[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 29, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57818-57819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23401]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2019-0857]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Naval Training Operations, U.S. Naval Magazine 
Indian Island, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters within a 500-yard radius of Walan Point, Indian 
Island, WA. This safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment from potential hazards due to naval training 
operations. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Puget Sound.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 a.m. on October 30, 2019, to 4 
p.m. on October 31, 2019, and will be subject to enforcement each of 
these days from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2019-0857 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 Ellie Wu, Sector Puget Sound Waterways 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (206) 217-6051, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
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)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
with respect to this rule because issuing an NPRM is impracticable. The 
Coast Guard received notification of these naval training operations 
from the U.S. Navy on October 7, 2019, and we must take action by 
October 30, 2019, to protect the public from potential hazards 
implicated by these training operations. Delaying issuance of this 
temporary final rule to publish an NPRM and consider comments in 
response to the NPRM is impracticable, because the safety zone must be 
in place for the operation, which begins on October 30, 2019.
    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 impracticable because of the danger associated with 
these training operations, which may include but is not limited to 
high-speed maneuvers, simulated attacks, and the firing of blank 
ammunition. This rule must be effective starting October 30, 2019, to 
protect vessels, personnel, and the marine environment from potential 
hazards associated with these training operations.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (formerly 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Puget Sound 
(COTP) has determined that potential hazards exist with this naval 
training operation. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety 
zone from potential hazards posed by the naval training operation.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone regulation from 10 a.m. on 
October 30, 2019, to 4 p.m. on October 31, 2019. This regulation will 
only be subject to enforcement for the following 8-hour period each of 
these 2 days: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
    The safety zone will cover navigable waters within a 500-yard 
radius of Walan Point, Indian Island.
    The duration of this regulation is intended to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters while 
naval training operations are taking place. No vessel or person will be 
permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from 
the COTP or a 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 of the safety zone. Vessel traffic will be able to 
safely transit around this safety zone which would impact a small 
designated area of the waterway on the western side of U.S. Naval 
Magazine Indian Island. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the 
zone, and the rule will allow 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.

[[Page 57819]]

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 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 Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), 
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 safety zone lasting only 16 hours in 
total, which will prohibit entry within designated zone during naval 
training operations. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph L60(a) in Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard Environmental 
Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1. A Record of Environmental 
Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket 
where 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: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 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.T13-0857 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T13-0857  Safety Zone; Naval Training Operations, U.S. Naval 
Magazine Indian Island, Washington.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within a 500 yards radius of Walan Point, Indian Island, WA.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative 
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, 
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a 
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port Puget Sound in the enforcement of the safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in Part 
165, Subpart C, no persons or vessels may enter or remain in the safety 
zone created in this unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or 
their designated representative. For permission to enter the safety 
zone, contact the on-scene designated representative or Joint Harbor 
Operations Center via VHF CH16 or at 206-217-6002. Those in the safety 
zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by 
the Captain of the Port or their designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement periods. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
to 4 p.m. daily, on October 30, 2019, and October 31, 2019.

    Dated: October 21, 2019.
L.A. Sturgis,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Puget Sound.
[FR Doc. 2019-23401 Filed 10-28-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P