Safety Zones Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)

Federal Register Volume 83, Number 62 (Friday, March 30, 2018)

Rules and Regulations

Pages 13642-13644

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov

FR Doc No: 2018-06396

Page 13642

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

Docket Number USCG-2018-0090

RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zones Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Delaware Bay and River to restrict and protect vessel traffic during the transit of two Post-Panamax gantry cranes to the Port of Philadelphia. This action is intended to protect mariners and vessels from the hazards associated with the transportation of these large cranes. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless a vessel meets the stated requirements or is specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from March 30, 2018 through March 31, 2018. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from March 20, 2018 through March 30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-

2018-0090 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 Petty Officer Edmund Ofalt, Waterways Management Branch, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay; telephone (215) 271-4814, email email protected.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

  1. Table of Abbreviations

    CFR Code of Federal Regulations

    COTP Captain of the Port

    DHS Department of Homeland Security

    FR Federal Register

    NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

    Sec. Section

    U.S.C. United States Code

  2. 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 due to the short time period between when Sector Delaware Bay received complete details of this operation, March 8, 2018, and the date when this safety zone needs to go into effect by. It is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to publish an NPRM before issuing this rule because we must establish this safety zone by March 20, 2018 to ensure the safety of persons and vessels participating in or transiting near the transit operations.

    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 and contrary to the public interest because immediate action is needed to mitigate the hazards presented to safety of life in the Delaware Bay and River presented by the transit of equipment of this size.

  3. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 1231.

    The COTP Delaware Bay has determined that potential hazards are associated with the transit of the motor vessel (M/V) ZHEN HUA 16 beginning when the vessel arrives at the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station. There will be a continuing safety concern for anyone within a 200-yard radius of the vessel until it is moored at Greenwich Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

  4. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary traveling safety zone in the Delaware River and Bay in order to facilitate the delivery of two post-

    Panamax gantry cranes to the Greenwich Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The safety zone includes all navigable waters within 200 yards of the M/V ZHEN HUA 16 during its transit from the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station to Greenwich Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Enforcement of the safety zone will begin when the M/V ZHEN HUA 16 arrives at the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station and terminate when the vessel completes mooring operations at the Greenwich Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The anticipated date of arrival for the M/V ZHEN HUA 16 at the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station is March 20, 2018, with alternate dates of March 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26, 2018. The exact timeframe that will be required to complete the transit is unable to be known in advance, but the Coast Guard estimates that it may take up to 48 hours to complete the journey from the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station to Greenwich Terminal (with additional time possibly needed to complete mooring).

    To ensure a safe transit between the station and the terminal, the vessel may stop in a designated anchorage area, as set forth in 33 CFR 110.157, for a short time if necessary due to weather and tidal requirements. The safety zone will remain in place during any time the vessel spends anchored. Vessels may transit through the safety zone while the M/V ZHEN HUA 16 is anchored in a designated anchorage area if they meet the following requirements: Transit through the safety zone at the minimum safe speed to reduce wake and maintain steerage, and, except for towing vessels designated as assist tugs and operating in such capacity, do not overtake, meet, or otherwise pass any other unmoored or unanchored vessel while transiting through the safety zone. Vessels which do not meet all of the requirements listed above are prohibited from entering or transiting the safety zone without prior approval of the COTP Delaware Bay. Vessels requesting to enter or transit the safety zone may contact the Sector Delaware Bay Command Center via VHF-FM channel 16. The Coast Guard anticipates that most vessels will be able to freely transit around the safety zone and will not need to seek permission to enter the zone while the M/V XHEN HUA 16 is underway.

    There will be a pre-designated safety vessel escorting the ZHEN HUA 16 while it is underway to monitor the flow of traffic and inform mariners that the gantry crane transit is in progress.

    The Coast Guard will be establishing a second safety zone through a separate rulemaking to ensure the safety of vessels and persons transiting the area during offloading operations once the vessel reaches the terminal.

  5. 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.

    Page 13643

    1. 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 the short duration of the rule. The rule also allows for vessels to transit through the safety zone while the M/V XHEN HUA 16 is in a designated anchorage if certain requirements are met, and the Coast Guard anticipates that most vessels will be able to freely transit around the safety zone and will not need to seek permission to enter the zone while the M/V XHEN HUA 16 is underway. For these reasons the impact on waterway traffic is expected to be minimal.

    2. 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 contact 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.

    3. 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).

    4. 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 contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

    5. 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.

    6. Environment

      We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 moving safety zone lasting only the duration of transit from the Delaware Bay Pilot's station to Greenwich Terminals and a stationary safety zone, which allows vessels to transit if certain requirements are met, lasting approximately six days. 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. 01. A Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

    7. Protest Activities

      The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to contact 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: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 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.T05-0090 to read as follows:

        Sec. 165.T05-0090 Safety Zones; Delaware River, Philadelphia PA.

        (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable waters within 200 yards of the M/V ZHEN HUA 16

        Page 13644

        while the vessel is transiting from the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station to Greenwich Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

        (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.

        (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general safety zones regulations in subpart C of this part and except for as described in paragraph (c)(3) of this section, vessels may not enter, remain in, or transit the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.

        (2) To seek permission to enter or remain in the zone, unless moored or anchored outside the main navigational channel, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative via VHF-FM Channel 16. 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.

        (3) Vessels may transit the safety zone described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section without permission from the COTP if all of the following criteria are met:

        (i) The M/V ZHEN HUA 16 is anchored in a designated anchorage as defined in 33 CFR 110.157.

        (ii) Vessels maintain the minimum safe speed to reduce wake and maintain steerage.

        (iii) Except towing vessels designated as assist tugs and operating in such capacity, no vessel may meet, overtake or otherwise pass another unmoored or unanchored vessel within the safety zone.

        (d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.

        (e) Enforcement period. Enforcement of the safety zone will begin when the M/V ZHEN HUA 16 arrives at the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station and terminate when the vessel completes mooring operations at the Greenwich Terminal in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The anticipated date of arrival for the M/V ZHEN HUA 16 at the Delaware Bay Pilot's Station is March 20, 2018, with alternate dates of March 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, or 26, 2018. The exact timeframe that will be required to complete the transit is unable to be known in advance, but the Coast Guard estimates that it may take up to 48 hours from arrival at Delaware Bay Pilot's Station until complete mooring at Greenwich Terminal.

        Dated: March 20, 2018.

        Scott E. Anderson,

        Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Delaware Bay.

        FR Doc. 2018-06396 Filed 3-29-18; 8:45 am

        BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

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