[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3401-3403]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-01336]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0060]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Thebes, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing an emergency temporary safety 
zone for all navigable waters of the Upper Mississippi River between 
mile marker (MM) 40 and MM 45. This emergency safety zone is needed to 
protect life, vessels, and the marine environment from potential 
hazards associated with lightering operations of a grounded barge. 
Entry of down-bound vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio 
Valley (COTP) or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from January 25, 
2018 until January 26, 2018, or, until the lightering operations cease, 
whichever occurs first. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from January 19, 2018 until January 25, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0060 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Daniel Parker, Marine Safety Unit Paducah, 
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 270-442-1621, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
MM Mile Marker
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary 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

[[Page 3402]]

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 
impracticable. The safety zone must be established immediately to 
protect people and vessels during the lightering operation of a 
grounded barge and we lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable 
comment period and then consider those comments before issuing the 
rule. It is also contrary to the public interest because following the 
NPRM process and delaying the effective date of this temporary rule 
would be detrimental to the immediate need to ensure the safety of life 
and property.
    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 of 
this rule would be contrary to public interest because immediate action 
is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment 
from potential hazards created by lightering operations of a grounded 
barge.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. This safety zone is established because the Captain of the Port 
Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with lightering operations of a grounded barge on the Upper 
Mississippi River between Mile Marker (MM) 40 and MM 45. This rule is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
navigable waters within the safety zone while the hazards associated 
with lightering operations of a grounded barge are present.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary emergency safety zone 
for all navigable waters on the Upper Mississippi River between MM 40 
and 45. Transit into and through this area is prohibited for down-bound 
traffic beginning at 7 a.m. on January 19, 2018 through 5 p.m. on 
January 26, 2018. The COTP will terminate the enforcement of this 
safety zone before January 26, 2018 if the lightering operations are 
completed before that date. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the COTP or his designated 
representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, 
or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the 
operational control of USCG Sector Ohio Valley.
    Requests for entry will be considered and reviewed on a case-by-
case basis. The COTP may be contacted by telephone at 502-779-5422 or 
can be reached by VHF-FM channel 16. Persons and vessels permitted to 
enter this safety zone must transit at their slowest safe speed and 
comply with all lawful directions issued by the COTP or the designated 
representative.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-year of the safety zone. This safety 
zone will restrict down-bound vessel traffic from entering or 
transiting within a five mile area of navigable waterways on the Upper 
Mississippi River between MM 40 and MM 45. Moreover, the Coast Guard 
will issue Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 
about the zone, and the rule allows vessels to seek permission to enter 
the zone.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section 
V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any 
vessel owner or operator.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    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.

C. Collection of Information

    This rule will not call for a new collection of information under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, 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

[[Page 3403]]

Government and Indian tribes. If you believe this rule has implications 
for federalism or Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

E. 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 will not result in 
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Directive 023-01, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have determined that 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 involves an emergency safety zone lasting 
less than one week that will prohibit entry and transiting between MM 
40 and MM 45 on the Upper Mississippi River during lightering 
operations of a grounded barge. It is categorically excluded from 
further review under paragraph L60(c) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS 
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. Because this safety zone is 
established in response to an emergency situation and is less than one 
week in duration, a Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) is not 
required. Should this emergency situation require a safety zone lasting 
longer than one week, a REC will be made available as indicated under 
ADDRESSES.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that 
your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or 
security of people, places or vessels.

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; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 
6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0053 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0053  Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Thebes, IL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Upper Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 40 to MM 
45, extending the entire width of the river.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7 a.m. 
on January 19, 2018 through 5 p.m. on January 26 2018, or until the 
lightering operations cease, whichever occurs first.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry of down-bound vessels or persons into 
this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain 
of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) or designated representative. A 
designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer 
of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control 
of USCG Sector Ohio Valley.
    (2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. To seek entry 
into the safety zone, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative by 
telephone at 270-217-0959 or on VHF-FM channel 16.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners of any 
changes in the planned schedule.

    Dated: January 19, 2018
M.B. Zamperini,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley.
[FR Doc. 2018-01336 Filed 1-24-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P