[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 24 (Friday, February 5, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5907-5909]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-2470]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2010-0002]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Dive Platform, Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes a temporary safety zone around a dive 
platform vessel in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, while diving 
operations are under way in and around the CHEHALIS wreck. The safety 
zone is necessary to protect other vessels and the general public from 
hazards associated with dive operations. Entry into or remaining in the 
safety zone during the effective period would be prohibited unless 
authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Honolulu.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before March 8, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2010-0002 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand Delivery: Same as mail address above between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or e-mail Lieutenant Commander Marcella Granquist, Waterways 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu, telephone 808-
522-8266, extention 352, e-mail [email protected]. If you 
have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call 
Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-
9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2010-0002), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online (via http://www.regulations.gov) or by fax, mail, or hand 
delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a 
comment online via http://www.regulations.gov, it will be considered 
received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. 
If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered 
as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the 
Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and 
a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in the body 
of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become 
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu select 
``Proposed Rule'' and insert ``USCG-2010-0002'' in the ``Keyword'' box. 
Click ``Search'' then click on the balloon shape in the ``Actions'' 
column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit 
them in an unbound format, no larger than 8[frac12] by 11 inches, 
suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by 
mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please 
enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will 
consider all comments and material received during the comment period 
and may change the rule based on your comments.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``read comments'' box, which will then become highlighted 
in blue. In the ``Keyword'' box insert ``USCG-2010-0002'' and click 
``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column. 
You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on 
the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an 
agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket 
Management Facility.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one using one of the four methods specified under 
ADDRESSES. Please explain why you believe a public meeting 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

    On October 7, 1949 the 4,130-ton gasoline tanker CHEHALIS sank in 
Pago Pago Inner Harbor, in an estimated 160 feet of water, 
approximately 350-feet from the fuel dock located near Goat Island 
Point, Pago Pago, American Samoa. Today, the CHEHALIS wreck remains a 
potential pollution threat to the environment. The U.S. Coast Guard is 
scheduled to conduct dive operations to mitigate the wreck's potential 
pollution threat to the area from March 29, 2010 through April 17, 
2010.

[[Page 5908]]

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The proposed rule would establish a temporary safety zone extending 
200 feet (67 meters) in radius around the wreck CHEHALIS, and from the 
surface of the water to the ocean floor. The wreck's approximate 
position is 14[deg]16.52' S, 170[deg]40.56' W, and approximately 350 
feet north of the fuel dock in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa. This 
safety zone would be effective from 6 a.m. on March 29, 2010 through 8 
p.m. on April 17, 2010 (local American Samoa Time). Entry into or 
remaining in the safety zone during the effective period would be 
prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port 
Honolulu.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Regulatory Planning and Review

    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 rule to be so minimal that a 
full Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary. Vessels will be able to 
transit around the zone, and Sector Honolulu Captain of the Port may 
allow vessels in the zone on a case-by-case basis.

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. Vessels will be allowed to transit around the 
200-foot temporary Safety Zone that will be centered over the CHEHALIS 
wreck at approximately 350 feet from the fuel dock in Pago Pago Inner 
Harbor, American Samoa. If you think that your business, organization, 
or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this 
proposed 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 Lieutenant Commander Marcella 
Granquist, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard Sector 
Honolulu, telephone 808-842-2600, e-mail [email protected]. 
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 proposed 
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 discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this 
preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would 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 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

[[Page 5909]]

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 Department of Homeland 
Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lD, 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 this action is one of a 
category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a 
significant effect on the human environment. A preliminary 
environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination is 
available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. This rule 
would be categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), 
of the Instruction because it would establish a safety zone. We seek 
any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a 
significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.

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 proposes 
to amend 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. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 
3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 
Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.

    2. Add Sec.  165.T14-199 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T14-199  Safety Zone; Dive Platform Vessel, Pago Pago Harbor, 
American Samoa.

    (a) Location. The following area is a temporary safety zone: All 
waters within a 200 foot (67 meter) radius around the dive platform 
vessel while it is performing dive operations in and around the 
CHEHALIS wreck. This safety zone extends from the surface of the water 
to the ocean floor. The wreck's approximate position is 14[deg]16.52' 
S, 170[deg]40.56' W, which is approximately 350 feet north of the fuel 
dock in Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa. These coordinates are based 
upon the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Coast Survey, 
Pacific Ocean, Samoa Islands, chart 83484.
    (b) Prohibited activities. (1) Entry into or remaining in the 
safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited 
unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Honolulu.
    (2) Persons desiring to transit the safety zone may contact the 
Captain of the Port at telephone number 1-808-842-2600, the U.S. Coast 
Guard Marine Safety Detachment American Samoa at telephone number 1-
684-633-2299, or the dive platform vessel on VHF channel 16 (156.800 
MHz) or VHF channel 13 (156.650 MHz) to seek permission to transit the 
area. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply 
with the instructions of the Captain of the Port or his designated 
representative.
    (c) Effective period. This rule is effective from 6 a.m. local 
American Samoa time on March 29, 2010 through 8 p.m. local American 
Samoa time on April 17, 2010.
    (d) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 33 
CFR part 165, subpart C, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the 
zone except for support vessels/aircraft and support personnel, or 
other vessels authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated 
representatives.
    (e) Penalties. Vessels or persons violating this rule would be 
subject to the penalties set forth in 33 U.S.C. 1232 and 50 U.S.C. 192.

    Dated: January 11, 2010.
B.A. Compagnoni,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Honolulu.
[FR Doc. 2010-2470 Filed 2-4-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P