Safety Zone; Hampton Harbor Channel Obstruction, Hampton Harbor; Hampton, NH
Federal Register, Volume 78 Issue 3 (Friday, January 4, 2013)
Federal Register Volume 78, Number 3 (Friday, January 4, 2013)
Rules and Regulations
Pages 669-671
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2012-31648
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
Docket Number USCG-2012-1055
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Hampton Harbor Channel Obstruction, Hampton Harbor; Hampton, NH
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of Hampton Harbor in the vicinity of Hampton Harbor Bridge due to a partially submerged dredge excavator obstructing the channel. This temporary final rule is necessary to protect vessels transiting the area from the obstruction. This zone is intended to prohibit vessels from coming within 100 yards of point 42 53'763'' N, 070 48'986'' W until the obstruction is cleared. Persons or vessels may not enter into this zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Northern New England.
DATES: This rule is effective in the CFR on January 4, 2013 until January 31, 2013. This rule is effective with actual notice for purposes of enforcement on November 30, 2012. This rule will remain in effect through January 31, 2013.
ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket USCG-2012-1055. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, call or email Ensign Elizabeth V. Morris, Waterways Management Division at Coast Guard Sector Northern New England, telephone 207-741-0398, email Elizabeth.V.Morris@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Acronyms
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
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Regulatory History and Information
The Coast Guard is issuing this final 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
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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 doing so would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The Coast Guard was notified of the obstruction immediately upon its occurrence late in the evening on November 29, 2012 but this was insufficient time to publish an NPRM. Thus, delaying the effective date of this rule to wait for a comment period to run would be both impracticable and contrary to the public interest because this regulation is necessary to ensure the immediate safety of users of the waterway.
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. For the same reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph, waiting for a 30 day notice period to run would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
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Basis and Purpose
The legal basis for the temporary rule is 33 U.S.C. 1231, 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; Public Law 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, which collectively authorize the Coast Guard to define safety zones.
The safety zone is being issued to ensure the safety of persons and vessels in Hampton Harbor within the proximity of the partially submerged excavator.
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Discussion of the Final Rule
On the evening of November 29, 2012, a dredging barge was working in the vicinity of the Hampton Harbor Bridge. During operations, a cable snapped and the excavator on board the barge fell into the water within the channel. The excavator is now partially submerged near the bridge. This safety zone is required to protect persons and vessels from the safety hazards associated with this obstruction to the channel. This safety zone will encompass all waters within a 100 yard radius of center point 42 53'763'' N, 070 48'986'' W and will be effective immediately and until January 31, 2013.
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Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 14 of these statutes or executive orders.
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Regulatory Planning and Review
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders.
The economic effect of this rule will not be significant for the following reasons: The safety zone will be of limited duration. Vessels may be authorized to transit the zone with permission of the Captain of the Port, Sector Northern New England. Additionally, maritime advisories will be broadcast during the duration of the enforcement period.
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Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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.
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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.
This rule may affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the safety zone. However, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities due to the time of year in which this rule takes place and advance notifications will be made to the local community by marine information broadcasts.
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Assistance for Small Entities
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, above.
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.
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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).
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Federalism
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 determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.
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Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INTFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places or vessels.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.
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Indian Tribal Governments
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.
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Energy Effects
This action is not a ``significant energy action'' under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.
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Technical Standards
This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
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Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)(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 is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g) of the Instruction. This rule involves creation of a temporary safety zone for a limited period of time. An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination will be available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, 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
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The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
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Add Sec. 165.T01-1055 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-1055 Safety Zone; Hampton Harbor Channel Obstruction, Hampton Harbor; Hampton, NH.
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Location. All navigable waters from surface to bottom within a 100 yard radius of position 42 53'763'' N, 070 48'986'' W.
(b) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 165.23 apply. During the enforcement period, entry into, transiting, mooring, anchoring or remaining within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representatives.
(2) This temporary safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may be permitted by the Captain of the Port or his designated on-scene patrol personnel. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to them by the Captain of the Port or his designated representatives.
(3) Persons and vessels may request permission to enter the Safety Zone by contacting the Captain of the Port or the Captain of the Port's on-scene representative on VHF-16 or via phone at 207-767-0303.
(4) The ``designated representative'' is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been designated by the Captain of the Port to act on his behalf. The on-scene representative may be on a Coast Guard vessel, a Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel, or onboard a local or state agency vessel that is authorized to act in support of the Coast Guard. Additionally, the Coast Guard Auxiliary may be present to inform vessel operators of this regulation.
(5) Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light or other means, the operator of the vessel must proceed as directed.
Dated: November 30, 2012.
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S. Gilda,
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port, Sector Northern New England.
FR Doc. 2012-31648 Filed 1-3-13; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
