Safety Zone; Red River, Mile Marker 59, Moncla, LA
| Published date | 10 March 2021 |
| Citation | 86 FR 13651 |
| Record Number | 2021-04948 |
| Section | Rules and Regulations |
| Court | Coast Guard |
Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 45 (Wednesday, March 10, 2021)
[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 45 (Wednesday, March 10, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 13651-13653]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-04948]
[[Page 13651]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2021-0021]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Red River, Mile Marker 59, Moncla, LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
all navigable waters of the Red River (RR), Mile Marker 58 through 60.
The safety zone is needed to protect persons, property, and the marine
environment from the potential safety hazards associated with line
pulling operations in the vicinity of Moncla, LA. Entry of persons or
vessels into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain
of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River or a designated
representative.
DATES: This rule is effective March 11, 2021 through March 25, 2021.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0021 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email MSTC Lindsey Swindle, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 901-
521-4813, email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary 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 impracticable. Immediate action
is needed to protect persons and property from the potential safety
hazards associated with line pulling operations. Initially, these
operations were set to begin from March 4, 2021 through March 10, 2021.
However, the contractor handling the line pulling operations informed
us that they cannot start the work until March 11, 2021. A temporary
final rule for these operations was published in the Federal Register
on March 4, 2021 (86 FR 12543). The NPRM process would delay the
establishment of the safety zone until after the date of the event and
compromise public safety. We must establish this temporary safety zone
immediately and lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment
period and then consider those comments before issuing the rule.
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. Delaying the effective date of
this rule would be contrary to the public interest because immediate
action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated
with the line pulling operations in the vicinity of Moncla, LA.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Sector Lower
Mississippi River (COTP) has determined that potential hazards
associated with the line pulling operations, would be a safety concern
for all persons and vessels on the Red River between MM 58 and MM 60 in
the vicinity of Moncla, LA. This rule is needed to protect persons,
property, infrastructure, and the marine environment in all waters of
the RR within the safety zone while line pulling operations are being
conducted.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from March 11, 2021
through March 25, 2021. Initially, these operations were set to begin
on March 4, 2021 through March 10, 2021. However, the contractor
handling the line pulling operations informed us that they cannot start
work until March 11, 2021. The safety zone will cover all navigable
waters of the RR from MM 58 through MM 60 in the vicinity of Moncla,
LA. The duration of this safety zone is intended to ensure the safety
of waterway users on these navigable waters during line pulling
operations.
Entry of persons or vessels into this safety zone is prohibited
unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative. A
designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer
of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control
of USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River. Persons or vessels seeking to
enter the safety zones must request permission from the COTP or a
designated representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 901-
521-4822. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall
comply with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public of the
enforcement times and date for this safety zone through Broadcast
Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate.
V. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this 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 approaches that maximize
net benefits. This rule has not been designated a ``significant
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this
rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB).
This regulatory action determination is based on the size,
location, and duration of the safety zone. This emergency safety zone
will temporarily restrict navigation on the RR at MM 58 through 60 in
the vicinity of Moncla, LA., from March 11, 2021 through March 25,
2021. Moreover, The Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notices to
Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety
Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate. The rule allows vessels
to seek permission to enter the zone.
[[Page 13652]]
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 rule
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities.
While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the
temporary safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in
section V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic
impact on any vessel owner or operator.
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
call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
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.
C. 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).
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 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 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.
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 rule will not result in
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere
in this preamble.
F. Environment
We have analyzed this 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 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 involves a
temporary safety zone on the RR at MM 58 through 60 in the vicinity of
Moncla, LA, that will prohibit entry into this zone. The safety zone
will only be enforced while operations preclude the safe navigation of
the established channel. It is categorically excluded from further
review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction
Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A 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.
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.
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
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.T08-0021 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0021 Safety Zone; Red River, Mile Marker 59, Moncla, LA
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable
waters of the Red River at Mile Marker (MM) 58 through 60 in the
vicinity of Moncla, LA.
(b) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the Captain of the
Port Sector Lower Mississippi River (COTP) or the COTP's designated
representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant,
or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the
operational control of USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 901-521-4822.
Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated
representative.
(c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from March
11, 2021 until March 25, 2021.
(d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to
Mariners, and/or Safety Marine Information Broadcasts, as appropriate.
[[Page 13653]]
Dated: March 4, 2021.
R.S. Rhodes,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi
River.
[FR Doc. 2021-04948 Filed 3-9-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
