[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 189 (Monday, October 4, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54622-54624]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21552]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0647]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; CBWTP Outfall Diffuser Improvements, Columbia River, 
Portland, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain waters of the Columbia River. This action is necessary to 
provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Portland, 
OR, at Columbia River Mile 105.6 during construction from November 1, 
2021 through February 28, 2022. This regulation prohibits persons and 
vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain 
of the Port Sector Columbia River or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 12:01 a.m. on November 1, 2021, 
through 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0647 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email LCDR Sean Morrison, Waterways Management Division, Marine 
Safety Unit Portland, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 503-240-9319, 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

    On July 20, 2021, Ballard Marine Construction notified the Coast 
Guard that it would begin construction on the CBWTP Outfall Diffuser 
Improvements Project from 12:01 a.m. on October 1, 2021, through 11:59 
p.m. on February 28, 2022, to remove and replace existing pipeline. On 
September 27, 2021, Ballard Marine Construction updated the start date 
to November 1, 2021. Work includes dredging and dive operations at 
Columbia River Mile 105.6. In response, on August 23, 2021, the Coast 
Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled ``Safety 
Zone; CBWTP Outfall Diffuser Improvements, Columbia River, Portland, 
OR'' (86 FR 47044). There we stated why we issued the NPRM, and invited 
comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this construction 
project. During the comment period that ended September 7, 2021, we 
received no comments.
    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 immediate action is needed to 
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the CBWTP 
Outfall Diffuser Improvements Project.

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 Columbia 
River (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the 
construction project will be a safety concern for anyone within the 
designated area of the CBWTP Outfall Diffuser Improvements. The purpose 
of this rule is to ensure safety of vessels and the navigable waters in 
the safety zone during the scheduled construction period.

[[Page 54623]]

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM published 
August 22, 2021. The only changes in the regulatory text of this rule 
from the proposed rule in the NPRM are the clarifying additions of 
referencing the coordinates as being based on 1984 World Geodetic 
System (WGS 84) and the insertion of the abbreviation ``COTP'' after 
``Captain of the Port Sector Columbia River'' in the definition of 
``designated representative.'' In addition, the Coast Guard received 
notification on September 27, 2021, that the city of Portland is 
delaying the start date of the project. The safety zone will now begin 
on November 1, 2021, instead of October 1, 2021 as originally published 
in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone from 12:01 a.m. on November 1, 
2021, through 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2022. The safety zone will 
cover all navigable waters of the Columbia River, surface to bottom, 
approximately 300 yards to the east and west side of the Burlington 
Northern Railroad Bridge on the Oregon side of the Columbia River from 
the shoreline to the outside of the main navigational channel; 
specifically beginning at the shoreline at 45[deg]37'26.2'' N, 
122[deg]41'46.91'' W, northeast to 45[deg]37'33.206'' N, 
122[deg]41'37.699'' W, southeast to 45[deg]37'23.4'' N, 
122[deg]41'18.1'' W, thence southwest to 45[deg]37'16.27'' N, 
122[deg]41'30.75'' W, and along the shoreline back to the beginning 
point. The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of 
vessels and these navigable waters while the construction project is 
underway. The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of 
vessels and these navigable waters during the construction period. 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. 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, duration, and time-of-year of the safety zone. Vessel traffic 
will be able to safely transit around this safety zone which will 
impact a small designated area of the Columbia River during the 
construction project. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a Notice to 
Mariners 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 received no comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. 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 150 days that will prohibit

[[Page 54624]]

vessel traffic to transit the area during construction operations. 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. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T13-0647 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T13-0647  Safety Zones: Safety Zone; CBWTP Outfall Diffuser 
Improvements, Columbia River, Portland, OR.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Columbia River, surface to bottom, encompassed by a line 
connecting the following points beginning at the shoreline at 
45[deg]37'26.2'' N, 122[deg]41'46.91'' W, northeast to 
45[deg]37'33.206'' N, 122[deg]41'37.699'' W, southeast to 
45[deg]37'23.4'' N, 122[deg]41'18.1'' W, thence southwest to 
45[deg]37'16.27'' N, 122[deg]41'30.75'' W, and along the shoreline back 
to the beginning point. These coordinates are based on the 1984 World 
Geodetic System (WGS 84).
    (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 Sector Columbia River (COTP) in the enforcement of 
the safety zone.
    (c) 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 COTP or the 
COTP's designated representative.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by calling (503) 209-2468 or the Sector Columbia River 
Command Center on Channel 16 VHF-FM. 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.
    (d) Enforcement period. This safety zone is in effect from 12:01 
a.m. on November 1, 2021, through 11:59 p.m. on February 28, 2022. It 
will be subject to enforcement this entire period unless the Captain of 
the Port Columbia River determines it is no longer needed, in which 
case the Coast Guard will inform mariners via Notice to Mariners.

    Dated: September 27, 2021.
M. Scott Jackson,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Columbia River.
[FR Doc. 2021-21552 Filed 10-1-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P