Safety Zone; Sunken Vessel Salvage; Port Sutton Channel; Tampa, Florida

Published date18 November 2019
Record Number2019-24905
SectionRules and Regulations
CourtCoast Guard
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 222 (Monday, November 18, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 222 (Monday, November 18, 2019)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 63577-63579]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-24905]
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                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
                Coast Guard
                33 CFR Part 165
                [Docket Number USCG-2019-0898]
                RIN 1625-AA00
                Safety Zone; Sunken Vessel Salvage; Port Sutton Channel; Tampa,
                Florida
                AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
                ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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                SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
                navigable waters within a 150-foot radius of a sunken vessel, in Port
                Sutton Channel in Tampa, FL. The safety zone is needed to protect
                personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards
                created by the sunken vessel and its salvage. Entry of vessels or
                persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by
                the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg.
                DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from November 18,
                2019 through December 1, 2019. For the purposes of enforcement, actual
                notice will be used from November 12, 2019 through November 18, 2019.
                ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
                available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
                2019-0898 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 Marine Science Technician First Class Michael
                Shackleford, Sector St. Petersburg Prevention Department, Coast Guard;
                telephone (813) 228-2191, 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 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 provide for the safety of vessel traffic in the port and
                to provide a safe work area around the vessel that sunk on November 11,
                2019. There is insufficient time to publish a NPRM.
                 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 impracticable because immediate action is needed to
                respond to the incident.
                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 St.
                Petersburg (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with
                the sunken vessel in Port Sutton Channel, Florida will be a safety
                concern for anyone within a 150 foot-radius of the sunken vessel. This
                rule is needed to protect personnel and vessels in the navigable waters
                within the safety zone while the vessel remains sunk.
                IV. Discussion of the Rule
                 This rule establishes a safety zone from 5 p.m. on November 12,
                2019 through 9 a.m. on December 1, 2019. The safety zone will cover all
                navigable waters within a 150-foot radius of a sunken vessel in Port
                Sutton Channel. The duration of the zone is intended to protect
                personnel and vessels in these navigable waters while the sunken vessel
                is salvaged. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety
                zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated
                representative.
                V. Regulatory Analyses
                 We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
                Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
                [[Page 63578]]
                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. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control
                regulatory costs through a budgeting process. 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), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt
                from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
                 This regulatory action determination is based on: (1) The safety
                zone will be enforced for 20 days; (2) although persons and vessels are
                prohibited to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the
                regulated area without authorization from the Captain of the Port St.
                Petersburg or a designated representative, they may operate in the
                surrounding area during the enforcement period; and (3) the Coast Guard
                will provide notification of the safety zone to the local maritime
                community by a Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
                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
                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. If
                you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes,
                please call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                CONTACT section above.
                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 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 safety zone lasting 20 days that will
                prohibit entry within a 150-foot radius of a sunken vessel in Port
                Sutton Channel. It is categorically excluded from further review under
                paragraph L60(d) in Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard Environmental
                Planning Implementing Procedures. A Record of Environmental
                Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket
                where indicated under ADDRESSES.
                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.T07-0898 to read as follows:
                Sec. 165.T07-0898 Safety Zone; Sunken Vessel; Port Sutton Channel,
                Tampa, FL.
                 (a) Regulated area. The following area is established as a safety
                zone. All
                [[Page 63579]]
                waters of Port Sutton Channel within a 150-foot radius of a sunken
                vessel located at 27[deg]54'14'' N, 082[deg]24'57'' W, in Tampa, FL.
                 (b) Definition. The term ``designated representative'' means Coast
                Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty
                officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and
                Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the
                Captain of the Port St. Petersburg in the enforcement of the regulated
                areas.
                 (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from
                entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the
                regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port St.
                Petersburg or a designated representative.
                 (2) Designated representatives may control vessel traffic
                throughout the enforcement area as determined by the prevailing
                conditions.
                 (3) Persons and vessels may request authorization to enter, transit
                through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated areas by contacting
                the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg by telephone at (727) 824-7506,
                or a designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16. If
                authorization is granted by the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a
                designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such
                authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the
                Port St. Petersburg or a designated representative.
                 (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced daily from 5
                p.m. on November 12, 2019 through 9 a.m. on December 1, 2019.
                 Dated: November 12, 2019.
                Matthew A. Thompson,
                Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port St. Petersburg.
                [FR Doc. 2019-24905 Filed 11-15-19; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
                

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