[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 197 (Thursday, October 10, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54496-54498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-22185]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2019-0799]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Manasquan Inlet, Manasquan, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain waters of the Manasquan Inlet between Manasquan, NJ, and Point 
Pleasant Beach, NJ. This action is necessary to protect event 
participants, spectators, and vessels transiting the area from 
potential hazards during the Manasquan Inlet Intercoastal Tug marine 
event. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels 
are prohibited from entering into, remaining within, transiting 
through, or anchoring in the safety zone unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port Delaware Bay or a designated representative of the 
Captain of the Port.

DATES: This rule is effective from noon to 2:30 p.m. on October 12, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2019-0799 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket

[[Page 54497]]

Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Petty Officer Thomas Welker, U.S. Coast Guard; Sector 
Delaware Bay, Waterways Management Division; telephone (215) 271-4814, 
email Thomas.J.Welker@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

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
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)(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 and contrary to 
the public interest to do so. There is insufficient time to allow for a 
reasonable comment period prior to the date of the event. The rule must 
be in force by October 12, 2019. The tug-of-war event will consist of 
teams on opposing sides of the Manasquan Inlet with a rope extended 
between the sides. The event will span the entire width of the inlet. 
Vessel operation in the area of the event could be hazardous to both 
event participants and vessels. We are taking immediate action to 
ensure the safety of event participants and vessels operating in the 
area.
    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 impracticable and contrary to the public interest 
because immediate action is needed to mitigate the potential safety 
hazards associated with the marine event in this location.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Delaware Bay 
(COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the rope 
crossing the entire span of the waterway will be a safety concern for 
anyone within a 400 feet of the tug-of-war rope. The purpose of this 
rule is to ensure safety of vessels and the navigable waters in the 
safety zone before, during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone on the waters of the 
Manasquan Inlet to be in effect from noon to 2:30 p.m. on October 12, 
2019. The safety zone will cover all waters within 400 feet of the 
event located between approximate locations 40[deg]06'09'' N, 
74[deg]02'09'' W and 40[deg]06'14'' N, 74[deg]02'08'' W. During the 
event, the inlet will be closed to all non-participant vessel traffic. 
There is a 30-minute break tentatively planned for midway through the 
event. If circumstances permit, during the break, the rope will be 
removed from navigable waters and vessels may be allowed to transit 
through the area at the discretion of the COTP or COTP's designated 
representative. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the 
safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative of the Captain of the Port. The Coast Guard will provide 
notice of the safety zone by Broadcast Notice to Mariners and by on-
scene actual notice.

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 regulated area. While this regulated area 
will impact a designated area of the Manasquan River Inlet for two and 
half hours, the event sponsor has organized a tentative 30-minute time 
period during the event where vessels would be able to transit through 
the inlet. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule will 
allow vessels to seek permission to enter the zone during the 30-minute 
break period during the event.

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 received no comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. 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 
regulated area 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

[[Page 54498]]

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.

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 Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), 
which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made 
a 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 rule involves a temporary safety zone that 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within a 
limited area on the navigable water of the Manasquan Inlet, during a 
tug-of-war event lasting approximately two and a half hours. It is 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) in 
Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing 
Procedures 5090.1. 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: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 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.T05-0799 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0799  Safety Zone; Manasquan Inlet; Manasquan, NJ.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Manasquan Inlet extending 400 feet from either side of a rope 
located between approximate locations 40[deg]06'09'' N, 74[deg]02'09'' 
W and 40[deg]06'14'' N, 74[deg]02'08'' W. All coordinates are based on 
World Geodetic System 1984.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative 
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard petty 
officer, warrant or commissioned officer on board a Coast Guard vessel 
or on board a federal, state, or local law enforcement vessel assisting 
the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay (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 or remain in the zone, contact the 
COTP or the COTP's representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or 215-271-
4807. 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.
    (3) This section applies to all vessels except those engaged in law 
enforcement, aids to navigation servicing, and emergency response 
operations.
    (d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 
and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local 
agencies.
    (e) Enforcement period. This zone will be enforced on October 12, 
2019, from on or after noon through on or before 2:30 p.m. on October 
12, 2019.

    Dated: October 3, 2019.
Scott E. Anderson,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Delaware Bay.
[FR Doc. 2019-22185 Filed 10-9-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


