
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65132-65134]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20396]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0712]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone, Allegheny River, Mile Markers 15.5 to 16.5, 
Allegheny County, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
the waters of the Allegheny River on September 22, 2023, at mile marker 
15.5 to 16.5 from 7:30 through 9 a.m. This action is necessary to 
provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during an on-
land demolition. This rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from 
being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Pittsburgh or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:30 through 9 a.m. on September 22, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0712 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email LTJG Eyobe Mills, Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh, U.S. 
Coast Guard, at telephone 412-221-0807, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
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. This safety zone must be established by September 
22, 2023, to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters 
during a demolition, 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 demolition. Vessels or 
people inside the safety zone have to potential of getting hit with 
debris.
    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 impractical and contrary to the public interest 
because this action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and 
persons during the demolition event on September 22, 2023.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the land-based demolition on 
September 22, 2023, will be a safety concern for anyone on the 
Allegheny River at mile marker 15.5 to 16.5. This rule is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable 
waters within the temporary safety zone.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 7:30 until 9 a.m. on 
September 22, 2023. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters on 
Allegheny River, within mile marker 15.5 to 16.5. The duration of the 
zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment in these navigable waters during a land-based demolition.
    No vessel or person is permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative of 
the COTP. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or 
petty officer of the Coast Guard assigned to units under the 
operational control of the COTP. To seek permission to enter, contact 
the COTP or a designated representative via VHF-FM channel 16. Persons 
and vessels permitted to enter the safety zone must comply with all 
lawful orders or directions issued by the COTP or designated 
representative. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the 
public of the effective period for the safety zone as well as any 
changes in the dates and times of enforcement through Broadcast Notices 
to Mariners or Marine Safety Information Bulletins, 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. This rule has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866, as amended by 
Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). Accordingly, 
this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the temporary safety zone. This safety zone 
only impacts a 1-mile

[[Page 65133]]

stretch of the Allegheny River for one and a half hours on September 
22, 2023. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue LNMs, MSIBs, and/or BNMs 
via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone and the rule allows vessels 
to seek permission from the COTP to transit 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 
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 
call or email 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.

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, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, 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 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 that only impacts 1-mile stretch of the Allegheny River for 
one and a half hours on September 22, 2023, on the Allegheny River. 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. 1. A 
Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is 
available in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see 
the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to call or email 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--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 
6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0712 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0712  Safety Zone; Allegheny River, Mile Markers 15.5 to 
16.5, Allegheny County, PA.

    (a) Safety zone. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Allegheny River, from surface to bottom, between mile markers 15.5 
to 16.5.
    (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 Pittsburgh (COTP) in the enforcement of the 
regulations in this section.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you are prohibited from entering, transiting 
through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area described 
in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or their 
designated representative.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by VHF Channel 16. Those in the regulated area must 
comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP 
or the designated representative.
    (3) The COTP will provide notice of the regulated area through 
advanced

[[Page 65134]]

notice via broadcast notice to mariners and by on-scene designated 
representatives.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7:30 to 
9 a.m. on September 22, 2023.

Eric J. Velez,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2023-20396 Filed 9-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


