80 FR 24816 - Safety Zone; Floating Construction Platform, Chicago River, Chicago, IL

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 84 (May 1, 2015)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the South Branch of the Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois. This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from a designated portion of the South Branch of the Chicago River due to the transit of a floating construction platform on April 26, 2015, or alternatively on a later date. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect the surrounding public and vessels from the hazards associated with the transit of the floating construction platform.

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 84 (Friday, May 1, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24816-24819]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-10215]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0333]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Floating Construction Platform, Chicago River, 
Chicago, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
South Branch of the Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois. This temporary 
safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from a designated portion 
of the South

[[Page 24817]]

Branch of the Chicago River due to the transit of a floating 
construction platform on April 26, 2015, or alternatively on a later 
date. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect the 
surrounding public and vessels from the hazards associated with the 
transit of the floating construction platform.

DATES: This rule is effective from May 1, 2015 until May 9, 2015.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
USCG-2015-0333. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the 
docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also 
visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
contact or email MST1 John Ng, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit 
Chicago, at (630) 986-2122 or [email protected]. If you have questions 
on viewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
TFR Temporary Final Rule

A. Regulatory History and Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final rule without prior 
notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 
4(a) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This 
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.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking with 
respect to this rule because doing so would be impracticable and 
contrary to public interest. On April 22, 2015, the Coast Guard 
established a temporary safety zone to accommodate the transit of the 
floating construction platform, which was scheduled for April 19, 2015 
(USCG-2015-0277). However, we recently learned that scheduled transit 
would be postponed to April 26, 2015. We did not know of this change 
and the final details for this event until there was insufficient time 
remaining before the event to publish an NPRM. Thus, delaying the 
effective date of this rule to wait for a comment period to run would 
be both impracticable and contrary to the public interest because it 
would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to protect participants, 
spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with this operation, 
which are discussed further below.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this temporary rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register for the same reasons discussed in 
the preceding paragraph, waiting for a 30 day notice period to run 
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.

B. Basis and Purpose

    The legal basis for this rule is the Coast Guard's authority to 
establish safety zones: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 160.5; 
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
    On April 26, 2015, or alternatively on a later date on or prior to 
May 9, 2015, a floating construction platform will transit up the South 
Branch of the Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois from the Canal Street 
Bridge to the Lake Street Bridge. The Captain of the Port Lake Michigan 
has determined that the transit of the floating construction platform 
poses a significant risk to public safety and property. Such hazards 
include limited maneuverability and restricted visibility associated 
with the transit of a floating construction platform.

C. Discussion of the Final Rule

    With the aforementioned hazards in mind, the Captain of the Port, 
Lake Michigan, has determined that this temporary safety zone is 
necessary to ensure the safety of vessels during the transit of the 
floating construction platform on the South Branch of the Chicago 
River. This rule was enforced from 5:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on April 26, 
2015. However, enforcement may occur on a later date within this 
effective period due to an unanticipated delay. In the event of a 
postponement, advanced notice of the enforcement time will be provided 
through Broadcast Notice to Mariners. The safety zone will encompass 
all waters of South Branch of the Chicago River, Chicago, IL, from the 
Canal Street Bridge to the Lake Street Bridge.
    Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan 
or a designated on-scene representative. The Captain of the Port or a 
designated on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

D. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on these statutes and executive orders.

1. Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or 
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and 
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders.
    We conclude that this rule is not a significant regulatory action 
because we anticipate that it will have minimal impact on the economy, 
will not interfere with other agencies, will not adversely alter the 
budget of any grant or loan recipients, and will not raise any novel 
legal or policy issues. The safety zone created by this rule will only 
impact a small area of the Chicago River and will be enforced for an 
estimated period of seven hours on one day between April 25, 2015 and 
May 9, 2015. Under certain conditions, moreover, vessels may still 
transit through the safety zone when permitted by the Captain of the 
Port or a designated on-scene representative.

2. Impact on Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered the impact of this temporary rule on small entities. 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.
    This rule will affect the following entities, some of which might 
be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit or anchor in the affected portion of the South Branch of the 
Chicago River between 5:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. on April 26, 2015, or 
alternatively on a later date.
    This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a

[[Page 24818]]

substantial number of small entities for the reasons cited in the 
Regulatory Planning and Review section. Additionally, before the 
enforcement of the zone, we would issue local Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners so vessel owners and operators can plan accordingly.

3. Assistance for Small Entities

    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 this rule would affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT, 
above.
    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.

4. 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).

5. Federalism

    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 determined 
that this rule does not have implications for federalism.

6. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact 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.

7. 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.

8. Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

9. Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

10. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule 
is not an economically significant rule and does not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

11. Indian Tribal Governments

    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.

12. Energy Effects

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' under Executive 
Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

13. Technical Standards

    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

14. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which 
guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (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 the establishment of a safety zone and, 
therefore it is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An 
environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and a 
Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may 
lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this 
rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record 
keeping 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: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapters 701, 3306, 3703; 
50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. 
L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T09-0333 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T09-0333  Safety Zone; Floating Construction Platform, 
Chicago River, Chicago, IL.

    (a) Location. All waters of the South Branch of the Chicago River, 
Chicago, IL, from Canal Street Bridge to Lake Street Bridge.
    (b) Effective and Enforcement Period. This rule is effective from 
May 1, 2015 until May 9, 2015. This rule was enforced on April 26, 
2015, by actual notice. This rule may be enforced by actual or 
constructive notice after publication until May 9, 2015.
    (c) Regulations.
    (1) In accordance with the general regulations in Sec.  165.23 of 
this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety zone 
is prohibited unless

[[Page 24819]]

authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated on-
scene representative.
    (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated 
on-scene representative.
    (3) The ``on-scene representative'' of the Captain of the Port Lake 
Michigan is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who 
has been designated by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan to act on 
his or her behalf.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone must contact the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or an on-scene 
representative to obtain permission to do so. The Captain of the Port 
Lake Michigan or an on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF 
Channel 16. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in 
the safety zone must comply with all directions given to them by the 
Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or an on-scene representative.

    Dated: April 22, 2015.
K.M. Moser,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 2015-10215 Filed 4-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P