[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 87341-87343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27757]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[USCG-2023-0935]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone, Illinois River MM 165-166, Peoria, IL

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 
all navigable waters in the Illinois River between Mile Marker (MM) 
165.2 to 166.3. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment from all potential hazards 
associated with the McClugage Bridge arch installation. Entry of 
vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Upper Mississippi 
River or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from December 18, 2023, through December 
25, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0935 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 MSTC Nathaniel Dibley, Sector Upper Mississippi River 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-
2560, 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 a temporary safety zone must be 
established immediately to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by the bridge arch 
installation. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must 
establish this safety zone by December 18, 2023.
    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 action is needed to respond to 
the potential safety hazards associated with the installation of the 
arch on the McClugage bridge beginning December 18, 2023.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The COTP of Sector Upper Mississippi River has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the installation of the arch on the 
McClugage Bridge will be a safety concern for anyone operating or 
transiting within the Illinois River from MM 165.2 through 166.3. This 
rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone during the 
installation of the arch.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The installation of the arch will be occurring on the McClugage 
Bridge located on MM 165.7 and scheduled for 48 hours beginning 
December 19 through December 21, 2023. The installation has an 
operational window from December 18 through December 25, 2023 in the 
event of inclement weather delaying the installation. The safety zone 
is designed to protect waterway users until work is complete.
    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 (USCG) assigned to units under 
the operational control of USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River. To seek 
permission to enter, contact the COTP or a designated representative 
via VHF-FM channel 16, or through USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River 
at 314-269-2332. Persons and vessels permitted to enter the safety zone 
must comply with all lawful orders or directions issued by the COTP or 
designated representative. The COTP or a designated representative will 
inform the public of the effective period for the safety zone as well 
as any changes in the dates and times of enforcement, as well as 
reductions in the size of the safety zone through Local Notice to 
Mariners (LNMs), Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), or Safety Marine 
Information Broadcast (SMIB), 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 section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as 
amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). 
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. The safety zone would impact 
a small designated area located on the Illinois River at MM 165.2 
through 166.3, near Peoria, IL. The safety zone is expected to be 
active only during the installation of the arch for the McClugage 
Bridge, scheduled for a 48 hour period between December 19 and 21, 
2023, or until December 25, 2023. Vessel traffic will be able to safely 
transit through this safety zone when the safety zone is not enforced.

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

[[Page 87342]]

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 because the zone will be enforced only when 
work is being conducted.
    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 encompassing the width of the Illinois River at MM 165.2 
through 166.3. 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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0935 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0935   Safety Zone; Illinois River, Mile Markers 165.2-
166.3, Peoria, IL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters within Illinois River, Mile Marker 165.2 through 166.3, Peoria, 
IL.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section will be subject to enforcement 
from December 18, 2023, through December 25, 2023.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general safety zone 
regulations in Sec.  165.23, entry of persons or vessels into this 
safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited 
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) or a designated 
representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, 
or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) assigned to units under 
the operational control of USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or a designated 
representative via VHF-FM channel 16, or through USCG Sector Upper 
Mississippi River at 314-269-2332. Persons and vessels permitted to 
enter the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions 
issued by the COTP or designated representative.
    (d) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public of the enforcement period for the 
safety zone as well as any changes in the dates and times of 
enforcement, as well as reductions in size or scope of the safety zone 
through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs), Broadcast Notices to Mariners 
(BNMs), or Safety Marine Information Broadcast (SMIB) as appropriate.


[[Page 87343]]


    Dated: December 12, 2023.
A.R. Bender,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi 
River.
[FR Doc. 2023-27757 Filed 12-15-23; 8:45 am]
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