Rule2026-18856
Safety Zone; Calcasieu River Channel, Lake Charles, LA
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
September 15, 2026
Effective
September 15, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Calcasieu River Channel near the Cameron LNG turning basin. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the installation and removal of the submerged dredge pipeline. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Port Arthur, or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 177 (Tuesday, September 15, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58375-58377]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18856]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-1193]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Calcasieu River Channel, Lake Charles, 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 Calcasieu River Channel near the Cameron LNG
turning basin. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels,
and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the
installation and removal of the submerged dredge pipeline. Entry of
vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Port Arthur, or their designated
representative.
DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from September 15,
2026 through October 31, 2026. For the purposes of enforcement, actual
notice will be used from September 11, 2026, until September 15, 2026.
It will be enforced for four hours on each of two days during this
period, depending on the dates the dredge pipeline is installed and
removed.
[[Page 58376]]
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1193.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact Lieutenant Michael Bangh, MSU Lake Charles Waterways Management
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 337-912-0073, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e58896908986929288a590968682cb888c89"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff928c8a939c888892bf8a8c9c98d1929693">[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
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard received notification of a dredge pipeline
installation and removal in the Calcasieu River Channel near the
Cameron LNG turning basin. The subline installation and removal
operation presents navigational and safety hazards to commercial and
recreational traffic over the entire width of the Calcasieu River
Channel in that area. Hazards from this project include but are not
limited to deployment of heavy equipment 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 installation and 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. The Coast Guard was notified of this
event on September 1, 2026, but we must establish this safety zone by
September 11, 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 reason, 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 that will be enforced for
approximately four hours on the days of the pipeline installation and
removal, to occur between September 11, 2026 and October 31, 2026. The
COTP will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to inform the public of
the exact date and time of enforcement, which will depend on the
schedule for installation and removal of a dredge pipeline. The safety
zone will cover all navigable waters in the Calcasieu River Channel
within the following points: Point 1 at 30[deg]2'45.43'' N
93[deg]19'53.01'' W, thence to Point 2 at 30[deg]2'44.30'' N
93[deg]19'39.54'' W, thence to Point 3 at 30[deg]2'0.65'' N
93[deg]19'56.76'' W thence to Point 4 at 30[deg]2'0.16'' N
93[deg]19'40.92'' W; thence returning to Point 1. The duration of the
zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment in these navigable waters during the pipeline installation
and removal. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety
zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated
representative. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter the
zone during this time, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.
IV. 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.
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 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 et seq.), 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.
[[Page 58377]]
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; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T08-1193 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-1193 Safey Zone; Calcasieu River Channel, Lake Charles,
LA.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable
waters in the Calcasieu River Channel within the following points:
Point 1 at 30[deg]2'45.43'' N 93[deg]19'53.01'' W, thence to Point 2 at
30[deg]2'44.30'' N 93[deg]19'39.54'' W, thence to Point 3 at
30[deg]2'0.65'' N 93[deg]19'56.76'' W thence to Point 4 at
30[deg]2'0.16'' N 93[deg]19'40.92'' W; thence returning to Point 1. 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 September
11, 2026 through October 31, 2026, but will only be enforced for four-
hours on each of two days during this period. The enforcement date and
time will depend upon the schedule for installation and removal of a
dredge pipeline. The COTP or a designated representative will inform
the public of the exact enforcement times through Broadcast Notice to
Mariners.
M.E. Kelly,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit
Port Arthur By Direction.
[FR Doc. 2026-18856 Filed 9-14-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 15, 2026.
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