[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 57 (Monday, March 25, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 10993-10995]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05562]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2019-0149]
RIN 1625-AA87


Security Zone; Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing fixed and moving security 
zones around the Motor Vessel (M/V) ARC ENDURANCE. The security zone 
encompasses all navigable waters within a 500-yard radius around the M/
V ARC ENDURANCE. The zone is needed to protect the vessel while 
transiting the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Corpus Christi, TX with 
military cargo onboard. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from 9 a.m. until 
midnight on March 25, 2019. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice will be used from March 18, 2019 until 9 a.m. on March 25, 2019.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2019-0149 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 Petty Officer Kevin Kyles, Sector Corpus Christi 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-939-
5125, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
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 to the public 
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(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. We must 
establish this security zone by March 18, 2019 and lack sufficient time 
to provide a reasonable comment period and then consider those comments 
before issuing the rule.
    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 the public interest because immediate 
action is needed to provide for the security of the vessel.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the transit and of 
the Motor Vessel (M/V) ARC ENDURANCE when loaded with military cargo 
between the dates of March 18, 2019 through March 25, 2019, will be a 
security concern within a 500-yard radius of the vessel. This rule is 
needed to protect the vessel while the vessel is transiting within 
Corpus Christi, TX.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary fixed and moving security zone 
from time of first arrival and last departure of M/V ARC ENDURANCE 
while transiting within the Corpus Christi Ship Channel between the 
dates of March 18, 2019 through March 25, 2019. The fixed and moving 
security zone will cover all navigable waters within a 500-yard radius 
of the M/V ARC ENDURANCE while transiting while loaded with military 
cargo through the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The duration of the zone 
is intended to protect military cargo while the vessel is in transit. 
No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the security zone 
without

[[Page 10994]]

obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.
    Entry into this fixed and moving security zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the COTP or a 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 Corpus Christi. Persons or vessels desiring to enter or pass 
through the zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 361-939-0450. If 
permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the 
instructions of the COTP or designated representative. The COTP or a 
designated representative will inform the public through Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or 
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate of the 
enforcement times and dates for this security zone.

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, 
duration, and location of the security zone. This rule will impact a 
small designated area of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel during the 
vessel's transit while loaded with cargo over an eight-day period. 
Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue BNMs 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 
temporary fixed and moving security 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 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 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which guide 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 
a fixed and moving security zone lasting for the duration of time that 
any of the vessels are within the Corpus Christi Ship Channel that will 
prohibit entry within 500 yard radius of M/V ARC ENDURANCE while 
transiting within Corpus Christi whilst loaded with military cargo. It 
is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of 
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A 
Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is 
available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

[[Page 10995]]

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: 46 U.S.C. 70034; 46 U.S.C. 70051; 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.T08-0149 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0149  Security Zone; Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Corpus 
Christi, TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a security zone: all navigable 
waters encompassing a 500-yard radius around M/V ARC ENDURANCE while 
transiting loaded with cargo in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from March 18, 2019 
through March 25, 2019.
    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations in Sec.  165.33 of 
this part apply. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized 
by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a 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 Corpus Christi.
    (2) Persons or vessels desiring to enter or pass through the zone 
must request permission from the COTP Sector Corpus Christi on VHF-FM 
channel 16 or by telephone at 361-939-0450.
    (3) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply 
with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs) of 
the enforcement times and date for this security zone.

    Dated: March 15, 2019.
E.J. Gaynor,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2019-05562 Filed 3-22-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P