Rule2026-09270
Safety Zone; Bancroft Canal, Cameron Parish, LA
Primary source
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Published
May 11, 2026
Effective
May 11, 2026
Issuing agencies
Coast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Bancroft Canal between points 30[deg]01'12.67" N, 093[deg]37'23.07" W, and 30[deg]01'12.03" N, 093[deg]36'18.60" W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the active response and cleanup of an oil spill on the waterway. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Port Arthur.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 90 (Monday, May 11, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 90 (Monday, May 11, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25495-25496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09270]
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DEPARTMET OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0497]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Bancroft Canal, Cameron Parish, LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
navigable waters on the Bancroft Canal between points 30[deg]01'12.67''
N, 093[deg]37'23.07'' W, and 30[deg]01'12.03'' N, 093[deg]36'18.60'' W.
The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards created by the active response and
cleanup of an oil spill on the waterway. Entry of vessels or persons
into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the
Captain of the Port, Port Arthur.
DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from May 11, 2026
through June 1, 2026, unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of the
Port. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from
May 6, 2026, until May 11, 2026. It will be enforced every day during
this period between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0497.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact Lieutenant Christopher Payne, MSU Lake Charles Waterways
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 337-912-0073, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#fc918f89909f8b8b91bc898f9f9bd2919590"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e9849a9c858a9e9e84a99c9a8a8ec7848085">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
GIWW Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
MM Mile Marker
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard is currently conducting oil spill response actions
in the Bancroft Channel between approximate points 30[deg]01'12.67'' N,
093[deg]37'23.07'' W, and 30[deg]01'12.03'' N, 093[deg]36'18.60'' W,
LA. The pollution response presents navigational and safety hazards to
commercial and recreational traffic over the entire width of the
Bancroft Canal in that area. Hazards from this project include but are
not limited to onloading of oiled equipment and materials to work
barges which will obstruct vessel traffic, and associated activities
which create underwater hazards for workers and the public. The Captain
of the Port (COTP) Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur has determined that
potential hazards associated with the removal are a safety concern for
anyone that may transit within the area. Therefore, the COTP is issuing
this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, which is needed to
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable
waters within the safety zone.
Because of these potential hazards, the Coast Guard is issuing this
rule without prior notice and comment. As is authorized by 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 and contrary to the public interest.
The need for these Coast Guard response activities was identified on
April 20, 2026, and this safety zone must be established by May 6,
2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment.
Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to
comments.
For the same reasons, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than
30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone for 7 days a week between 6:00
a.m. and 6:00 p.m., for the period between May 6, 2026, and June 1,
2026. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters of the Bancroft
Canal between points 30[deg]01'12.67'' N, 093[deg]37'23.07'' W, and
30[deg]01'12.03'' N, 093[deg]36'18.60'' W. The duration of the zone is
intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in
these navigable waters during the oil spill response operations. No
vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. The
COTP will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to inform the public of
this safety zone and may terminate enforcement of this zone if response
operations are completed before June 1, 2026.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analysis
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The regulatory flexibility analysis provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that
are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for
good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would
otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's
flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and
Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small
Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 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.
B. 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).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism,
and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental
federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that
Order.
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
[[Page 25496]]
Federal Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power
and responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in
an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation)
by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector.
E. 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 is a safety zone. 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.
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, 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. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T08-0497 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0497 Safey Zone; Bancroft Canal, Cameron Parish, LA
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable
waters of the Bancroft Canal between points 30[deg]01'12.67'' N,
093[deg]37'23.07'' W, and 30[deg]01'12.03'' N, 093[deg]36'18.60'' W.
All coordinates are based on World Geodetic System (WGS-84).
(b) Definition. 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 Port Arthur.
(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 VHF-FM channel 13 or 16 or by phone at 337-912-0073.
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 periods. This section is effective from May 6, 2026
through June 1, 2026. It will be enforced every day during this period
between 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The COTP or a designated representative
will inform the public of the exact enforcement times through Broadcast
Notice to Mariners, and may terminate enforcement of the zone if oil
spill response operations are completed before June 1, 2026.
J.J. Andrew,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Unit Port
Arthur.
[FR Doc. 2026-09270 Filed 5-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 11, 2026.
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