[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 41 (Thursday, March 4, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12541-12543]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04451]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0071]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 368 Through 
370, Natchez, MS

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR), Mile Marker 
368 through 370. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, 
property, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards 
associated with line pulling operations in the vicinity of the Natchez, 
MS. Entry of persons or vessels into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River or 
a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from March 4, 2021 
until March 15, 2021. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from March 1, 2021 until March 4, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0071 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 MSTC Lindsey Swindle, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 901-
521-4813, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

[[Page 12542]]

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 is impracticable. Immediate action 
is needed to protect persons and property from the potential safety 
hazards associated with line pulling operations. The NPRM process would 
delay the establishment of the safety zone until after the date of the 
event and compromise public safety. We must establish this temporary 
safety zone immediately 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 respond to the potential safety hazards associated 
with the line pulling operations in the vicinity of Natchez, MS.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Sector Lower 
Mississippi River (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the line pulling operations, would be a safety concern 
for all persons and vessels on the Lower Mississippi River between MM 
368 and MM 370 in the vicinity of Natchez, MS. This rule is needed to 
protect persons, property, infrastructure, and the marine environment 
in all waters of the LMR within the safety zone while line pulling 
operations are being conducted.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from March 1, 2021 
through March 15, 2021. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters 
of the LMR from MM 368 through MM 370 in the vicinity of Natchez, MS. 
The duration of this safety zone is intended to ensure the safety of 
waterway users on these navigable waters during USACE operations.
    Entry of persons or vessels into this safety 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 Lower Mississippi River. Persons or vessels seeking to 
enter the safety zones must request permission from the COTP or a 
designated representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 901-
521-4822. 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 of the 
enforcement times and date for this safety zone through Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or 
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate.

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. 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).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. This emergency safety zone 
will temporarily restrict navigation on the LMR at MM 368 through 370 
in the vicinity of Natchez, MS., from March 1, 2021 through March 15, 
2021. Moreover, The Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety 
Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate. 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 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

[[Page 12543]]

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 
temporary safety zone on the LMR at MM 368 through 370 in the vicinity 
of Natchez, MS, that will prohibit entry into this zone. The safety 
zone will only be enforced while operations preclude the safe 
navigation of the established channel. 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. 1. A Record of Environmental 
Consideration 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--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.T08-0071 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0071   Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 
368 through 370, Natchez, MS.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Lower Mississippi River at Mile Marker (MM) 368 through 
370 in the vicinity of Natchez, MS.
    (b) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in 
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Sector Lower Mississippi River (COTP) or the COTP's 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 Lower Mississippi River.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 901-521-4822. 
Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or 
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated 
representative.
    (c) Effective period. This section is effective from March 1, 2021, 
until March 15, 2021.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this 
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to 
Mariners, and/or Safety Marine Information Broadcasts, as appropriate.

    Dated: February 26, 2021.
R.S. Rhodes,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi 
River.
[FR Doc. 2021-04451 Filed 3-3-21; 8:45 am]
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