[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 73 (Monday, April 16, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 22489-22492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-9006]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[Docket No. USCG-2010-0929]
RIN 1625-AA01


Special Anchorage Regulations, Newport Bay Harbor, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is expanding the boundaries of the special 
anchorage areas in Newport Bay Harbor, California, to encompass and 
replace temporary anchorage grounds C-1 and C-2, and anchorage ground 
C-3. This rule realigns anchorage boundaries to reflect the way the 
harbor currently is used.

DATES: This rule is effective May 16, 2012.

[[Page 22490]]


ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
are part of docket USCG-2010-0929 and are available online by going to 
http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2010-0929 in the ``Keyword'' 
box, and then clicking ``Search.'' This material is 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 rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Lucas Mancini, Coast Guard District Eleven, 
telephone 510-437-3801, email [email protected]. If you have 
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee 
V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    On December 16, 2011 we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled ``Anchorage Regulations: Subpart A--Special Anchorage 
Regulations, Newport Bay Harbor, CA'' in the Federal Register (76 FR 
78185). We received no comments on the proposed rule. No request for 
public meeting was made.

Basis and Purpose

    The legal basis for this rule is: 33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 
2030, 2035, 2071; 33 CFR 1.05-1; and Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1, which collectively authorize the Coast Guard to 
define anchorage grounds.
    This rule expands the designated special anchorage areas in Newport 
Bay Harbor, and removes other anchorage grounds, to align with the 
actual placement of existing mooring areas and reflect the way the 
harbor is currently used.

Background

    Due to enhanced anchorage population over the years, the mooring 
areas being used in Newport Bay Harbor are nominally larger than the 
special anchorage areas originally charted in 33 CFR 110.95. As 
moorings were added or overhauled, the new moorings would fall outside 
the existing boundaries, resulting in moorings lying outside the 
charted areas. Similarly, the anchorage grounds designated in 33 CFR 
110.212 were originally used as temporary overflow anchorages, but are 
now used regularly. Harbor users have been accustomed to this placement 
for the last 10 years.
    The Mooring Master Plan Subcommittee of the City of Newport Harbor 
Commission led an outreach campaign involving a series of public 
meetings about aligning the anchorage regulations with actual harbor 
use patterns, and we understand that it did not receive any opposition 
from the waterway users. After these public meetings, the City of 
Newport asked the Coast Guard to amend its anchorage regulations. The 
Coast Guard therefore solicited public comment on proposed changes in 
the NPRM mentioned above. We received no comment on the proposal.

Discussion of Changes

    The Coast Guard is finalizing the proposal without changes and 
realigning the anchorage boundaries in order to reflect the way the 
harbor currently is used. This rule removes Sec.  110.212 and the three 
anchorage grounds found therein (anchorages C-1, C-2, C-3). The area 
covered by those anchorages is incorporated into the special anchorage 
area regulations at Sec.  110.95. Anchorage C-1 is incorporated into 
area B-1 under revised Sec.  110.95(m), and anchorages C-2 and C-3 is 
incorporated into area A-11 under revised Sec.  110.95(k). An image of 
the anchorage areas is available in the docket.
    The enlargement of the special anchorage areas does not pose any 
waterway or navigational hazard, or restrict harbor use in any way. The 
Army Corps of Engineers has been consulted and did not have any 
opposition. We anticipate that this rule would have no impact on 
fishing or boating because the amendment adjusts the lines to fit the 
current layout of moorings in Newport Harbor. Small craft are not 
restricted in the harbor. Berthing and anchoring in Newport Harbor also 
is regulated by Orange County ordinance and the City of Newport's 
municipal code. The enlargement of the special anchorages does not 
impact these laws; for the convenience of the reader we have included 
references pertaining to local municipal codes in the rule.

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, 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. The Coast Guard is realigning anchorage boundaries in 
order to reflect the way the harbor currently is used. The enlargement 
of the anchorages does not restrict harbor use in any way.

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.
    (1) This rule may affect the following entities, some of which 
might be small entities: The owners or operators of commercial and 
recreational vessels intending to transit or anchor in the affected 
area.
    (2) The impact to these entities will not, however, be significant 
since this area will encompass only a small portion of the waterway and 
vessels can safely navigate around the anchored vessels.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), in the NPRM we offered 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).

[[Page 22491]]

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 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule would not result 
in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This rule does not cause 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 would not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
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 will 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 
that this action is one of a category of actions that do not 
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human 
environment. An ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a categorical 
exclusion determination supporting this determination are available in 
the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. This rule involves changing 
the size of special anchorage areas.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR part 110 as follows:

PART 110--ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 2030, 2035, 2071; 
33 CFR 1.05-1(g); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.

0
2. Revise Sec.  110.95 to read as follows:


Sec.  110.95  Newport Bay Harbor, Calif.

    (a) Area A-1. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'09.3'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'52.6'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'11.4'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'51.2'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'04.0'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'33.4'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'03.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'20.4'' W.; thence to 
33[deg]36'01.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'09.9'' W.; thence to 
33[deg]36'01.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'32.7'' W.; thence to 
33[deg]36'03.9 N., longitude 117[deg]53'41.9'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'09.3'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'52.6'' W.
    (b) Area A-2. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'12.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'44.2'' W; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'14.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'44.3'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'14.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'20.6'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'10.8'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'20.5'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'12.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'29.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'12.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'35.4'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'12.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'37.0'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'12.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'44.2'' W.
    (c) Area A-3. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'22.7'' N., longitude 117 54'12.6'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'24.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'12.6'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'26.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'11.3'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'18.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'00.5'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'16.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'02.9'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'22.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'12.6'' W.
    (d) Area A-4. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36' 32.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'56.6'' W.; thence to 
latitude 33[deg]36'33.6'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'56.6'' W.; thence to 
latitude 33[deg]36'33.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'26.2'' W.; thence to 
latitude 33[deg]36'32.9'' N.,

[[Page 22492]]

longitude 117[deg]53'26.2'' W.; thence to latitude 33[deg]36'32.6'' N., 
longitude 117[deg]53'33.8'' W.; thence to latitude 33[deg]36'32.4'' N., 
longitude 117[deg]53'36.7'' W.; thence to latitude 33[deg]36'31.7'' N., 
longitude 117[deg]53'40.9'' W.; thence to 33[deg]36'31.7'' N., 
longitude 117[deg]53'46.3'' W.; thence to latitude 33[deg]36'32.6'' N., 
longitude 117[deg]53'50.9'' W.; returning to latitude 33[deg]36' 32.7'' 
N., longitude 117[deg]53'56.6'' W.
    (e) Area A-5. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'29.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'55.3'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'27.8'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'55.8'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'24.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'41.8'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'26.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'40.8'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'26.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'46.3'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'29.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'55.3'' W.
    (f) Area A-6. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'43.3'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'26.4'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'51.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'22.8'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'51.4'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'21.5'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'42.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'25.2'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'43.3'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'26.4'' W.
    (g) Area A-7. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'32.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'12.5'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'37.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'11.0'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'35.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'01.3'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'30.4'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'02.6'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'31.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'06.7'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'32.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'12.5'' W.
    (h) Area A-8. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'34.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'27.3'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'36.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'26.7'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'39.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'20.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'38.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'15.4'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'37.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'11.7'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'32.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'13.3'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'34.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'27.3'' W.
    (i) Area A-9. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'53.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'28.2'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'54.0'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'27.0'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'43.4'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'20.4'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'42.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'21.6'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'53.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]55'28.2'' W.
    (j) Area A-10. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'07.4'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'19.2'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'14.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'19.4'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'14.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'06.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'08.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'04.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'06.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'08.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'06.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'16.3'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'07.4'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'19.2'' W.
    (k) Area A-11. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'04.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'01.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'06.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'00.5'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'06.2'' N., longitude 117[deg]52'59.0'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]35'59.4'' N., longitude 117[deg]52'51.1'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]35'57.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]52'50.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'01.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]52'57.3'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'03.0'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'00.4'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'04.7'' N., longitude 117[deg]53'01.9'' W.
    (l) Area A-12. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'27.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'40.4'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'23.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'41.8'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'20.8'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'29.9'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'28.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'20.2'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'27.9'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'40.4'' W.
    (m) Area B-1. The entire water area within beginning at latitude 
33[deg]36'35.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'28.8'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'32.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'22.1'' W.; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'30.6'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'22.8'' W; thence to latitude 
33[deg]36'30.5'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'30.9'' W.; returning to 
latitude 33[deg]36'35.1'' N., longitude 117[deg]54'28.8'' W.
    Note to Sec.  110.95: These anchorage areas are reserved for 
recreational and other small craft. Local law, including the City of 
Newport Beach Municipal Code 17.25.020, may provide for fore and aft 
moorings for recreational and small craft of such size and alignment as 
permitted by the harbor master.

0
3. Remove Sec.  110.212.

    Dated: April 1, 2012.
J.R. Castillo,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, District Eleven Commander.
[FR Doc. 2012-9006 Filed 4-13-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P