[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7073-7075]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-3464]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[COTP San Diego 03-009]
RIN 2115-AA97
Security Zone; San Diego Bay
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is temporarily expanding the geographical
boundaries of the permanent security zone at Naval Submarine Base San
Diego, California (33 CFR 165.1103) at the request of the U.S. Navy.
The additional size will accommodate the Navy's placement of anti-small
boat barrier booms on the perimeter of the zone. Entry into this zone
is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, the
Commander, Naval Base San Diego, or the Commander, Submarine Force,
U.S. Pacific Fleet Representative, West Coast.
DATES: This rule is effective from 11:59 p.m. on February 11, 2003 to
11:59 p.m. on May 11, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in
the docket are part of docket [COTP San Diego 03-009], and are
available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety
Office San Diego, 2716 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego California 92101,
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Rick Sorrell,
Chief of Port Operations, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at (619) 683-
6495.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Regulatory Information
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this
temporary regulation. Under 5 U.S.C.
[[Page 7074]]
553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not
publishing an NPRM. While the Navy has been implementing many force
protection measures since the attack on the U.S.S. Cole and the attacks
of September 11, 2001, the Chief of Naval Operations has recently
emphasized the need for the expanded use of anti-small boat barrier
booms around Navy vessels in U.S. ports to protect against attacks
similar to the one launched against the U.S.S. Cole. In addition, the
Office of Homeland Security through its Web site has described the
current nationwide threat level as ``Elevated.'' According to the
Office of Homeland Security, an Elevated Condition is declared when
there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. The Coast Guard
believes that issuing an NPRM and thereby delaying implementation of
the expanded security zone would be against the public interest during
this elevated state of alert.
Although we had anticipated using the effective period of the
current temporary final rule to engage in notice and comment
rulemaking, the Captain of the Port has decided to extend the effective
period for 3 months to allow sufficient time to properly develop
permanent regulations tailored to the present and foreseeable security
environment. This extension preserves the status quo within the Port
while a permanent rule is developed.
For the reasons stated in the paragraphs above under 5 U.S.C. 553
(d)(3), the Coast Guard also finds that good cause exists for making
this regulation effective less than 30 days after publication in the
Federal Register. Any delay in implementing this rule would be contrary
to the public interest since immediate action is necessary to ensure
the protection of the Naval vessels, their crew, and national security.
Furthermore, in order to protect the interests of national
security, the Coast Guard is promulgating this temporary regulation to
provide for the safety and security of U.S. Naval vessels in the
navigable waters of the United States. As a result, the establishment
and enforcement of this security zone is a function directly involved
in and necessary to military operations. Accordingly, based on the
military function exception set forth in the Administrative Procedure
Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1), notice and comment rule-making and advance
publication, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d), are not required for
this regulation.
The Coast Guard has plans to make the expansion of the security
zone permanent. Towards that end, the Coast Guard will initiate notice
and comment rulemaking before issuing any final rule.
Background and Purpose
The Coast Guard is expanding the current security zone (33 CFR
165.1103) to allow the U.S. Navy to put anti-small boat barrier booms
at Naval Submarine Base San Diego. The expansion of this security zone
is needed to ensure the physical protection of naval vessels moored in
the area by providing adequate standoff distance. The expansion of this
security zone will also prevent recreational and commercial craft from
interfering with military operations involving all naval vessels home-
ported at Naval Submarine Base San Diego and it will protect transiting
recreational and commercial vessels, and their respective crews, from
the navigational hazards posed by such military operations. In
addition, the Navy has been reviewing all aspects of its anti-terrorism
and force protection posture in response to the attack on the USS COLE
and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The expansion of this
security zone will safeguard vessels and waterside facilities from
destruction, loss, or injury from sabotage or other subversive acts,
accidents, or other causes of a similar nature. Entry into, transit
through, or anchoring within this security zone is prohibited unless
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Commander, U.S. Naval Base San
Diego, or the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Representative, West Coast. Vessels or persons violating this section
would be subject to the penalties set forth in 50 U.S.C. 192 and 18
U.S.C. 3571: Seizure and forfeiture of the vessel, a monetary penalty
of not more than $250,000, and imprisonment for not more than 10 years.
The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of
this security zone by the U.S. Navy.
Regulatory Evaluation
This temporary final rule is not a ``significant regulatory
action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory
Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential
costs and benefits under section 6 (a)(3) of that Order. The Office of
Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not
significant under the regulatory policies and procedures of the
Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979).
The implementation of this security zone is necessary for the
protection of the United States' national security interests. The size
of the zone is the minimum necessary to allow for safe placement of the
anti-small boat booms while providing adequate protection for U.S.
Naval vessels, their crews, adjoining areas, and the public. The
entities most likely to be affected, if any, are pleasure craft engaged
in recreational activities and sightseeing in close proximity to the
Naval Submarine Base. Any hardships experienced by persons or vessels
wishing to approach the Naval Submarine Base are considered minimal
compared to the national interest in protecting U.S. Naval vessels,
their crews, and the public. The expansion of the security zone will
not impact navigation in the shipping channel.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Coast
Guard considered whether this rule would have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small
entities'' includes small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that
are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations less than
50,000.
This security zone will not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities because these security zones are
only closing small portions of the navigable waters adjacent to Naval
Base San Diego. In addition, there are no small entities shoreward of
the security zone. For these reasons, and the ones discussed in the
previous section, the Coast Guard certifies, under 5 U.S.C. 605(b),
that this temporary final rule will not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Assistance for Small Entities
In accordance with section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), the Coast Guard
offers to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they
can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the
rulemaking process. If your small business or organization is affected
by this rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or
options for compliance, please contact Lieutenant Commander Rick
Sorrell, Chief of Port Operations, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at
(619) 683-6495.
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
[[Page 7075]]
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).
Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial
direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule and have
determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.
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 or more in any
one year. Though this rule will not result in such expenditure, we do
discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.
Taking of Private Property
This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property
Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2)
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule
is not an economically significant rule and does not create an
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may
disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
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.
To help the Coast Guard establish regular and meaningful
consultation and collaboration with Indian and Alaskan Native tribes,
we published a notice in the Federal Register (66 FR 36361, July 11,
2001) requesting comments on how to best carry out the Order. We invite
your comments on how this proposed rule might impact tribal
governments, even if that impact may not constitute a ``tribal
implication'' under the Order.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use
of energy. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects
under Executive Order 13211.
Environment
We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and
concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of Commandant
Instruction M16475.lD, this rule, which temporarily modifies an
existing security zone, is categorically excluded from further
environmental documentation. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination''
is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated
under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record
keeping 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
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(g),
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.
Sec. 165.1103 [Suspended]
2. Temporarily suspend Sec. 165.1103 from 11:59 p.m. on February
11, 2003 to 11:59 p.m. on May 11, 2003.
3. Add new temporary Sec. 165.T11-031 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T11-031 Security Zone: San Diego Bay, CA.
(a) Location. The following area is a security zone: The water area
adjacent to Naval Submarine Base, San Diego, California, described as
follows: Commencing at a point on the shoreline of Ballast Point, at
32[deg] 41' 11.2''N, 117[deg] 13' 57.0''W. (Point A), thence northerly
to 32[deg] 41' 31.8''N, 117[deg] 14' 00.6''W. (Point B), thence
westerly to 32[deg] 41' 32.7''N, 117[deg] 14' 03.2''W. (Point C),
thence southwesterly to 32[deg] 41' 30.5''N, 117[deg] 14' 17.5''W.
(Point D), thence generally southeasterly along the shoreline of the
Naval Submarine Base to the point of beginning, (Point A).
(b) Effective dates. This section is effective from 11:59 p.m. on
February 11, 2003 to 11:59 p.m. on May 11, 2003.
(c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in
Sec. 165.33 of this part, entry into the area of this zone is
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, the Commander,
Naval Base San Diego, or the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific
Fleet Representative, West Coast.
(d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol
and enforcement of this security zone by the U.S. Navy.
Dated: January 28, 2003.
Stephen P. Metruck,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Diego.
[FR Doc. 03-3464 Filed 2-11-03; 8:45 am]
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