Ports and waterways safety: Missouri River, NE; security zone,

[Federal Register: March 7, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 45)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 10324-10325]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr07mr02-4]

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[COTP St. Louis-02-002]

RIN 2115-AA97

Security Zone; Missouri River, Mile Marker 532.9 to 532.5, Brownville, NE

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone encompassing all waters extending 250 feet from the shoreline of the right descending bank on the Missouri River, beginning from mile marker 532.9 and ending at mile marker 532.5. This security zone is necessary to protect the Nebraska Public Power District Brownville Cooper Nuclear Power Plant in Brownville, Nebraska from any and all subversive actions from any groups or individuals whose objective it is to cause disruption to the daily operations of the Brownville Cooper Nuclear Power Plant. Entry of vessels into this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port St. Louis or his designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 12 p.m. on January 7, 2002 through 8 a.m. on June 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket [COTP St. Louis-02-002] and are available for inspection or copying at Marine Safety Office St. Louis, 1222 Spruce St., Rm. 8.104E, St. Louis, Missouri 63103-2835, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT David Webb, Marine Safety Detachment Quad Cities, Rock Island, IL at (309) 782-0627.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM, and, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The catastrophic nature of, and resulting devastation from, the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington DC, makes this rulemaking necessary for the protection of national security interests. National security and intelligence officials warn that future terrorist attacks against United States interests are likely. Any delay in making this regulation effective would be contrary to the public interest because immediate action is necessary to protect against the possible loss of life, injury, or damage to property.

Background and Purpose

On September 11, 2001, both towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. In response to these terrorist acts, heightened awareness and security of our ports and harbors is necessary. To enhance security the Captain of the Port, St. Louis is establishing a temporary security zone.

This security zone includes all water extending 250 feet from the shoreline of the right descending bank on the Missouri River beginning from mile marker 532.9 to 532.5. This security zone is necessary to protect the public, facilities, and surrounding area from possible acts of sabotage or other subversive acts at the Brownville Cooper Nuclear Power Plant. All vessels and persons are prohibited from entering the zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port St. Louis or his designated representative.

Regulatory Evaluation

This rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 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. It is not ``significant'' under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979).

The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we 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 security zone will not have an impact on a substantial number of small entities because this rule will not obstruct the regular flow of vessel traffic and will allow vessel traffic to pass safely around the security zone. If you are a small business entity and are significantly affected by this regulation please contact LT Dave Webb, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Detachment Quad Cities, Rock Island Arsenal Bldg 218, Rock Island, IL 61299-0627 at (309) 782-0627.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could 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).

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

[[Page 10325]]

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 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 or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we so discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will not affect 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. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Environment

We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is available for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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

1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191, 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

2. A new temporary Sec. 165.T08-002 is added to read as follows:

   Sec. 165.T08-002 Security Zone; Missouri River Miles 532.9 to 532.5, Brownville, NE.

   (a) Location. The following area is a security zone: The waters of the Missouri River, extending 250 feet from the shoreline of the right descending bank beginning from mile marker 532.9 and ending at mile marker 532.5.

   (b) Effective date. This section is effective from 12 p.m. on January 7, 2002 through 8 a.m. on June 15, 2002.

   (c) Authority. The authority for this section is 33 U.S.C. 1226, 33 U.S.C. 1231, 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), and 49 CFR 1.46.

   (d) Regulations. (1) Entry into this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port St. Louis or his designated representative.

   (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the zone must request permission from the Captain of the Port St. Louis, or his designated representative. They may be contacted via VHF Channel 16 or via telephone at (309) 782-0627 or (314) 539-3091, ext. 540.

   (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port St. Louis and designated on-scene U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel. On-scene U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the U.S. Coast Guard.

   Dated: January 7, 2002. E.A. Washburn, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port St. Louis.

   [FR Doc. 02-5463Filed3-6-02; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-15-U