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 207 (Thursday, October 25, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53814-53816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-23301]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0986]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Allegheny River, Miles 0.25 to 0.7, Pittsburgh, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all navigable waters of the Allegheny River from mile 0.25 to mile 0.7. 
This safety zone is necessary to protect persons, vessels, and the 
marine environment from potential hazards associated with low flying 
aircraft over the Allegheny River. Entry of persons or vessels into 
this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from October 25, 
2018 through noon on November 5, 2018. For the purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from 6 a.m. on October 22, 2018 through 
October 25, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0986 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 Petty Officer Jennifer Haggins, Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 412-221-0807, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh
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 it is 
``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 it is impracticable. This safety zone must be 
established as early as October 22, 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 aircraft operation.
    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 this rule would be 
contrary to the public interest because immediate action is necessary 
to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with low flying 
aircraft over the Allegheny River.

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 Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with low flying aircraft 
will be a safety hazard for anyone within a one half-mile stretch of 
the Allegheny River. The rule is needed to protect persons, vessels, 
and the marine environment on the navigable waters within the safety 
zone before, during, and after the aircraft operation.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 6 a.m. on 
October 22, 2018 through noon on November 5, 2018. The safety zone will 
cover all navigable waters of the Allegheny River, from mile 0.25 to 
mile 0.7. The safety zone will be enforced only on one day during the 
effective period, from 6 a.m. through noon. The COTP or a designated 
representative would inform the public through Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety 
Information Bulletins (MSIBs), and/or other means of public notice, as 
appropriate, at least 24 hours in advance of the enforcement period. 
The duration of the zone is intended to protect persons, vessels, and 
the marine environment on these navigable waters before, during, and 
after a low-flying aircraft operation. 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 Marine Safety 
Unit Pittsburgh. Persons and vessels seeking entry into this safety 
zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. They may be contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or by 
telephone at (412) 221-0807. Persons and vessels permitted to enter 
this safety zone must transit at their slowest safe speed and comply 
with all lawful instructions of the COTP or a designated 
representative. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the 
public of the enforcement period for the safety zone as well as any 
changes in the schedule 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 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 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the temporary safety zone. This regulation 
will impact vessel traffic on a less than one-half mile stretch the 
Allegheny River for six hours on one morning. Moreover, the Coast Guard

[[Page 53815]]

will issue a 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 regulation 
will impact vessel traffic on a less than one-half mile stretch the 
Allegheny River for six hours on one morning. 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 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.T08-0986 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0986  Safety Zone; Allegheny River, miles 0.25 to 0.7, 
Pittsburgh, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Allegheny River from mile 0.25 to mile 0.7.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 6 a.m. on 
October 22, 2018 through noon on November 5, 2018.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced on one day 
during the effective period from 6 a.m. through noon. The Captain of 
the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated 
representative will inform the public as provided in subsection (e) at 
least 24 hours in advance of the enforcement period.
    (d) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by 
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 Marine Safety 
Unit Pittsburgh.
    (2) Persons and vessels seeking entry into this safety zone must 
request permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They 
may be

[[Page 53816]]

contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or by telephone at (412) 221-0807.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
instructions of the COTP or a designated representative.
    (e) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public of the enforcement period for the 
safety zone as well as any changes in the schedule through Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or 
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.

    Dated: October 19, 2018.
A.W. Demo,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2018-23301 Filed 10-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


