[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 199 (Friday, October 14, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63841-63844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-26544]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0929]
RIN 1625-AA87


Security Zone; Potomac River, Georgetown Channel, Washington, DC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone 
encompassing certain waters of the Potomac River, Georgetown Channel, 
in Washington, DC, in order to safeguard high-ranking public officials 
from terrorist acts and incidents. This action is necessary to ensure 
the safety of persons and property, and prevent terrorist acts or 
incidents. This rule prohibits vessels and people from entering the 
security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to 
depart the security zone, unless specifically exempt under the 
provisions in this rule or granted specific permission from the Coast 
Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore.

DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on October 16, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-

[[Page 63842]]

0929 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, 
inserting USCG-2011-0929 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 Mr. Ronald L. Houck, at Sector Baltimore 
Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone 410-576-2674, 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 it is contrary to public interest to 
delay the effective date of this rule. The Coast Guard is establishing 
the security zone to protect high-ranking government officials, 
mitigate potential terrorist acts, and enhance public and maritime 
safety and security. The Coast Guard was unable to publish a NPRM due 
to the short time period between event planners notifying the Coast 
Guard of the event and publication of the security zone. Furthermore, 
delaying the effective date would be contrary to the security zone's 
intended objectives of protecting high-ranking government officials, 
mitigating potential terrorist acts and enhancing public and maritime 
safety security.
    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. Due to the need for immediate 
action, the restriction of vessel traffic is necessary to protect life, 
property and the environment, therefore, a 30-day notice period is 
impracticable. Delaying the effective date would be contrary to the 
security zone's intended objectives of protecting high-ranking 
government officials, mitigating potential terrorist acts and enhancing 
public and maritime safety and security.

Background and Purpose

    The President is expected to attend the Martin Luther King, Jr. 
National Memorial dedication ceremony in Washington, DC on October 16, 
2011. The ceremony is located along the waterfront in Washington, DC, 
in close proximity to navigable waterways within the Captain of the 
Port's Area of Responsibility.
    The Coast Guard has given each Coast Guard Captain of the Port the 
ability to implement comprehensive port security regimes designed to 
safeguard human life, vessels, and waterfront facilities while still 
sustaining the flow of commerce. The Captain of the Port Baltimore is 
establishing this security zone to protect high-ranking government 
officials, mitigate potential terrorist acts, and enhance public and 
maritime safety and security in order to safeguard life, property, and 
the environment on or near the navigable waters.

Discussion of Rule

    Through this regulation, the Coast Guard will establish a security 
zone. The security zone will be in effect from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m. on 
October 16, 2011. The security zone will include all navigable waters 
of the Potomac River, Georgetown Channel, within 75 yards from eastern 
shore measured perpendicularly to the shore between the Theodore 
Roosevelt Memorial Bridge and the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and within 
150 yards from eastern shore measured perpendicularly to the shore from 
the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the George Mason Memorial Bridge (the 
most western bridge of the 5-span, Fourteenth Street Bridge Complex), 
including all waters of the Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin, located in 
Washington, DC. This location is entirely within the Area of 
Responsibility of the Captain of the Port Baltimore, as set forth at 33 
CFR 3.25-15.
    This rule requires that entry into, attempted entry into, or 
remaining in this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the 
Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore. Except for persons or 
vessels authorized by the Captain of the Port Baltimore, no person or 
vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area during the enforcement 
period. All vessels underway within the security zone at the time it is 
in effect are to depart the zone immediately. To seek permission to 
transit the area, the Captain of the Port Baltimore can be contacted at 
telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 
16 (156.8 MHz). Coast Guard vessels enforcing the security zone can be 
contacted on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The 
Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners to further 
publicize the security 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 security zone restricts 
vessel traffic from transiting through the affected area, vessels may 
transit safely around the zone. Furthermore, the effect of this 
regulation will not be significant due to the limited size and duration 
that the regulated area will be in effect. In addition, notifications 
will be made to the maritime community via marine information 
broadcasts so mariners may 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. This rule may affect the following entities, some of which 
might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending 
to operate or transit through or within the security zone during the 
enforcement period. The security zone will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial

[[Page 63843]]

number of small entities for the following reasons. The security zone 
is of limited size and duration. Vessel traffic may safely transit 
around the zone. Before the effective period, maritime advisories will 
be widely available to the maritime community.

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 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 establishing a 
temporary security zone. 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 Sec.  165.T05-0929 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0929  Security Zone; Potomac River, Georgetown Channel, 
Washington, DC.

    (a) Location. The following area is a security zone: All waters of 
the Potomac River, Georgetown Channel, within 75 yards from eastern 
shore measured perpendicularly to the shore between the Theodore 
Roosevelt Memorial Bridge and the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and within 
150 yards from eastern shore measured perpendicularly

[[Page 63844]]

to the shore from the Arlington Memorial Bridge to the George Mason 
Memorial Bridge (the most western bridge of the 5-span, Fourteenth 
Street Bridge Complex), including all waters of the Georgetown Channel 
Tidal Basin, located in Washington, DC.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section:
    Captain of the Port Baltimore means the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector Baltimore.
    Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Baltimore to assist in enforcing the security zone described in 
paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Regulations. The general security zone regulations found in 33 
CFR 165.33 apply to the security zone created by this temporary 
section, Sec.  165.T05-0929.
    (1) All persons are required to comply with the general regulations 
governing security zones found in 33 CFR 165.33.
    (2) Entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore. All 
vessels underway within this security zone at the time it is 
implemented are to depart the zone.
    (3) Persons desiring to transit the area of the security zone must 
first obtain authorization from the Captain of the Port Baltimore or 
his designated representative. To seek permission to transit the area, 
the Captain of the Port Baltimore and his designated representatives 
can be contacted at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band 
Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing 
this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 
(156.8 MHz). Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, or other 
Federal, State, or local agency vessel, by siren, radio, flashing 
light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as 
directed. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply 
with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his 
designated representative and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to 
maintain a safe course while within the zone.
    (4) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 
and enforcement of the zones by Federal, State, and local agencies.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 6 a.m. 
until 6 p.m. on October 16, 2011.

    Dated: September 30, 2011.
Mark P. O'Malley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Baltimore.
[FR Doc. 2011-26544 Filed 10-13-11; 8:45 am]
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