[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 246 (Tuesday, December 22, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 83448-83450]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-28161]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2020-0716]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Pipeline Testing; Tampa Bay, Gibsonton, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain waters in the navigable waters of Tampa Bay, Gibsonton, FL. The 
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by pipeline pressure testing 
in the area. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port St. 
Petersburg.

DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2021, 
through 7:00 a.m. on January 4, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2020-0716 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 Marine Science Technician First Class Michael D. 
Shackleford, Sector St. Petersburg Prevention Department, Coast Guard; 
telephone (813) 228-2191, 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 it would be impracticable. The Coast 
Guard was unable to publish an NPRM and hold a comment period for this 
rulemaking due to the short time period the Captain of the Port St. 
Petersburg (COTP) was notified of the need for the safety zone. It is 
necessary for the Coast Guard to establish this safety zone by January 
1, 2021, in order to ensure the appropriate level of protection exists 
in order to mitigate the potential safety hazards associated with 
pipeline pressure testing in the event of an explosion.
    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 for the same reasons stated in the preceding paragraph.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The COTP has determined that potential hazards associated with 
pipeline pressure testing starting January 1, 2021 will be a safety 
concern for anyone within this safety zone in the event of an 
explosion. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone while 
the testing is occuring.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 
2021, until 7:00 a.m. on January 4, 2021. The safety zone will cover 
all navigable waters of Tampa Bay, east of a line formed by connecting 
the points of 27[deg]48'9'' N, 082[deg]24'56'' W and 27[deg]48'0'' N, 
082[deg]24'56'' W. The duration of the zone is intended to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable 
waters while pipeline pressure testing is occuring. 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.

[[Page 83449]]

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-day of the safety zone. This area of 
Tampa Bay is not in a critical navigation area.

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 
call or email 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.

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, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, 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 approximately 4 days that will prohibit entry to 
all navigable waters of Tampa Bay, east of a line formed by connecting 
the points of 27[deg]48'9'' N, 082[deg]24'56'' W and 27[deg]48'0'' N, 
082[deg]24'56'' W. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph L60 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 
023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Memorandum for Record supporting this 
determination is available in the docket. For instructions on locating 
the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to call or email 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--SAFETY ZONE; PIPELINE TESTING; TAMPA BAY, GIBSONTON, FL

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.T07-0716 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T07-0716   Safety Zone; Pipeline Testing; Tampa Bay, 
Gibsonton, FL.

    (a) Location. The following regulated area is a safety zone: All 
navigable waters of Tampa Bay, east of a line formed by connecting the 
points of 27[deg]48'9'' N, 082[deg]24'56'' W and 27[deg]48'0'' N, 
082[deg]24'56'' W in the vicinity of Gibsonton, Florida.
    (b) Definition. The term ``designated representative'' means Coast 
Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty 
officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and 
Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the

[[Page 83450]]

Captain of the Port St. Petersburg in the enforcement of the regulated 
area.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port St. 
Petersburg or a designated representative.
    (2) Designated representatives may control vessel traffic 
throughout the enforcement area as determined by the prevailing 
conditions.
    (3) Persons and vessels may request authorization to enter, transit 
through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated areas by contacting 
the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg by telephone at (727) 824-7506, 
or a designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16. If 
authorization is granted by the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a 
designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such 
authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the 
Port St. Petersburg or a designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced daily from 12:01 
a.m. on January 1, 2021, through 7:00 a.m. on January 4, 2021.

    Dated: December 16, 2020.
Matthew A. Thompson,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port St. Petersburg.
[FR Doc. 2020-28161 Filed 12-21-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P