[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 31848-31850]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-13644]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0427]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; M/V Del Monte Live-Fire Gun Exercise, James River, 
Isle of Wight, Virginia

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
navigable waters of the James River in Isle of Wight, VA. This action 
is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters 
during the live-fire gun exercises on the M/V Del Monte. This action is 
intended to restrict vessel traffic movement to protect mariners from 
the hazards associated with the live-fire gun exercise.

DATES: This rule will be effective from 11 a.m. June 6, 2011 until 4 
p.m. on June 10, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0427 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0427 in the 
``Keyword'' box, and then clicking ``Search.'' They are also available 
for inspection or copying at the 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, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary rule, call or e-mail CWO Carlos A. Hernandez, Waterways 
Management Division Chief, Sector Hampton Roads, Coast Guard; telephone 
757-668-5583, e-mail [email protected]. If you have questions 
on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final 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 31849]]

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 immediate 
action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels transiting in the 
vicinity of where the exercise will be conducted by Navy personnel. 
This exercise is necessary to train and qualify Navy personnel in the 
use of weapons. This training is necessary to ensure that Navy 
personnel located within the Fifth Coast Guard District are properly 
trained and qualified before conducting military and national security 
operations for use in securing ports and waterways. Navy policy 
requires that Navy personnel meet and maintain certain qualification 
standards before being allowed to carry weapons on board vessels. 
Failure to conduct this required training at this time will result in a 
lapse in personnel qualification standards and, consequently, the 
inability of Navy personnel to carry out important national security 
functions at any time. Publishing a NPRM and waiting 30 days for 
comment would be contrary to the public interest because any delay in 
the effective date of this rule would expose mariners, the boating 
public, and divers to the potential hazards associated with the Navy's 
live fire and explosive training exercises.
    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 would 
be contrary to the public interest since immediate action is needed to 
ensure the safety of vessels transiting the area.

Background and Purpose

    Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads was notified that the U.S. Navy 
will conduct a live fire and explosive training event onboard the M/V 
Del Monte in the vicinity of the James River Reserve Fleet. The event 
is scheduled to take place from June 6, 2011 until June 10, 2011. Due 
to the need to protect mariners transiting on the James River in the 
vicinity of the exercise from the hazards associated with live fire and 
explosive events, the Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone bound 
by a 1500 foot radius around approximate position 37[deg]06'11'' N/
076[deg]38'40'' W (NAD 1983). Access to this area will be temporarily 
restricted for public safety purposes.

Discussion of Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a 1500 foot radius safety zone on 
specified waters of James River around approximate position 
37[deg]06'11'' N/076[deg]38'40'' W (NAD 1983) in the vicinity of the 
James River Reserve Fleet. This safety zone is being established in the 
interest of public safety during the live fire and explosive training 
exercise and will be enforced from 11 a.m. on June 6, 2011 until 4 p.m. 
on June 10, 2011. Access to the safety zone will be restricted during 
the specified dates and times. Except for vessels authorized by the 
Captain of the Port or his Representative, no person or vessel may 
enter or remain in the safety zone.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this 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 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. Although this regulation restricts access 
to the safety zone, the effect of this rule will not be significant 
because: (i) The safety zone will be in effect for a limited duration; 
(ii) the zone is of limited size; (iii) mariners may transit the waters 
in and around this safety zone at the discretion of the Captain of the 
Port or designated representative; and (iv), the Coast Guard will make 
notifications via maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their 
plans accordingly.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this 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 rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
    The rule would affect the following entities, some of which might 
be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit or anchor in a portion of the James River from 11 a.m. on June 
6, 2011 until 4 p.m. on June 10, 2011.
    This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: (i) The 
safety zone will only be in place for a limited duration and is of a 
limited size. (ii) Before the enforcement period, maritime advisories 
will be issued allowing mariners to adjust their plans accordingly.
    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 offer to assist small 
entities in understanding the rule so that they can better evaluate its 
effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.
    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.

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 under 
that Order and have

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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 (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.

Taking of Private Property

    This rule will 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 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.

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. 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 rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this 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 concluded 
this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually 
or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. 
This rule is categorically excluded, Under figure 2-1, paragraph 
(34)(g), of the Instruction. This rule involves a temporary safety zone 
that will be in effect for only five days and is intended to keep 
mariners safe from the hazards associated with live fire and explosive 
exercises. An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical 
exclusion determination will be available in the docket where indicated 
under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, and Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR part 165 subpart C 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:  33 U.S.C. 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, 160.5; Pub. L. 
107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T05-0427 to read as follows:

Safety Zone; M/V Del Monte Live-Fire Gun Exercise, James River, Isle of 
Wight, Virginia

    (a) Regulated Area. The following area is a safety zone: All waters 
in the vicinity of the James River Reserve Fleet on the James River 
within a 1500 foot radius of position 37[deg]06[min]11[sec] N/
076[deg]38[min]40[sec] W (NAD 1983).
    (b) Definition. For the purposes of this part, Captain of the Port 
Representative means any U.S. Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or 
petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port, 
Hampton Roads, Virginia to act on his behalf.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Hampton Roads or his designated 
representatives.
    (2) The operator of any vessel in the immediate vicinity of this 
safety zone shall:
    (i) Stop the vessel immediately upon being directed to do so by any 
commissioned, warrant or petty officer on shore or on board a vessel 
that is displaying a U.S. Coast Guard Ensign.
    (ii) Proceed as directed by any commissioned, warrant or petty 
officer on shore or on board a vessel that is displaying a U.S. Coast 
Guard Ensign.
    (3) The Captain of the Port, Hampton Roads can be reached through 
the Sector Duty Officer at Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth, Virginia 
at telephone Number (757) 668-5555.
    (4) The Coast Guard Representatives enforcing the safety zone can 
be contacted on VHF-FM marine band radio channel 13 (165.65Mhz) and 
channel 16 (156.8 Mhz).
    (d) Enforcement Period. This rule will be enforced from 11 a.m. on 
June 6, 2011 until 4 p.m. on June 10, 2011.

    Dated: May 18, 2011.
Mark S. Ogle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Hampton Roads.
[FR Doc. 2011-13644 Filed 6-1-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P