[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 17 (Thursday, January 25, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4825-4827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-01450]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2024-0010]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Ohio River Mile Markers 2.5-3, Brunot Island, PA

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

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety 
zone for the Ohio River several days in January and February 2024 at 
mile marker 2.5 to mile marker 3 from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. each day. 
This action is necessary

[[Page 4826]]

to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters during a 
helicopter operation to install aerial transverse wirelines. This rule 
prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from January 25, 
2024 through February 4, 2024. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice will be used from January 22, 2024, until January 25, 2024. The 
regulations in this rule will be enforced daily from 8 a.m. through 6 
p.m. on the following dates: January 22, 2024, through January 26, 
2024, and January 29, 2024, through February 4, 2024.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2024-0010 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 LTJG Eyobe Mills, Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 412-221-0807, 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)(B)). This 
statutory 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 
and contrary to the public interest. This safety zone must be 
established by January 22, 2024, to provide for the safety of life on 
the navigable waters during a helicopter operation, and we lack 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing this rule. The NPRM process 
would delay the establishment of the safety zone until after the date 
of the helicopter operation. Vessels inside of the safety zone have the 
potential of getting hit by derby from the helicopter.
    Additionally, 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 and contrary to the public interest 
because action is needed by January 22, 2024, to ensure the safety of 
the of life on the navigable waters during a helicopter operation.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with a helicopter operation on January 22, 
2024, through January 26, 2024, and January 29, 2024, through February 
4, 2024, will be a safety concern for anyone on the Ohio River from 8 
a.m. to 6 p.m. at mile markers 2.5 to mile marker 3. The purpose of 
this rule is to ensure safety of the participant, vessels, and the 
navigable waters in the safety zone before, during, and after the 
scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone that will be enforced 
each day from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on January 22 through January 26 and 
January 29 through February 4, 2024. The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters on the back channel of the Brunot Island on the Ohio 
River from mile markers 2.5 to mile marker 3. The duration of the zone 
is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment 
in the navigable waters during an installation of aerial transverse 
wirelines using a helicopter.
    No vessel or person is permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative of 
the COTP. 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 the COTP. To seek permission to enter, 
contact the COTP or a designated representative via VHF-FM channel 16, 
or through Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh at 412-221-0807. 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 through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs), 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), 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 size, location, 
and duration of the temporary safety zone. This safety zone only 
impacts a 0.5-mile stretch on the Ohio River for 10 hours each day from 
January 22 through January 26 and January 29 through February 4, 2024. 
Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Local Notice to Mariners and 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the 
zone and the rule allows vessels to seek permission from the COTP to 
transit 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.

[[Page 4827]]

    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 
temporary safety zone lasting 10 hours each day from January 22 through 
January 26 and January 29 through February 4, 2024, on the Ohio River. 
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

    Marine Safety, Navigation (water), Reporting, recordkeeping 
requirements, and 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.T08-0010 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0010   Safety Zone Ohio River, Brunot Island, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a temporary safety zone: On the 
Ohio River from mile marker 2.5 to mile marker 3.
    (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 Pittsburgh (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety 
zone. Designated representative includes safety boat provided by the 
event organizers.
    (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 on Channel 16 or at 412-670-7288. To seek permission, 
concerned traffic may reach contact the event organizers on channel 13 
or at (860) 573-6646. 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 section will be enforced each day from 
8 a.m. through 6 p.m. from January 22, 2024, through January 26, 2024, 
and January 29, 2024, through February 4, 2024. The temporary safety 
zone will be enforced during the 10-hour helicopter operation on those 
dates.

Eric J. Velez,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, MSU Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2024-01450 Filed 1-24-24; 8:45 am]
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