Safety Zones: Patapsco River, Northwest and Inner Harbors, Baltimore, MD
Federal Register: April 9, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 68)
Rules and Regulations
Page 18058-18061
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr09ap10-8
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165
Docket No. USCG-2010-0133
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Patapsco River, Northwest and Inner Harbors,
Baltimore, MD
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone upon certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor during the movement of the historic sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION on
May 27, 2010. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the tow of the vessel from its berth at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, to a point on the Patapsco
River near the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in
Baltimore, Maryland, and its return. This action will restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, and Inner
Harbor during the event.
DATES: This rule is effective from 2 p.m. May 27, 2010 through 7 p.m.
June 3, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2010-0133 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2010-0133 in the
``Keyword'' box, and then clicking ``Search.'' They are also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30),
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room
W12-140, 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 temporary rule, call or e-mail Mr. Ronald Houck, Sector Baltimore
Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone 410-576-2674, e- mail Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory Information
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary 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 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 contrary to public interest to delay the effective date of this rule. Delaying the effective date would be contrary to the safety zone's intended objectives since immediate action is needed to protect persons and vessels against the hazards associated with the movement of an historic vessel being towed on confined navigable waters. Such hazards include damages and injuries caused by collisions with other vessels and navigational obstructions and hazards caused by vessel sinkings.
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. Due to the need for immediate action, the restriction of vessel traffic is necessary to protect life, property and the environment; therefore, a 30-day notice is impracticable. Delaying the effective date would be contrary to the safety zone's intended objectives of protecting persons and vessels involved in the event, and enhancing public and maritime safety.
Background and Purpose
The Historic Ships in Baltimore Museum is planning to conduct a
``turn-around'' ceremony involving the sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION in Baltimore, Maryland on Thursday, May 27, 2010. Planned events include a three-hour, round-trip tow of the USS CONSTELLATION in the
Port of Baltimore, with an onboard salute with navy pattern cannon while the historic vessel is positioned off Fort McHenry National
Monument and Historic Site. Beginning at 3 p.m., the historic Sloop-of-
War USS CONSTELLATION will be towed ``dead ship,'' which means that the vessel will be underway without the benefit of mechanical or sail propulsion.
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The return dead ship tow of the USS CONSTELLATION to its berth in the
Inner Harbor is expected to occur immediately upon execution of a tug- assisted turn-around of the USS CONSTELLATION on the Patapsco River near Fort McHenry. The Coast Guard anticipates a large recreational boating fleet during this event, scheduled on a late Thursday afternoon during the Memorial Day Holiday weekend in Baltimore, Maryland.
Operators should expect significant vessel congestion along the planned route. In the event of inclement weather, the ``turn-around'' will be rescheduled on Thursday, June 3, 2010.
To address safety concerns during the event, the Captain of the
Port, Baltimore, Maryland is establishing a safety zone upon certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor. The safety zone will help the Coast Guard provide for a clear transit route for the participating vessels, and provide a safety buffer around the participating vessels while they are in transit. Due to the need to promote maritime safety and protect participants and the boating public in the Port of Baltimore immediately prior to, during, and after the scheduled event, a temporary safety zone is necessary for this type of event.
Discussion of Rule
A regulation establishing a permanent safety zone for this annual event, with an enforcement period from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. annually on the Friday following Labor Day, has already been published and is detailed at 33 CFR 165.512. However, due to a change in scheduling for this calendar year, this event is planned for Thursday, May 27, 2010.
The historic sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION is scheduled to be towed
``dead ship'' from its berth at Pier 1 in Baltimore's Inner Harbor to a point on the Patapsco River near Fort McHenry National Monument and
Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland, along a one-way, planned route of approximately four nautical miles, that includes specified waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor. After being turned-around, the USS CONSTELLATION will be returned to its original berth at Pier 1, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland. Due to the need to safeguard dead ship tow participants and prevent vessels or persons from approaching the USS CONSTELLATION along the intended route immediately prior to, during, and following the scheduled towing evolution, vessel traffic will be restricted on certain waters of the
Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor.
The Captain of the Port Baltimore, Maryland is establishing a temporary moving safety zone around the USS CONSTELLATION dead ship tow participants from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on May 27, 2010, and if necessary due to inclement weather, from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on June 3, 2010. The regulated area includes all waters within 200 yards ahead of or 100 yards outboard or aft of the historic sloop-of-war USS
CONSTELLATION while operating in the Inner Harbor, the Northwest Harbor and the Patapsco River. Vessels underway at the time this safety zone is implemented will immediately proceed out of the zone. With the exception of USS CONSTELLATION ``turn-around'' participants, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. U.S. Coast Guard patrol vessels will be provided to prevent the movement of persons and vessels in the regulated area. The Captain of the Port will issue Broadcast Notices to
Mariners to publicize the safety zone and notify the public of changes in the status of the zone. Such notices will continue until the event is complete.
Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.
Regulatory Planning and Review
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. Although this safety zone restricts vessel traffic through the affected area, the effect of this regulation will not be significant due to the limited size and duration that the regulated area will be in effect. In addition, notifications will be made to the maritime community via marine information broadcasts so mariners may adjust their plans accordingly.
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 might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to operate or transit through or within the safety zone during the enforcement period. The safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. The safety zone is of limited size and duration.
Smaller vessels not constrained by their draft, which are more likely to be small entities, may transit around the safety zone. Maritime advisories will be widely available to the maritime community before the effective period.
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 the rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.
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.
Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed
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this rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. The Administrator of the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.
Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.
This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
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 concluded 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 establishing a temporary safety zone.
An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are 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, Waterways. 0
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: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5;
Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security
Delegation No. 0170.1. 0 2. Add Sec. 165.T05-0133 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-0133 Safety Zone; Patapsco River, Northwest and Inner
Harbors, Baltimore, MD
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all waters within 200 yards ahead of or 100 yards outboard or aft of the historic
Sloop-of-War USS CONSTELLATION while operating in the Inner Harbor, the
Northwest Harbor and the Patapsco River.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) Captain of the Port Baltimore means the Commander, U.S. Coast
Guard Sector Baltimore, Maryland.
(2) Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the
Port Baltimore to assist in enforcing the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(3) USS CONSTELLATION ``turn-around'' participants means the USS
CONSTELLATION, its support craft and the accompanying towing vessels.
(c) Regulations. (1) All persons are required to comply with the general regulations governing safety zones found in 33 CFR 165.23.
(2) With the exception of USS CONSTELLATION ``turn-around'' participants, entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore. Vessels already at berth, mooring, or anchor at the time the security zone is implemented do not have to depart the safety zone. All vessels underway within this safety zone at the time it is implemented are to depart the zone.
(3) Persons desiring to transit the area of the safety zone must first request authorization from the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative. To seek permission to transit the area, the Captain of the Port Baltimore and his designated representatives can be contacted at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band
Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16
(156.8 MHz). Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, or other
Federal, State, or local agency vessel, by siren, radio, flashing lights, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. If
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permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course while within the zone.
(4) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on May 27, 2010, and if necessary due to inclement weather, from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on June 3, 2010.
Dated: March 25, 2010.
Mark P. O'Malley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Baltimore, Maryland.
FR Doc. 2010-8093 Filed 4-8-10; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
