[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 135 (Monday, July 15, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57357-57359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-15469]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2024-0569]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River Mile Markers 219.5 to 218.5 
Grafton, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
the Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 219.5 to 218.5 near 
Grafton, IL. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a Missouri 
National Guard training event near Grafton, IL. Entry of vessels or 
persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by 
the Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River.

DATES: This rule is effective from July 15, 2024, until July 22, 2024.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2024-0569 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 about this rule, 
call or email MST1 Benjamin Conger, Sector Upper Mississippi River 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-
2573, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
MM Mile marker
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 under authority in 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.'' The Coast Guard 
finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because of potential 
hazards created by the Missouri National Guard training event, in 
particular the presence of a military raft that will cross over the 
Upper Mississippi River during the event. As such, insufficient time 
exists to provide a reasonable comment period and then consider those 
comments before issuing the rule. It is impracticable to publish an 
NPRM because we must establish this safety zone by July 15, 2024.
    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 Missouri 
National Guard training event starting July 15, 2024, located between 
MM 219.5 to 218.5.

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 Upper Mississippi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the Missouri National 
Guard training event starting July 15, 2024, will be a safety concern 
for anyone operating or transiting within the Upper Mississippi River 
at between MM 219.5 to 218.5. This rule is needed to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the 
safety

[[Page 57358]]

zone while the raft crossing is being conducted.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone during the Missouri National 
Guard training event on the Upper Mississippi River on July 15, 2024, 
and going through July 22, 2024. The safety zone will be active from 7 
a.m.-7 p.m. each day and will cover all navigable waters from MM 219.5 
to 218.5. The duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters while the 
Missouri National Guard training event takes place on the Upper 
Mississippi River. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the 
safety zone without obtaining permission from 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 as conditions improve, through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs), 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/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, duration, and time-of-day 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 Mississippi River. Moreover, the 
Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine 
channel 16 about the zone, and the rule would allow vessels to seek 
permission to enter the zone. The safety zone will be active and 
enforced only while training associated with the raft crossing is being 
conducted, from July 15, 2024, until July 22, 2024.

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 encompassing the width of the Upper Mississippi River from 
MM 219.5 to 218.5. 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.

[[Page 57359]]

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.T08-0569 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0569  Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile Marker 
219.5 to 218.5, Grafton, IL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters within the Upper Mississippi River, Mile Markers (MM) 219.5 to 
218.5 near Grafton, IL.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section is subject to enforcement from 
July 15, 2024, through July 22, 2024. The safety zone will be active 
from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. each day and enforced only while training associated 
with the raft crossing is being conducted. The Coast Guard will issue a 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 to advise 
when the zone is being enforced.
    (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 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 effective 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 
as ice or flood conditions improve, through Local Notice to Mariners 
(LNMs), Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Safety Marine 
Information Broadcast (SMIB) as appropriate.

    Dated: July 9, 2024.
A.R. Bender,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi 
River.
[FR Doc. 2024-15469 Filed 7-12-24; 8:45 am]
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