[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 71 (Wednesday, April 13, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21750-21752]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-07818]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0223]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Tennessee River, Tuscumbia, AL

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 Tennessee River from mile marker (MM) 244.0 
to MM 246.0. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment from potential hazards created by TVA 
imploding the Colbert Fossil Plant. Entry of vessels or persons into 
this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain 
of the Port Sector Ohio Valley or a designated represenative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m. through 8 a.m. on April 14, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2022-0223 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 Petty Officer Third Class Benjamin Gardner, Marine Safety 
Detachment Nashville, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 615-736-5421, 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 emergency 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. We must establish this safety zone immediately and lack 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing the rule.

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 Ohio 
Valley (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the 
TVA Colbert Fossil Plant Implosion will be a safety concern for anyone 
within 2 miles of the Colbert Plant implosion, and is establishing a 
safety zone from mile marker (MM) 244.0 to 246.0 on the Tennessee 
River. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment in the navigable waters for the duration of the 
fiber line installation.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes an emergency safety zone from 6 a.m. until 8 
a.m. on April 14, 2022. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters 
between Mile Marker (MM) 244.0 to 246.0 on the Tennessee River, 
extending the entire width of the river. The duration of the zone is 
intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in 
these navigable waters while TVA is imploding the Colbert Fossil Plant. 
No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from 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 Ohio Valley.
    Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. To seek entry 
into the safety zone, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative by 
telephone at 502-779-5422 or on VHF-FM channel 16. Persons and vessels 
permitted to enter this safety zone must transit at their slowest safe 
speed and comply with all lawful directions issued by the COTP or the 
designated representative.
    The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public 
through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners 
(LNMs), and Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) about this 
safety zone, enforcement period, as well as any changes in the dates 
and times of enforcement.

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 21751]]

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-day of the safety zone. This safety 
zone restricts transit on a two mile segment of the Tennessee River for 
2 hours on one day. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and 
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) about this safety zone so 
that waterway users may plan accordingly for this short restriction on 
transit, and the rule allows vessels to request 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 
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 only 2 hours that will prohibit entry between MM 
244.0 to 246.0 on the Tennessee River to implode the Colbert Fossil 
Plant. 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. Due to the emergency nature of this rulemaking, a Record of 
Environmental Consideration is not required. 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, 
Revision No. 01.2.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0223 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0223  Safety Zone; Tennessee River, Tuscumbia, AL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Tennessee River, Mile Markers 244.0 to 246.0, extending 
the entire width of the river.
    (b) Periods of enforcement. This section will be enforced from 6 
a.m. through 8 a.m. on April 14, 2022. and
    (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

[[Page 21752]]

section unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley 
(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 Ohio Valley.
    (2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. To seek entry 
into the safety zone, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative by 
telephone at 502-779-5422 or on VHF-FM channel 16.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (d) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and Marine Safety 
Information Bulletins (MSIBs) about this safety zone, enforcement 
period, as well as any changes in the dates and times of enforcement.

    Dated: April 4, 2022.
A.M. Beach,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley.
[FR Doc. 2022-07818 Filed 4-12-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P