[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 242 (Friday, December 16, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 78159-78161]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-32229]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2011-1122]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Submarine Cable Installation Project; Chicago River 
South Branch, Chicago, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Chicago River South Branch near Chicago, Illinois. This zone is 
intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the Chicago River South 
Branch due to the installation of submarine cables in the vicinity of 
the Madison Street Bridge. This temporary safety zone is necessary to 
protect the surrounding public and vessels from the hazards associated 
with the installation of submarine cables in the vicinity of the 
Madison Street Bridge. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan 
or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. on December 
16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-1122 and are available online 
by going to www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-1122 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, contact or email BM1 Adam Kraft, U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector Lake Michigan, at (414) 747-7148 or [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 an agency for good cause finds that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under 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. The final details for this project were not 
received by the Coast Guard until December 1, 2011, less than four 
weeks before the start of the submarine cable installation project. 
Waiting for a comment period to run would prevent the Coast Guard from 
performing its statutory function of protecting life on navigable 
waters and thus would be impractical and contrary to the public 
interest.
    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 
prevent the Coast Guard from performing its statutory function of 
protecting life on navigable waters and thus would be impractical and 
contrary to the public interest.

Basis and Purpose

    The submarine cable installation project in the vicinity of the 
Madison Street Bridge will occur from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. on December 16, 
2011. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect vessels from 
the hazards associated with those submarine cable installation efforts. 
The hazards associated with the installation of submarine cables pose 
serious risks of injury to persons and property. As such, the Captain 
of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, has determined that the submarine 
cable installation project in the vicinity of the Madison Street Bridge

[[Page 78160]]

does pose significant risks to public safety and property and that a 
safety zone is necessary.

Discussion of Rule

    The safety zone will encompass all U.S. navigable waters of the 
Chicago River South Branch in the vicinity of the Madison Street Bridge 
between Mile Marker 325.1 and Mile Marker 325.5 of the Chicago River 
South Branch in Chicago, Illinois.
    All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the 
Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or a designated 
representative. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety 
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector 
Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative. The Captain of 
the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative 
may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

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, 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 those Orders.
    It is not ``significant'' under the regulatory policies and 
procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We conclude 
that this rule is not a significant regulatory action because we 
anticipate that it will have minimal impact on the economy, will not 
interfere with other agencies, will not adversely alter the budget of 
any grant or loan recipients, and will not raise any novel legal or 
policy issues. The safety zone around the bridge project will be 
relatively small and exist for relatively short time. Thus, 
restrictions on vessel movement within that particular area are 
expected to be minimal. Under certain conditions, moreover, vessels may 
still transit through the safety zone when permitted by the Captain of 
the Port.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this rule will 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 might 
be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit or anchor in the vicinity of the Madison Street Bridge between 
Mile Marker 325.1 and Mile Marker 325.5 of the Chicago River South 
Branch between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. on December 16, 2011.
    This temporary safety zone will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following 
reasons: This rule will only be enforced while unsafe conditions exist. 
Vessel traffic will be minimal due to the fact that the location of the 
safety zone is in an area that typically does not experience high 
volumes of vessel traffic during the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. 
Several commercial traffic entities have already been contacted 
concerning this closure and have confirmed that the effective period of 
the closure will not affect them in a negative way.
    In the event that this temporary safety zone affects shipping, 
commercial vessels may request permission from the Captain of The Port, 
Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her on scene representative to transit 
through the safety zone. The Coast Guard will give notice to the public 
via a Broadcast to Mariners that the regulation is in effect.

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 could 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 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 concern 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

[[Page 78161]]

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 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 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 the establishment of a 
safety zone and is therefore categorically excluded under paragraph 
34(g) of the Instruction.
    A final environmental analysis check list and 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, and 160.5; Pub. 
L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T09-1122 to read as follows


Sec.  165.T09-1122  Safety Zone; Submarine Cable Installation Project, 
Chicago River South Branch, Chicago, IL

    (a) Location. The safety zone will encompass all U.S. navigable 
waters of the Chicago River South Branch in the vicinity of the Madison 
Street Bridge between Mile Marker 325.1 and Mile Marker 325.5 of the 
Chicago River South Branch in Chicago, IL. [DATUM: NAD 83].
    (b) Effective and Enforcement Period. This rule is effective and 
enforceable between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m. on December 16, 2011.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
33 CFR part 165, subpart C, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within 
this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.
    (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or a 
designated representative.
    (3) The ``designated representative'' of the Captain of the Port, 
Sector Lake Michigan, is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty 
officer who has been designated by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake 
Michigan, to act on his or her behalf. The designated representative of 
the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, will be on land in the 
vicinity of the safety zone and will have constant communications with 
the involved safety vessels which will be provided by the contracting 
company, James McHugh Construction.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone shall contact the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or 
his or her designated representative to obtain permission to do so. The 
Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated 
representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16. Vessel operators 
given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone must comply 
with all directions given to them by the Captain of the Port, Sector 
Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

    Dated: December 5, 2011.
M.W. Sibley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 2011-32229 Filed 12-15-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P