Rule2024-07079
Safety Zone; Kokosing ROV Survey Operation, Straits of Mackinac, MI
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
April 4, 2024
Effective
April 4, 2024
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 500-yard radius of Tug Nancy Anne, Tug Champion, Tug General, Tug WM Boyd, Tug Shirley Ann and crew boat Timmy V. The safety zone is needed to protect the remotely operated vehicle survey operations from other vessels. Entry of vessels into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Northern Great Lakes.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 66 (Thursday, April 4, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 66 (Thursday, April 4, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23512-23514]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-07079]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2024-0204]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Kokosing ROV Survey Operation, Straits of Mackinac,
MI
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 500-yard radius of Tug Nancy Anne, Tug
Champion, Tug General, Tug WM Boyd, Tug Shirley Ann and crew boat Timmy
V. The safety zone is needed to protect the remotely operated vehicle
survey operations from other vessels. Entry of vessels into this zone
is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port
Northern Great Lakes.
DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from April 4, 2024
through May 15, 2024. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice
will be used from April 1, 2024 until April 4, 2024.
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-
2024-0204 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 about this
rulemaking, call or email LT Rebecca Simpson, telephone 906-635-3223,
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2251514f52504754474c564b4d4c62575141450c4f4b4e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f784849a878592819299839e9899b782849490d99a9e9b">[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
ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule under authority in 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This statutory 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.'' 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
to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety zone by April
1, 2024.
Also, 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. This rule is needed to protect the
vessels and personnel involved in the ROV survey operations from other
vessels transiting the Straits of Mackinac at the same time this
project is being conducted.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70034. The Captain of the Port Sector Northern Great Lakes (COTP) has
determined that potential hazards associated with the
[[Page 23513]]
ROV survey starting April 1, 2024, will be a safety concern for anyone
within a 500-yard radius of the equipment, including Tug Nancy Anne,
Tug Champion, Tug General, Tug WM Boyd, Tug Shirley Ann and crew boat
Timmy V. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the
marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone while
the stone laying operation is being conducted.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone from April 1, 2024 through May
15, 2024. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within 500
yards of Tug Nancy Anne, Tug Champion, Tug General, Tug WM Boyd, Tug
Shirley Ann and crew boat Timmy V. The duration of the safety zone is
intended to protect personnel and vessels involved with conducting the
ROV survey operations. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter
the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP.
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 section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as
amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review).
Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB).
This regulatory action determination is based on the size and
location of the safety zone. Vessel traffic will be able to safely
transit around this safety zone which would impact a small designated
area of the Straits of Mackinac. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a
Local Notice to Mariners about the safety zone, and the rule would
allow vessels to seek permission to enter the 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 would 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 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
rule involves all vessels. Normally such actions are categorically
excluded from further review under paragraph L[60a] of Appendix A,
Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. We seek any
comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant
environmental impact from this 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.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping
[[Page 23514]]
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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1,
6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T09-0207 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T09-0207 Safety Zone; Tugs Nancy Anne, Champion, General, WM
Boyd, Shirley Ann, and crew boat Timmy V operating in the Straits of
Mackinac, MI.
(a) Location. The following areas are safety zones: All navigable
water within 500 yards of the Tugs Nancy Anne, Champion, General, WM
Boyd, Shirley Ann, and crew boat Timmy V while conducting ROV survey
operations within one nautical mile of charted submerged pipeline or
cable within the Straits of Mackinac RNA.
(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 Northern Great Lakes (COTP) in the enforcement of
the safety zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
subpart D of this part, you may not enter 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, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative by VHF Channel 16 or telephone at (906) 635-3233. 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.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 12:01
a.m. April 1, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on May 15, 2024.
Dated: March 29, 2024.
J.R. Bendle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Northern Great
Lakes.
[FR Doc. 2024-07079 Filed 4-3-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on April 4, 2024.
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