Security Zone; Patapsco River, Baltimore, MD

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for certain navigable waters of the Patapsco River. The security zone is needed to protect persons, including those under the protection of the United States Secret Service (USSS), and property from terrorist acts and incidents and to prevent terrorist acts or incidents during a high- ranking public official visit. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 192 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 192 (Tuesday, October 6, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63497-63498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-20477]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2026-1287]
RIN 1625-AA87


Security Zone; Patapsco River, Baltimore, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for 
certain navigable waters of the Patapsco River. The security zone is 
needed to protect persons, including those under the protection of the 
United States Secret Service (USSS), and property from terrorist acts 
and incidents and to prevent terrorist acts or incidents during a high-
ranking public official visit. Entry of vessels or persons into this 
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the 
Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. on October 6, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: To view available documents, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1287.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, 
contact Lieutenant Commander Randy Johnston, Sector Maryland-National 
Capital Region, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard: 
telephone 410-576-2519, or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4b192a252f3265076521242325383f24250b3e38282c65262227"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f1a3909f9588dfbddf9b9e999f82859e9fb184829296df9c989d">[email&#160;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
MD Maryland
NCR National Capital Region
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code
USSS United States Secret Service

II. Background Information and Authority

    The Coast Guard received notification that persons under the 
protection of the United States Secret Service (USSS) will conduct a 
visit to Baltimore, MD, during the afternoon of October 6, 2026. The 
nationally publicized event is being held in Baltimore, MD, in close 
proximity to navigable waterways within the Captain of the Port (COTP) 
Maryland-National Capital Region's (MD-NCR) Area of Responsibility, as 
set forth at 33 CFR 3.25-15. The COTP MD-NCR has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the high-ranking official public 
visit are a safety and security concern for anyone within 1,000 yards 
of their location. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule under the 
authority in 46 U.S.C. 70051 and 70124, which is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the security zone.

[[Page 63498]]

    Because of risks associated with 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 29, 2026, but we must establish 
this security zone by October 6, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment. Therefore, we have 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 security zone from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m. on 
October 6, 2026. The zone will cover navigable waters on the Patapsco 
River within 1,000 yards of Sparrows Point and Bear Creek. No vessel or 
person will be permitted to enter the security zone without obtaining 
permission from the COTP or their designated representative.

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 security zone. It is categorically excluded from 
further review under paragraph L60 (c) emergency situation less than a 
week for a high-ranking public official visit under the protection of 
the USSS 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 165.T05-1287 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-1287   Security Zone; Patapsco River, Baltimore, MD.

    (a) Location. The following area is a security zone: All navigable 
waters of the Patapsco River, within 1,000 yards of Sparrows Point and 
Bear Creek.
    (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 (COTP) Sector Maryland-National Capital Region in 
the enforcement of the security zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general security zone regulations in 
subpart D of this part, you may not enter the security 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 on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at (410) 576-2693. 
Those in the security 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 1 p.m. 
until 7 p.m. on October 6, 2026.

Patrick C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2026-20477 Filed 10-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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