Security Zone: Potomac River, Washington Channel, Washington, DC
Federal Register: May 24, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 99)
Rules and Regulations
Page 28757-28760
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr24my10-5
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165
Docket No. USCG-2010-0405
RIN 1625-AA87
Security Zone; Potomac River, Washington Channel, Washington, DC
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone in certain waters of Washington Channel on the Potomac River. The security zone is necessary to provide for the security and safety of life and property of event participants, spectators and mariners during the U.S.
Coast Guard Vice Commandant's Change of Watch ceremony from 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. on May 24, 2010. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland, or his designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. on May 24, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2010-0405 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2010-0405 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
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rule, call or e-mail Mr. Ronald L. 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. The Coast Guard is establishing this security zone to protect high-ranking government officials, mitigate potential terrorist acts, and enhance public and maritime safety and security. The Coast Guard was unable to publish a NPRM due to the short time period between event planners notifying the Captain of the Port Baltimore of the security needs during the event and the publication of this security zone. Furthermore, delaying the effective date would be contrary to the security zone's intended objectives of protecting high-ranking government officials, mitigating potential terrorist acts and enhancing public and maritime safety security.
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 period is impracticable. Delaying the effective date would be contrary to the security zone's intended objectives of protecting high-ranking government officials, mitigating potential terrorist acts and enhancing public and maritime safety and security.
Basis and Purpose
The Coast Guard will conduct a ceremony at Fort McNair in
Washington, DC on Monday, May 24, 2010. To address security concerns during the event, the Captain of the Port Baltimore, Maryland is establishing a security zone upon certain waters of the Washington
Channel. This security zone will help the Coast Guard to prevent vessels or persons from engaging in waterborne terrorist actions during the U.S. Coast Guard Vice Commandant's Change of Watch ceremony. Due to the catastrophic impact a terrorist attack during the ceremony would have against the large number of dignitaries, and the surrounding area and communities, a security zone is prudent for this type of event.
Discussion of Rule
Through this regulation, the Coast Guard will establish a security zone. The security zone will be in effect from 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. on
May 24, 2010. The security zone will include all navigable waters of the Washington Channel, from shoreline to shoreline, bounded on the north along latitude 38[deg]52'03'' N and bounded on the south along latitude 38[deg]51'50'' N (North American Datum 1983). This location is entirely within the Area of Responsibility of the Captain of the Port
Baltimore, as set forth at 33 CFR 3.25-15.
Vessels underway at the time this security zone is implemented would be required to immediately proceed out of the zone. Vessels already at berth, mooring, or anchor at the time the security zone is implemented do not have to depart the security zone. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. To seek permission to transit the area, the
Captain of the Port Baltimore can be contacted at telephone number 410- 576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Coast
Guard vessels enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band
Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Captain of the Port will issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners to publicize the security zone and notify the public of changes in the status of the zone. Such notices will continue until the ceremony 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 security zone restricts vessel traffic through the affected area, vessels may seek permission from the Captain of the Port Baltimore to enter and transit the zone.
Furthermore, 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 will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to operate or transit through or within the security zone during the enforcement period. The security zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. The security zone is of limited size and duration.
Although the security zone will apply to the entire width of the channel, 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 (Pub. L. 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
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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 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 security 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.T05-0405 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-0405 Security Zone; Potomac River, Washington Channel,
Washington, DC.
(a) Location. The following area is a security zone: all waters of the Washington Channel, from shoreline to shoreline, bounded on the north along latitude 38[deg]52'03'' N and bounded on the south along latitude 38[deg]51'50'' N (North American Datum 1983).
(b) Definitions. As used in this section:
Captain of the Port Baltimore means the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Sector Baltimore, Maryland.
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 security zone described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Regulations. (1) The general security zone regulations found in 33 CFR 165.33 apply to the security zone created by this temporary section, Sec. 165.T05.0405.
(2) 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 security zone. All vessels underway within this security zone at the time it is implemented are to depart the zone.
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(3) Persons desiring to transit the area of the security 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 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 6 a.m. through 5 p.m. on May 24, 2010.
Dated: May 11, 2010.
Mark P. O'Malley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Baltimore Maryland.
FR Doc. 2010-12341 Filed 5-21-10; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
