
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 216 (Thursday, November 9, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 77205-77207]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24791]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0788]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Hillsborough Bay, Tampa, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all navigable waters of Tampa Bay between the Tampa Convention Center 
and the Tampa General Hospital at the base of Seddon Channel. The 
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by the police exercise. 
Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, St. Petersburg or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. through 3 p.m. on November 
29, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0788 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 about this rule, 
call or email Marine Science Technician First Class Mara J. Brown, 
Sector St. Petersburg Prevention Department, Coast Guard; telephone 
813-228-2191, 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

[[Page 77206]]

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 would 
be impracticable. Immediate action is needed to protect vessels, and 
the marine environment in small portion of the Hillsborough Bay within 
the safety zone while the exercise is being conducted. The Coast Guard 
lacks sufficient time to provide for a comment period and then consider 
those comments before issuing the rule since this rule is needed by 
November 29, 2023.
    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 because immediate action is needed in 
order to protect vessels, and the marine environment in small portion 
of the Hillsborough Bay within the safety zone while the exercise is 
being conducted.

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 St Petersburg (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the police on November 29, 2023, will 
be a safety concern for anyone within the waters of the Tampa 
Convention Center and Tampa General Hospital. This rule is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable 
waters within the safety zone while the exercise is being conducted.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m. on 
November 29, 2023. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters 
between the Tampa Convention Center and the Tampa General Hospital at 
the base of Seddon Channel. The duration of the zone is intended to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these 
navigable waters while the Tampa Police exercise is being conducted. No 
vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. 
Vessels may be directed through the safety zone by on scene law 
enforcement personnel.

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 section 3(f) of 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, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic 
will be able to safely transit around this safety zone which would 
impact a small, designated area where the Hillsborough River and Seddon 
Channel meet. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue a Broadcast Notice 
to Mariners via BHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule 
would allow 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 
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.

[[Page 77207]]

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 lasting only 8 hours during the police exercise. 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--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, 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.T07-0788 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T07-0788  Safety Zone; Hillsborough River, Tampa, FL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of Hillsborough Bay, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a 
line connecting the following points: 27[deg]56'16'' N, 082[deg]27'40'' 
W, thence to position 27[deg]56'18'' N, 082[deg]27'43'' W, thence to 
position 27[deg]56'30'' N, 082[deg]27'33'' W, thence to position 
27[deg]56'30'' N, 082[deg]27'29'' W, thence to position 27[deg]56'25'' 
N, 082[deg]27'17'' W, thence to position 27[deg]56'22'' N, 
082[deg]27'16'' W, thence to position 27[deg]56'13'' N, 082[deg]27'19'' 
W, thence to position 27[deg]56'12'' N, 082[deg]27'24'' W, thence to 
position 27[deg]56'23'' N, 082[deg]27'32'' W, and along the shoreline 
back to the beginning point. These coordinates are based on World 
Geodetic System (WGS 84).
    (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 St. Petersburg (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, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative via VHF radio on channel 16. 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.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7 a.m. 
until 3 p.m. on November 29, 2023.

    Dated: November 2, 2023.
Michael P. Kahle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port St. Petersburg.
[FR Doc. 2023-24791 Filed 11-8-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


