Rule2024-31671
Safety Zone; Cypress Passage Overhead Powerline Demolition and Removal, Atchafalaya River, LA
Primary source
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Published
January 7, 2025
Effective
January 9, 2025
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 29[deg]47'38.18" N, 91[deg]21'50.52" W, approximately MM 105.5, on the Atchafalaya River, locally known as Cypress Passage, during an overhead electrical powerline structure demolition operation on Thursday, January 9, 2025. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the demolition of the powerline structures resulting in electrical powerlines on the navigational water's surface. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Houma.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1037-1039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31671]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2024-1095]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Cypress Passage Overhead Powerline Demolition and
Removal, Atchafalaya River, LA
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 29[deg]47'38.18'' N,
91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5, on the Atchafalaya River,
locally known as Cypress Passage, during an overhead electrical
powerline structure demolition operation on Thursday, January 9, 2025.
The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards created by the demolition of the
powerline structures resulting in electrical powerlines on the
navigational water's surface. Entry of vessels or persons into this
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the
Port Marine Safety Unit Houma.
DATES: This rule is effective from 8 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST)
on Thursday, January 9, 2025, through 8 p.m. CST on Thursday, January
9, 2025.
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-
2024-1095 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 rule,
call or email LCDR Justin Kimrey at telephone (985) 665-2449 or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3357030b1e405e511e5e40465b5c465e521e445247564144524a4073464050541d5e5a5f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ec88dcd4c19f818ec1819f99848399818dc19b8d98899e9b8d959fac999f8f8bc2818580">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CST Central Standard Time
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
MM Mile Marker
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 under the 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 during the 12-hour
overhead electrical powerline structure demolition the
[[Page 1038]]
electrical powerlines will be on top of the navigational water's
surface, crossing the navigational channel and posing potential safety
hazards to passing vessels. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM
because we must establish this safety zone by January 9, 2025.
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. Delaying the effective date of
this rule would be impracticable because prompt action is needed to
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with electrical
powerlines crossing the navigational channel.
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 Houma (COTP) has determined that
potential hazards associated with the Cypress Passage overhead
powerline demolition and removal occurring on January 9, 2025, will be
a safety concern for anyone within a 500-yard radius of
29[deg]47'38.18'' N, 91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5 on the
Atchafalaya River, locally known as Cypress Passage. This rule is
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the
navigable waters within the safety zone while the electrical power
lines are being removed from the navigational channel.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. on
Thursday January 9, 2024. The safety zone will cover all navigable
waters within a 500-yard radius of 29[deg]47'38.18'' N,
91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5 on the Atchafalaya River,
locally known as Cypress Passage. The duration of the zone is intended
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these
navigable waters while electrical power lines are being removed from
the navigational water's surface during the demolition of overhead
powerline structures along the navigational channel. No vessel or
person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining
permission from the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
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,
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic
will not be able to safely transit around this safety zone which would
impact this designated area of the Atchafalaya River for 12 hours. The
Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine
channel 16 about the 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 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
[[Page 1039]]
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 only 12 hours that will prohibit entry within a
500-yard radius of the demolition site of overhead electrical
powerlines that will cross the navigational water's surface. 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.
Accordingly, 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.T08-1095 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-1095 Safety Zone; Cypress Passage overhead powerline
demolition and removal, Atchafalaya River, LA.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
the Atchafalaya River, locally known as Cypress Passage, from surface
to bottom, within a 500-yard radius of 29[deg]47'38.18'' N,
91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5, during an overhead
electrical powerline structure demolition operation from 8 a.m. CST on
Thursday January 9, 2025 through 8 p.m. CST on Thursday January 9,
2025.
(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 Marine Safety Unit Houma (COTP) in the enforcement
of the safety zone.
(c) 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 COTP or the
COTP's designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative by hailing on VHF radio channels 13 or 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.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m.
CST on Thursday January 9, 2025, through 8 p.m. CST on Thursday January
9, 2025.
Dated: December 31, 2024.
Jason S. Franz,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit
Houma.
[FR Doc. 2024-31671 Filed 1-6-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 7, 2025.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.