[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 168 (Tuesday, August 30, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 53829-53831]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-22074]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0691]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; ESI Ironman 70.3 Augusta Triathlon, Savannah River, 
Augusta, GA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
waters of the Savannah River in Augusta, Georgia during the ESI Ironman 
70.3 Augusta Triathlon on Sunday, September 25, 2011. The temporary 
safety zone is necessary for the safety of the race participants, 
participant vessels, spectators, and the general public during the 1.1 
mile swim portion of the competition. Persons and vessels are 
prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or 
remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of 
the Port Savannah or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. on September 
25, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0691 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0691 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 final rule, call or e-mail Marine Science Technician Third 
Class Timothy R. Estep, Marine Safety Unit Savannah Office of Waterways 
Management, Coast Guard; telephone 912-652-4353, 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 the Coast Guard did not receive 
necessary information regarding the ESI Ironman 70.3 Augusta Triathlon 
until July 7, 2011. As a result, the Coast Guard did not have 
sufficient time to publish an NPRM and to receive public comments prior 
to the event. Any delay in the effective date of this rule would be 
contrary to the public interest because immediate action is needed to 
minimize the potential danger to the race participants, participant 
vessels, spectators, and the general public.
    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. Immediate action is necessary in 
order to restrict vessel movement and ensure maritime public safety 
during this event.

Basis and Purpose

    The legal basis for the rule is the Coast Guard's authority to 
establish regulated navigation areas and other limited access areas: 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; Public Law 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; 
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
    The purpose of the rule is to ensure the safety of the swimmers, 
participant vessels, spectators, and the general public during the ESI 
Ironman 70.3 Augusta Triathlon.

Discussion of Rule

    On Sunday, September 25, 2011, the ESI Ironman 70.3 Augusta 
Triathlon is scheduled to take place in Augusta, Georgia. This event 
includes a 1.1 mile swim that will take place on the waters of the 
Savannah River. The swim starts at the 6th Street Railroad Bridge and 
finishes at Mile Post 198.
    The safety zone encompasses certain waters of the Savannah River in 
Augusta, Georgia. The safety zone will be enforced from 7 a.m. until 
11:59 a.m. on September 25, 2011. Persons and vessels are prohibited 
from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within 
the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Savannah 
or a designated representative. Persons and vessels desiring to enter, 
transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone may 
contact the Captain of the Port Savannah by telephone at 912-652-4353, 
or a designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16, to request 
authorization. If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, 
or remain within the safety zone is granted by the Captain of the Port 
Savannah or a designated representative, all persons and vessels 
receiving such authorization must comply with the instructions of the 
Captain of the Port Savannah or a designated representative. The Coast 
Guard will provide notice of the safety zone by Local Notice to 
Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and on-scene designated 
representatives.

[[Page 53830]]

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.

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Executive Order 12866 
or under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management 
and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order.
    The economic impact of this rule is not significant for the 
following reasons: (1) The safety zone will be enforced for only five 
hours; (2) although persons and vessels will not be able to enter, 
transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone without 
authorization from the Captain of the Port Savannah or a designated 
representative, they may operate in the surrounding area during the 
enforcement period; (3) persons and vessels may still enter, transit 
through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone if authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Savannah or a designated representative; and 
(4) the Coast Guard will provide advance notification of the safety 
zone to the local maritime community by Local Notice to Mariners and 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

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 may affect the following entities, some of which 
may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to 
enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within that portion of the 
Savannah River encompassed within the safety zone from 7 a.m. until 
11:59 a.m. on September 25, 2011. For the reasons discussed in the 
Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563 section above, this 
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities.

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 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 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.

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

[[Page 53831]]

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 that 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 the establishment of a temporary 
safety zone on the waters of the Savannah River that will be enforced 
for a total of five hours. An environmental analysis checklist and a 
categorical exclusion determination are 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, 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; 
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 a temporary Sec.  165.T07-0691 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T07-0691  Safety Zone; ESI Ironman 70.3 Augusta Triathlon, 
Savannah River, Augusta, GA.

    (a) Regulated Area. The following regulated area is a safety zone. 
All waters of the Savannah River encompassed within an imaginary line 
connecting the following points: starting at Point 1 in position 
33[deg]28'44'' N, 81[deg]57'53'' W; thence northeast to Point 2 in 
position 33[deg]28'50'' N, 81[deg]57'50'' W; thence southeast to Point 
3 in position 33[deg]27'51'' N, 81[deg]55'36'' W; thence southwest to 
Point 4 in position 33[deg]27'47'' N, 81[deg]55'43'' W; thence 
northwest back to origin. All coordinates are North American Datum 
1983.
    (b) Definition. The term ``designated representative'' means Coast 
Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty 
officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and 
Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port Savannah in the enforcement of the regulated area.
    (c) Regulations.
    (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, 
transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated 
area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Savannah or a 
designated representative.
    (2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the Captain of the 
Port Savannah by telephone at 912-652-4353, or a designated 
representative via VHF radio on channel 16, to request authorization. 
If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within 
the regulated area is granted by the Captain of the Port Savannah or a 
designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such 
authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the 
Port Savannah or a designated representative.
    (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by 
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and on-scene 
designated representatives.
    (d) Effective Date. This rule is effective from 7 a.m. until 11:59 
a.m. on September 25, 2011.

    Dated: August 8, 2011.
J.B. Loring,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Savannah.
[FR Doc. 2011-22074 Filed 8-29-11; 8:45 am]
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