[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 31 (Thursday, February 14, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8635-8637]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-2692]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[Docket No. USCG-2007-0199]
RIN 1625-AA01


Anchorage Regulations; Boston Harbor, MA, Weymouth Fore River

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish Gull Point(PT) Special 
Anchorage area in the Weymouth Fore River, Weymouth, Massachusetts. 
This proposed action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and 
provide a safe and secure anchorage for vessels of not more than 65 
feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life 
and property in the Weymouth Fore River, improve the safety of anchored 
vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel 
traffic and commerce.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before April 14, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(dpw) (USCG-2007-0199), First Coast Guard District, 408 Atlantic Ave., 
Boston, MA 02110, or deliver them to room 628 at the same address 
between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays. Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or 
copying at room 628, First Coast Guard District Boston, between 8 a.m. 
and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John J. Mauro, Commander (dpw), 
First Coast Guard District, 408 Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110, 
Telephone (617) 223-8355 or e-mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name 
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2007-
0199), indicate the specific section of this document to which each 
comment applies, and give the reason for each

[[Page 8636]]

comment. Please submit all comments and related material in an unbound 
format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If 
you would like to know they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-
addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and 
material received during the comment period. We may change this 
proposed rule in view of them.

Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for a meeting by writing to the Waterways Management Branch at 
the address under ADDRESSES explaining why one would be beneficial. If 
we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a 
time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

    The rule is intended to reduce the risk of vessel collisions by 
decreasing activity in nearby over-crowded mooring areas or anchorages 
in Weymouth, Massachusetts. The proposed rule would establish Gull 
Point(PT) Special Anchorage, to allow anchorage for approximately 40 
vessels. When at anchor in any special anchorage, vessels not more than 
65 feet in length need not carry or exhibit the white anchor lights 
required by the Navigation Rules.
    In developing this proposed rule, the Coast Guard has consulted 
with the Army Corps of Engineers, Northeast, located at 696 Virginia 
Rd., Concord, MA 01742.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The proposed rule would establish Gull Point (PT) Special Anchorage 
located in the Weymouth Fore River, Weymouth, Massachusetts. The 
special anchorage for the Weymouth Fore River is enclosed by a line 
beginning at latitude 42[deg]15[min]05[sec] N, longitude 
70[deg]57[min]26[sec] W; thence to latitude 42[deg]15[min]00[sec] N, 
longitude 70[deg]57[min]26[sec] W; thence to latitude 
42[deg]15[min]15[sec] N, longitude 70[deg]56[min]50[sec] W; thence to 
latitude 42[deg]15[min]18[sec] N, longitude 70[deg]56[min]50[sec] W; 
thence to the point of the beginning. All proposed coordinates are 
North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).
    This special anchorage area would be limited to vessels no greater 
than 65 feet in length. Vessels not more than 65 feet in length are not 
required to sound signals as required by rule 35 of the Inland 
Navigation Rules (33 U.S.C. 2035) nor exhibit anchor lights or shapes 
required by rule 30 of the Inland Navigation Rules (33 U.S.C. 2030) 
when at anchor in a special anchorage area.
    Additionally, mariners using the anchorage areas are encouraged to 
contact local and state authorities, such as the local harbormaster, to 
ensure compliance with any additional applicable state and local laws. 
Such laws may involve, for example, compliance with direction from the 
local harbormaster when placing or using moorings within the anchorage.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposed 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.
    We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary.
    This finding is based on the fact that this proposal conforms to 
the changing needs of the Town of Weymouth, the changing needs of 
recreational, fishing and commercial vessels, and makes the best use of 
the available navigable water. This proposed special anchorage area, 
while in the interest of safe navigation and protection of the vessels 
moored at the Town of Weymouth, does not impede the passage of vessels 
intending to transit Weymouth Fore River. Thus, the special anchorage 
area will have a minimal economic impact.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 proposed 
rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.
    This proposed rule would affect the following entities, some of 
which might be small entities: The owners or operators of recreational 
or commercial vessels intending to transit in a portion of the Weymouth 
Fore River in and around the special anchorage area. However, this 
anchorage area would not have a significant economic impact on these 
entities for the following reasons: The proposed special area does not 
impede the passage of vessels intending to transit in and around 
Weymouth, which include both small recreational and large commercial 
vessels. Thus, the special anchorage area will not impede safe and 
efficient vessel transits in Weymouth Fore River.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.

Assistance for Small Entities

    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 proposed rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. 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 John J. Mauro, Waterways 
Management Branch, First Coast Guard District Boston at (617) 223-8355 
or e-mail at [email protected]. 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.

Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call 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 proposed rule 
under that Order and have determined that it 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 proposed rule would not result in such an 
expenditure, we do

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discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would not affect 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 proposed 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 proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it would 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.

Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this proposed 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. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lD and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 
5100.1, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have made a preliminary determination that there are no factors in this 
case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 
2.B.2 of the Instruction. Therefore, we believe that this rule should 
be categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(f), of the 
Instruction, from further environmental documentation. This rule fits 
the category selected from paragraph (34)(f) as it would establishing a 
special anchorage area.
    A preliminary ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' is available in 
the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. Comments on this section 
will be considered before we make the final decision on whether the 
rule should be categorically excluded from further environmental review 
and documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 110 as follows:

PART 110--ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS

    1. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471; 1221 through 1236, 2030, 2035 and 
2071; 33 CFR 1.05-1; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.

    2. Amend Sec.  110.30, by redesignating paragraph (k) as paragraph 
(k)(1) and adding paragraph (k)(2) to read as follows:


Sec.  110.30  Boston Harbor, Mass., and adjacent waters.

* * * * *
    (k)(2) Weymouth Fore River, in the vicinity of Gull Point (PT). All 
of the waters enclosed by a line beginning at latitude 42[deg]15'05'' 
N, longitude 70[deg]57'26'' W; thence to latitude 42[deg]15'00'' N, 
longitude 70[deg]57'26'' W; thence to latitude 42[deg]15'15'' N, 
longitude 70[deg]56'50'' W; thence to latitude 42[deg]15'18'' N, 
longitude 70[deg]56'50'' W; thence to the point of the beginning. 
DATUM: NAD 83.

    Note to paragraph (k)(2): The area is principally for use by 
recreational craft. All anchoring in the area shall be under the 
supervision of the local harbor master or such other authority as 
may be designated by the authorities of the Town of Weymouth, 
Massachusetts. All moorings are to be so placed that no moored 
vessel will extend beyond the limit of the anchorage area.

* * * * *

    Dated: January 17, 2008.
Timothy S. Sullivan,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E8-2692 Filed 2-13-08; 8:45 am]
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