Safety Zone; Lake Charles, Lake Charles, LA

Published date03 June 2021
Citation86 FR 29725
Record Number2021-11584
SectionProposed rules
CourtCoast Guard,Homeland Security Department
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 105 (Thursday, June 3, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 105 (Thursday, June 3, 2021)]
                [Proposed Rules]
                [Pages 29725-29727]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2021-11584]
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                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
                Coast Guard
                33 CFR Part 165
                [Docket Number USCG-2021-0379]
                RIN 1625-AA00
                Safety Zone; Lake Charles, Lake Charles, LA
                AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
                ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety
                zone for all navigable waters of Lake Charles west of 93[deg]13'51.2''
                W, east of 93[deg]14'8.3'' W, and extending 500 yards south from the
                northern shore of Lake Charles. This safety zone is necessary to
                protect persons and vessels from hazards associated with a Pro
                Watercross event on August 28 and 29, 2021 in Lake Charles, LA. Entry
                of vessels or persons into this zone would be prohibited unless
                authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur or
                a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed
                rulemaking.
                DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
                Guard on or before June 18, 2021.
                ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
                2021-0379 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
                Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further
                instructions on submitting comments.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
                proposed rulemaking, call or email LT Christpher Saylor, MSU Lake
                Charles, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 337-491-7816, email
                [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                I. Table of Abbreviations
                CFR Code of Federal Regulations
                DHS Department of Homeland Security
                FR Federal Register
                NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
                Sec. Section
                U.S.C. United States Code
                II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
                 On May 19, 2021, the Pro Watercross Organization notified the Coast
                Guard that it would be conducting watercross races from 8 a.m. through
                6 p.m. on August 28 and 29, 2021. These watercross races are scheduled
                to be conducted along the north shore of Lake Charles in waters west of
                93[deg]13'51.2'' W, east of 93[deg]14'8.3'' W, and extending 500 yards
                south from the north shoreline of Lake Charles, LA. The Captain of the
                Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur (COTP) has determined that
                potential hazards associated with the pro watercross races would be a
                safety concern for spectator craft and vessels in the vicinity of these
                race events.
                 The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels
                and the navigable waters in the vicinity of the pro watercross race
                course, during, and after the scheduled races. The Coast Guard is
                proposing this rulemaking under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034
                (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).
                III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
                 The COTP is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone from 8
                a.m. on August 28, 2021, through 6 p.m. on August 29, 2021. The safety
                zone would be enforced from 8 a.m. through 6 p.m. on both days the 28th
                and the 29th of August 2021. The safety zone would cover all navigable
                waters west of 93[deg]13'51.2'' W, east of 93[deg]14'8.3'' W, and
                extending 500 yards south from the north shoreline of Lake Charles, LA.
                The duration of the safety zone is intended to protect participants,
                spectators, and other persons and vessels, in the navigable waters of
                the Lake Charles during the watercross races.
                 No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone
                without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated
                representative. They may be contacted on VHF-FM channel 13 or 16, or by
                phone at by telephone at 337-912-0073.
                 The COTP or a designated representative may prohibit or control the
                movement of all vessels in the zone. When hailed or signaled by an
                official patrol vessel, a vessel would come to an immediate stop and
                comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in
                expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both. The
                COTP or a designated representative may terminate the operation of any
                vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of life or
                property. The COTP or a designated representative may terminate
                enforcement of the safety zone at the conclusion of the event.
                 The COTP or a designated representative would inform the public of
                the effective period for the safety zone as well as any changes in the
                dates and times of enforcement through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs),
                Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information
                Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.
                IV. Regulatory Analyses
                 We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes
                and Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our
                analyses based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and
                we discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.
                A. Regulatory Planning and Review
                 Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the
                costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
                regulation is necessary, to select regulatory
                [[Page 29726]]
                approaches that maximize net benefits. This NPRM has not been
                designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order
                12866. Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of
                Management and Budget (OMB).
                 This regulatory action determination is based the size, location,
                and duration of the safety zone. The temporary safety zone would be
                enforced on a 500-yards by 500-yards portion of navigable waters of
                Lake Charles, LA, for only two days. This rule would be enforced to
                protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from hazards
                associated with the pro watercross race.
                B. Impact on Small Entities
                 The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
                amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
                regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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
                proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
                substantial number of small entities.
                 While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the
                safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section
                IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic
                impact on any vessel owner or operator.
                 If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
                jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have
                a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see
                ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what
                degree this rule would economically affect it.
                 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 proposed 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 call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                CONTACT section. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small
                entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any
                policy or action of the Coast Guard.
                C. Collection of Information
                 This proposed rule would not call for a new collection of
                information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
                3520).
                D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
                 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 proposed rule under that order and
                have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
                principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
                13132.
                 Also, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
                Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
                Governments) because it would 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. If
                you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or
                Indian tribes, please call or email the person listed in the FOR
                FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
                E. 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 proposed rule would not
                result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule
                elsewhere in this preamble.
                F. Environment
                 We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland
                Security 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 preliminary 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. This proposed rule involves a safety
                zone lasting 10 hours on each of the two event days, and would prohibit
                entry within 500 yards of the beach area of North Lake Charles.
                Normally such actions are categorically excluded from further review
                under paragraph L60 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual
                023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A preliminary 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. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the
                discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed
                rule.
                G. Protest Activities
                 The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
                Protesters are asked to call or email the person listed in the FOR
                FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so
                that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or
                security of people, places, or vessels.
                V. Public Participation and Request for Comments
                 We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking,
                and will consider all comments and material received during the comment
                period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If
                you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
                rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which
                each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or
                recommendation.
                 We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking
                Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be
                submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person
                in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for
                alternate instructions.
                 We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal information you have
                provided. For more about privacy and submissions in response to this
                document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226,
                March 11, 2020).
                 Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket,
                and public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's
                instructions. We review all
                [[Page 29727]]
                comments received, but we will only post comments that address the
                topic of the proposed rule. We may choose not to post off-topic,
                inappropriate, or duplicate comments that we receive.
                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 is
                proposing to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows:
                PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREA AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
                0
                1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
                 Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-
                6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
                0
                2. Add Sec. 165.T08-0379 to read as follows:
                Sec. 165.T08-0379 Safety Zone; Lake Charles, Lake Charles, Louisiana.
                 (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable
                waters of the Lake Charles west of 93[deg]13'51.2'' W, east of
                93[deg]14'8.3'' W, and extending 500 yards south from the northern
                shore of Lake Charles. The duration of the safety zone is intended to
                protect participants, spectators, and other persons and vessels, on the
                navigable waters of the Lake Charles during the watercross races.
                 (b) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m.
                through 6 p.m. on August 28, 2021 and August 29, 2021.
                 (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in
                Sec. 165.23, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited
                unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port
                Arthur (COTP) or a designated representative. They may be contacted on
                VHF-FM channel 13 or 16, or by phone at by telephone at 337-912-0073.
                 (2) The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control
                the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or
                signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an
                immediate stop and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so
                may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply,
                or both.
                 (3) The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the event
                or the operation of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for
                the protection of life or property.
                 (4) The COTP or a designated representative will terminate
                enforcement of the special local regulations at the conclusion of the
                event.
                 (d) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated
                representative will inform the public of the effective period for the
                safety zone as well as any changes in the dates and times of
                enforcement through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs), Broadcast Notices
                to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs)
                as appropriate.
                 Dated: May 27, 2021.
                Molly A. Wike,
                Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port
                Arthur.
                [FR Doc. 2021-11584 Filed 6-2-21; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
                

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