[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 50 (Monday, March 17, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12235-12238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04018]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Chapter I
46 CFR Chapter I
[Docket No. USCG-2025-0186]
Gulf of America Renaming
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: In keeping with Presidential directive, the Coast Guard is
amending its regulations to update the name of the ``Gulf of Mexico''
to the ``Gulf of America.''
DATES: This final rule is effective March 17, 2025.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2025-0186
in the search box, and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document Type
column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document,
call or email Mr. Timothy Brown, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2358,
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Contents for Preamble
I. Table of Abbreviations
II. Basis and Purpose, Regulatory History, and Background
III. Discussion of the Rule
IV. Regulatory Analyses
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
B. Small Entities
C. Assistance for Small Entities
D. Collection of Information
E. Federalism
F. Unfunded Mandates
G. Taking of Private Property
H. Civil Justice Reform
I. Protection of Children
J. Indian Tribal Governments
K. Energy Effects
L. Environment
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
OMB Office of Management and Budget
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Basis and Purpose, Regulatory History, and Background
This final rule is issued under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a)
and 553; 14 U.S.C. 102 and 503; Executive Order
[[Page 12236]]
14172, titled ``Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness'' (90 FR
8629, Jan. 20, 2025), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Delegation
No. 00170.1(II)(23) Revision No. 01.4, and 33 CFR 1.05-1(h). Executive
Order 14172 renamed the area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico as
the Gulf of America. The purpose of this rule is to update the Coast
Guard's chapters in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect
the renaming. This action advances the goals of Executive Order 14172
to achieve consistency across the federal government when referencing
the Gulf of America.
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) before
this final rule. The Coast Guard finds that this rule is exempt from
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A)
because the gulf renaming is a conforming amendment involving agency
practice. The Coast Guard also finds good cause exists under 5 U.S.C.
553(b)(B) for not publishing an NPRM. Updating the name of Gulf of
America in the CFR imposes no substantive changes on the public's
rights or obligations and will be inconsequential in impact. This is a
conforming amendment to align our regulations with the Executive order
and Geographic Names Information System renaming of the Gulf of
America. For these reasons, notice and comment is unnecessary.
For the same reasons, the Coast Guard finds good cause exists under
5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make the rule effective fewer than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of the
rule is unnecessary because updating the name we use in our regulations
to identify the body of water is inconsequential to the public and the
name has already been adopted by Executive order.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule replaces the term ``Gulf of Mexico'' with ``Gulf of
America'' where it appears in existing Coast Guard regulations in 33
CFR Chapter I and 46 CFR Chapter I. We make this change to reflect the
current name of the gulf. This change is consistent with Executive
Order 14172, and the name used by the Geographic Names Information
System. It will have no substantive impact on the public. Under 33 CFR
1.05-1(h), the Chief of the Coast Guard's Office of Regulations and
Administrative Law has been delegated authority to issue regulations
necessary to implement technical, organizational, and conforming
amendments and corrections to regulations.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
based on these statutes or Executive orders.
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 13563
(Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) 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. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing
rules, and of promoting flexibility.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not designated this
rule a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive
Order 12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the OMB.
This regulatory action determination is based on the finding that
the name change will have no substantive effect on the public. A
regulatory analysis (RA) follows.
This rule involves non-substantive technical amendments and updates
to internal agency practices and procedures; it will not impose any
additional costs. The technical amendments in this rule modify existing
language in the CFR, in accordance with Executive Order 14172
``Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness'' (January 20, 2025),
to rename the area formerly known as the ``Gulf of Mexico'' to the
``Gulf of America''. The Coast Guard does not expect that there will be
any additional costs conferred on the public or the Federal Government
because none of the technical and editorial changes included in this
rule will change existing regulatory requirements. A summary of these
amendments by category and by CFR title and section are presented in
table 1.
The unquantified benefits of the non-substantive technical
amendments are increased accuracy of regulatory information by removing
expired or cancelled provisions that are no longer relevant.
Table 1--Summary of Regulatory Changes by CFR Title and Section
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CFR title Section Description of changes Economic impact
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33........................... Sec. Sec. 3.35-1, 3.40-1, Reflects changes brought No impact; editorial
62.51, 72.01-40, 80.835, by Executive Order changes.
100.703, 100.721, 100.801, 14172 to rename the
110.194b, 117.47, 147.801, area formerly known as
147.823, 147.839, 147.847, the ``Gulf of Mexico''
147.849, 147.851, 147.853, to the ``Gulf of
147.855, 147.857, 147.859, America''.
147.861, 147.863, 147.865,
147.867, 147.869, 147.871,
147.873, 147.875, 147.877,
147.879, 148.5, 150.940,
151.06, 151.53, 154.1020,
154.1020, 154.1020, 155.200,
155.1020, 155.1020,
155.4025, 155.4025, 156
Subpart C, 156 Subpart C,
156.300, 156.310, 162.65,
162.75, 165.753, 165.801,
165.840, 166.200.
46........................... Sec. Sec. 24.10-1, 30.10- Reflects changes brought No impact; editorial
11, 30.10-45, 31.20-1, 44.01- by Executive Order changes.
12, 70.10-1, 70.10-1, 90.10- 14172 to rename the
11, 90.10-25, 109.585 area formerly known as
Appendix A, 110.15-1, the ``Gulf of Mexico''
114.400, 125.160, 133.70, to the ``Gulf of
133.105, 136.110, 151.03-11, America''.
151.03-39, 167.60-1,
170.050, 172.030, 175.400,
188.10-15, 188.10-51, 199.30.
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B. Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612,
requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact on small
entities when they issue a rule after being required to first publish a
general notice of proposed rulemaking. Under 5 U.S.C 604(a), a
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for this final rule
because under provision in 553(b)(B) we were not required to publish a
general notice of a proposed rulemaking. Therefore, we did not conduct
a regulatory flexibility analysis for this rule.
[[Page 12237]]
C. Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, we offer to assist small
entities in understanding this final rule so that they can better
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. The
Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or
complain about this final rule or any policy or action of the Coast
Guard. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast
Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
D. Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new or revised collection of information
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.
E. Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132
(Federalism) if it has a substantial direct effect on 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 Executive Order 13132 and
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132.
F. Unfunded Mandates
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. Although this rule will not result
in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere
in this preamble.
G. Taking of Private Property
This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630 (Governmental
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property
Rights).
H. Civil Justice Reform
This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2)
of Executive Order 12988 (Civil Justice Reform) to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
I. Protection of Children
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045 (Protection
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks). This
rule is not an economically significant rule and will not create an
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might
disproportionately affect children.
J. Indian Tribal Governments
This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order
13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments),
because it will 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.
K. Energy Effects
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211 (Actions
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use). We have determined that it is not a
``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is
not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply,
distribution, or use of energy.
L. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Management 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 made
a determination that this action is one of a category of actions that
do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the
human environment. 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. This
final rule is categorically excluded under paragraph A3, and L54 of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.
The categorical exclusion CATEX A3 pertains to the promulgation of
rules, issuance of rulings or interpretations, and the development and
publication of policies, orders, directives, notices, procedures,
manuals, advisory circulars, and other guidance documents of the
following nature: (a) those of a strictly administrative or procedural
nature, (b) those that implement, without substantive change, statutory
or regulatory requirements, (c) those that implement, without
substantive change, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents,
and (d) those that interpret or amend an existing regulation without
changing its environmental effect. CATEX L54 pertains to regulations
which are editorial or procedural. This final rule involves non-
substantive technical, organizational, and conforming amendments to
existing Coast Guard regulations.
List of Subjects
33 CFR Parts 62, 72, 80, 100, 147, 150, 162, 165, 166
Navigation (water).
33 CFR Part 3
Organization and functions (Government agencies).
33 CFR Part 110
Anchorage grounds.
33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
33 CFR Part 148
Administrative practice and procedure, environmental protection,
harbors, petroleum.
33 CFR Part 151
Administrative practice and procedure, oil pollution, penalties,
reporting and recordkeeping requirements, water pollution control.
33 CFR Part 154
Alaska, fire prevention, hazardous substances, oil pollution,
reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
33 CFR Part 155
Alaska, hazardous substances, incorporation by reference, oil
pollution, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.
33 CFR Part 156
Hazardous substances, oil pollution, reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, water pollution control.
46 CFR Parts 24, 31, 70, 90, 109, 114, 125, 133, 151, 167, 170, 172,
175, 188, 199
Marine safety.
46 CFR Part 30
Cargo vessels, foreign relations, hazardous materials
transportation, incorporation by reference, penalties, reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, seamen.
[[Page 12238]]
46 CFR Part 44
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, vessels.
46 CFR Part 110
Incorporation by reference, reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, vessels.
46 CFR Part 136
Incorporation by reference, reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, towing vessels.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, under the authority of
14 U.S.C. 102, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR chapter I and 46 CFR
chapter I as follows:
Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters
CHAPTER I [AMENDED]
0
1. In chapter I amend parts 3, 62, 72, 80, 100, 110, 117, 147, 148,
150, 151, 154, 155, 156, 162, 165, 166 by removing the text ``Gulf of
Mexico'' wherever it appears and adding, in its place, the text ``Gulf
of America''.
Title 46--Shipping
CHAPTER I [AMENDED]
0
2. In chapter I amend parts 24, 30, 31, 44. 70, 90, 109, 110, 114, 125,
133, 136, 151, 167, 170, 172, 175, 188, 199 by removing the text ``Gulf
of Mexico'' wherever it appears and adding, in its place, the text
``Gulf of America''.
Dated: March 10, 2025.
Michael T. Cunningham,
Chief, Office of Regulations and Administrative Law.
[FR Doc. 2025-04018 Filed 3-13-25; 4:15 pm]
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