[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 110 (Thursday, June 6, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48325-48327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12437]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2024-0494]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Corpus Christi, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain navigable waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, in the 
Corpus Christi Bay, TX, near mile marker 546. The safety zone is needed 
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created by a broken gas pipeline which is leaking 
methane, and to facilitate repairs. Entry of vessels or persons into 
this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized 
by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from June 6, 2024 
through 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2024. For the purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from May 29, 2024 until June 6, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Commander Anthony

[[Page 48326]]

Garofalo, Sector Corpus Christi Waterways Management Division, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 1-800-874-2143, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi
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 it is impracticable. Given that the 
safety zone must be put into effect as soon as possible to offer 
protection from hazards associated with the search and rescue 
operations and salvage efforts related to the obstruction, lack 
sufficient time to provide notice, take comments, and consider those 
comments before issuing the rule.
    In addition, 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 gas leak and repair efforts related to a broken methane 
pipeline in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

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, Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the gas leak and 
repair efforts related to a broken methane pipeline require that vessel 
traffic be rerouted, from 11:59 a.m. on May 29, 2024 through 11:59 p.m. 
on June 12, 2024, to ensure safety of vessels and persons on these 
navigable waters until the search and rescue operations and salvage 
efforts concludes.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 11:59 a.m. on 
May 29, 2024 through 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2024. The safety zone 
encompasses all navigable waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway 
within the following coordinates: 27[deg]44'05'' N, 097[deg]13'14'' W; 
27[deg]44'02'' N, 097[deg]12'44'' W; 27[deg]43'39'' N, 097[deg]12'48'' 
W; 27[deg]43'39'' N, 097[deg]13'17'' W. No vessel or person is 
permitted to enter the temporary safety zone during the effective 
period without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative, who may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) 
or by telephone at 1-800-874-2143. The Coast Guard will issue Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to Mariners, and/or Safety Marine 
Information Broadcasts 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 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 temporary safety zone 
will be enforced for a short period of only 15 days. The rule does not 
completely restrict the traffic within a waterway and allows mariners 
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 
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 
contact 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,

[[Page 48327]]

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. If you believe this 
rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, please contact 
the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

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, 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 will encompass all navigable waters of the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway within the following coordinates: 27[deg]44'05'' 
N, 097[deg]13'14'' W; 27[deg]44'02'' N, 097[deg]12'44'' W; 
27[deg]43'39'' N, 097[deg]12'48'' W; 27[deg]43'39'' N, 097[deg]13'17'' 
W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment from potential hazards created by the gas leak and 
repair efforts related to a broken methane pipeline in the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph L60(c) Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 
023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact 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.T08-0494 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0494  Safety Zone; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Corpus 
Christi, TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway within the following 
coordinates: 27[deg]44'05'' N, 097[deg]13'14'' W; 27[deg]44'02'' N, 
097[deg]12'44'' W; 27[deg]43'39'' N, 097[deg]12'48'' W; 27[deg]43'39'' 
N, 097[deg]13'17'' W.
    (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 Corpus Christi (COTP) in the enforcement of 
the safety zone.
    (c) Effective period. This section is effective from 11:59 a.m. on 
May 29, 2024 through 11:59 p.m. on June 12, 2024.
    (d) Regulations. (1) According to the general regulations in Sec.  
165.23 of this part, entry into this temporary safety zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus 
Christi (COTP) or a designated representative. They may be contacted on 
Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) or by telephone at 1-800-874-2143.
    (2) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply 
with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
    (e) 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.

Michael Cintron,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port Sector Corpus 
Christi.
[FR Doc. 2024-12437 Filed 6-5-24; 8:45 am]
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