Rule2021-13310
Safety Zone; South Timbalier Block 22, Gulf of Mexico, Port Fourchon, LA
Primary source
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Published
June 24, 2021
Effective
June 24, 2021
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters within a one nautical mile radius around a capsized vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, South Timbalier block 22, near Port Fourchon, LA. The temporary safety zone is needed to protect life and property during emergency salvage operations surrounding the capsized vessel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone and movement of vessels within this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Houma or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 86 Issue 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 119 (Thursday, June 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33126-33128]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2021-13310]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2021-0430]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; South Timbalier Block 22, Gulf of Mexico, Port
Fourchon, 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 within a one nautical mile radius around a
capsized vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, South Timbalier block 22, near
Port Fourchon, LA. The temporary safety zone is needed to protect life
and property during emergency salvage operations surrounding the
capsized vessel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone and
movement of vessels within this zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Houma or a
designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from June 24, 2021
through August 2, 2021. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice
will be used from June 15, 2021 until June 24, 2021.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2021-0430 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Next, in the
Document Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email Commander Matthew M. Spolarich, Chief of Prevention, U.S.
Coast Guard; telephone 985-850-6437, email:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#aae7cbdedec2cfdd84e784f9dac5c6cbd8c3c9c2eadfd9c9cd84c7c3c6"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="97daf6e3e3fff2e0b9dab9c4e7f8fbf6e5fef4ffd7e2e4f4f0b9fafefb">[email protected]</span></a>.
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 impractible. A safety zone is
necessary to facilitate safe salvage operations surrounding a capsized
vessel that has garnered high media interest and is in a location
frequented by commercial and recreational vessel traffic. Immediate
action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated
with recovery salvage operations. We must establish this safety zone by
June 15, 2021 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 against the public interest because immediate action
is needed to continue ongoing recovery salvage operations.
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 Marine
Safety Unit Houma (COTP) has determined that potential hazards
associated with the recovery salvage operations continuing through
August 2, 2021, will be a safety concern for anyone within a one
nautical mile radius around the capsized vessel in South Timbalier
Block 22 of the Gulf of Mexico at position 29[deg]00'25.7877'' N,
090[deg]11'52.9852'' W. This rule is needed to protect life and
property on the navigable waters while recovery salvage operations are
ongoing.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from June 15, 2021
through August 02, 2021. The safety zone will cover all navigable
waters within a one nautical mile radius around position
29[deg]00'25.7877'' N, 090[deg]11'52.9852'' W,
[[Page 33127]]
in South Timbalier Block 22 of the Gulf of Mexico, near Port Fouchon,
LA. The duration of the zone is intended to protect life and property
on these navigable waters for the duration of emergency recovery
salvage operations related to the capsized vessel. No vessel or person
will be permitted to enter and move within the safety zone without
obtaining permission from 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 Marine Safety Unit Houma. Vessels requiring entry into this
safety zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated
representative. They may be contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67.
Persons and vessels permitted to enter or to move within this safety
zone must transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all
lawful directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public of the
enforcement periods and changes 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 limited scale
of the safety zone and the ease of vessel traffic navigating around
said zone.
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.
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
safety zone that will prohibit entry within a one nautical mile radius
of vessels and machinery being used by personnel response operations to
a capsized vessel. It is categorically excluded from further review
under paragraph L60(d) 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.
[[Page 33128]]
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.T08-0430 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0430 Safety Zone; South Timbalier Block 22, Gulf of
Mexico, Port Fourchon, LA.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable
waters within a one nautical mile radius of the capsized vessel and
emergency response operations taking place at 29[deg]00'25.7877'' N,
090[deg]11'52.9852'' W.
(b) Effective period. This section is effective without actual
notice from June 24, 2021 through August 02, 2021. For the purposes of
enforcement, actual notice will be used from June 15, 2021 until June
24, 2021.
(c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in
Sec. 165.23 of this part, entry into or remaining within this zone is
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety
Unit (COTP) or 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 Marine Safety
Unit Houma.
(2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be
contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67 or by telephone at (985) 665-2437.
(3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful
directions issued by COTP or the designated representative.
(e) 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 (BNMs), Local Notices
to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs)
as appropriate.
J.W. Russell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Unit
Houma.
[FR Doc. 2021-13310 Filed 6-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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