[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 120 (Wednesday, June 22, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36318-36320]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-15588]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0432]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Waterway Closure, Morgan City-Port Allen Route From 
Mile Marker 0 to Port Allen Lock

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on 
specified waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way, closing the Morgan 
City-Port Allen Route from MM 0 to the Port Allen lock to all 
commercial traffic. This temporary safety zone is needed to protect the 
general public, levee system, vessels and tows from destruction, loss 
or injury due to hazards associated with rising flood water.

DATES: Effective Date: this rule is effective in the CFR from June 22, 
2011 until 11:59 p.m. July 31, 2011. This rule is effective with actual 
notice for purposes of enforcement beginning 12:01 a.m. May 16, 2011 
through 11:59 p.m. July 31, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0432 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0432 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 Lieutenant (LT) Russell Pickering, Coast 
Guard; telephone 985-380-5334, 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 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 publishing a NPRM would be 
impracticable since immediate action is needed to protect the general 
public, levee system, vessels and tows from the hazards associated with 
rising flood water on the Morgan City-Port Allen Route.
    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. Publishing a NPRM and delaying its 
effective date would be impracticable since immediate action is needed 
to protect the general public, levee system, vessels and tows from 
destruction, loss or injury due to the hazards associated with rising 
flood water on the Morgan City-Port Allen Route.

Basis and Purpose

    Captains of the Port Morgan City and New Orleans, Louisiana have 
determined that there is a need to close certain waterways contingent 
on the predicted river heights and currents. This temporary safety zone 
is needed to protect the general public, levee system, vessels and tows 
from destruction, loss or injury from flood waters and associated 
hazards.

Discussion of Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
specified waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way on the Morgan City-
Port Allen Route from MM 0 to the Port Allen lock. Commercial vessels 
and tows may not enter this zone unless authorized by the Captains of 
the Port Morgan City or New Orleans.

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

[[Page 36319]]

Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under 
that Order.
    Although this regulation will restrict access to the area, the 
effect of the rule will not be significant because notifications to the 
marine community will be made through broadcast notices to mariners and 
Local Notices to Mariners and Marine Safety Information Bulletins. 
Vessels requiring entry into or passage through the temporary safety 
zone may request permission from the Captains of the Port Morgan City 
or New Orleans, or a designated representative and entry will be 
evaluated on a case-by-case-basis to minimize impact and protect the 
general public, levee system, vessels and tows from destruction, loss 
or injury due to the hazards associated with rising flood water.

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. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which 
may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit through the temporary safety zone from May 16, 2011 through 
July 31, 2011. This temporary safety zone is not expected to have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
because vessels requiring entry into or passage through the temporary 
safety zone may request permission from the Captains of the Port Morgan 
City or New Orleans, or a designated representative.
    If you are a small business entity and are significantly affected 
by this regulation, please contact LT Russell Pickering, Marine Safety 
Unit Morgan City, at (985) 380-5334.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 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 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 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

[[Page 36320]]

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 an emergency 
situation and will be in effect for over one week, but is not expected 
to result in any significant adverse environmental impact as described 
in NEPA.
    An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion 
determination will be provided and made available at the docket as 
indicated in the ADDRESSES section.

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:  33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 
50U.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.


0
2. A new temporary Sec.  165.T08-0432 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0432  Safety Zone; Waterway Closure, Morgan City-Port 
Allen Route from Mile Marker 0 to Port Allen Lock.

    (a) Location. Waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Water Way on the 
Morgan City--Port Allen route from MM 0 to the Port Allen lock.
    (b) Effective date. This rule is effective May 16, 2011 through 
July 31, 2011.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captains of the Port Morgan City or New Orleans.
    (2) Vessels requiring entry into or passage through the Safety Zone 
must request permission from the Captains of the Port Morgan City or 
New Orleans, or a designated representative. They may be contacted on 
VHF Channel 13 or 16, or by telephone at 985-380-5370.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the Captains of the Port Morgan City or New Orleans and designated on-
scene patrol personnel. On-scene patrol personnel include commissioned, 
warrant, and petty officers of the U.S. Coast Guard.

    Dated: May 16, 2011.
J.C. Burton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Morgan City, Louisiana.
E.M. Stanton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New Orleans, Louisiana.
[FR Doc. 2011-15588 Filed 6-21-11; 8:45 am]
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