80_FR_72162 80 FR 71940 - Safety Zone; Turritella FPSO, Walker Ridge 551, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico

80 FR 71940 - Safety Zone; Turritella FPSO, Walker Ridge 551, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 222 (November 18, 2015)

Page Range71940-71942
FR Document2015-29449

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone around the Turritella FPSO system, Walker Ridge 551 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the safety zone is to protect the facility from all vessels operating outside the normal shipping channels and fairways that are not providing services to or working with the facility. Placing a safety zone around the facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, collisions, security breaches, oil spills, releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)
[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71940-71942]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-29449]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 147

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0318]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Turritella FPSO, Walker Ridge 551, Outer Continental 
Shelf on the Gulf of Mexico

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone around the 
Turritella FPSO system, Walker Ridge 551 on the Outer Continental Shelf 
(OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the safety zone is to 
protect the facility from all vessels operating outside the normal 
shipping channels and fairways that are not providing services to or 
working with the facility. Placing a safety zone around the facility 
will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, collisions, security 
breaches, oil spills, releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the 
safety of life, property, and the environment.

DATES: This rule is effective December 18, 2015.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2015-0318 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Mr. Rusty Wright, U.S. Coast Guard, District Eight 
Waterways Management Branch; telephone 504-671-2138, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
FPSO Floating Production Storage Offloading Vessel
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
OCS Outer Continental Shelf
USCG United States Coast Guard

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    Shell Exploration & Production Company requested that the Coast 
Guard establish a safety zone around the Turritella FPSO, which is a 
ship-shaped offshore production facility that stores crude oil in tanks 
located in its hull. It will attach to a moored turret buoy and

[[Page 71941]]

move in a 360 degree arc around the position 26[deg]25'38.74'' N., 
90[deg]48'45.34'' W. The purpose of the safety zone is to protect the 
facility from all vessels operating outside the normal shipping 
channels and fairways that are not providing services to or working 
with the facility. Therefore, on July 28, 2015 we published a NPRM with 
a request for comments entitled, ``Safety Zones: Turritella FPSO 
system, Walker Ridge 551, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf of 
Mexico'' in the Federal Register (80 FR 44910). We received no comments 
on the NPRM.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under the authority in 14 
U.S.C. 85, 43 U.S.C. 1333, Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1, and 33 CFR part 147, which collectively permit the 
establishment of safety zones for facilities located on the OCS for the 
purpose of protecting life, property and the marine environment.
    The Coast Guard has determined that a safety zone is necessary to 
protect the facility from all vessels operating outside the normal 
shipping channels and fairways that are not providing services to or 
working with the facility. The purpose of the rule is to significantly 
reduce the threat of allisions, oil spills, and releases of natural 
gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the 
environment.
    For the purpose of safety zones established under 33 CFR part 147, 
the deepwater area is considered to be waters of 304.8 meters (1,000 
feet) or greater depth extending to the limits of the Exclusive 
Economic Zone (EEZ) contiguous to the territorial sea of the United 
States and extending to a distance up to 200 nautical miles from the 
baseline from which the breadth of the sea is measured. Navigation in 
the vicinity of the safety zone consists of large commercial shipping 
vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, tugs with tows and the 
occasional recreational vessel. The deepwater area also includes an 
extensive system of fairways.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes and the Final Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM published July 
28, 2015. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from 
the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone extending 500 meters (1640.4 
feet) around the stern of the FPSO when it is moored to the turret 
buoy. If the FPSO detaches from the turret buoy, the safety zone of 500 
meters (1640.4) will be measured from the center point of the turret 
buoy. No vessel, except those attending the facility, or those less 
than 100 feet in length and not engaged in towing will be permitted to 
enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from Commander, 
Eighth Coast Guard District or a designated representative.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on these statutes and executive orders, and we discuss 
First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    E.O.s 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. 
E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. This rule has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under E.O. 12866. Accordingly, it has not been 
reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
    This rule is not a significant regulatory action due to the 
location of the Turritella FPSO--on the Outer Continental Shelf--and 
its distance from both land and safety fairways. Vessel traffic can 
pass safely around the safety zone using alternate routes. Exceptions 
to this rule include vessels measuring less than 100 feet in length 
overall and not engaged in towing. Deviation to transit through the 
safety zone may be requested. Such requests will be considered on a 
case-by-case basis and may be authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast 
Guard District or a designated representative.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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 received 0 comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 
U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule would 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 
contact 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 Government

    A rule has implications for federalism under E.O. 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 E.O. 13132.
    Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under E.O. 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

[[Page 71942]]

distribution of power and responsibilities between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes. If you believe this rule has implications 
for federalism or Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

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 
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 made a 
preliminary determination 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 around an OCS Facility to protect life, property and 
the marine environment. This rule is categorically excluded from 
further review under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant 
Instruction. The environmental analysis checklist supporting this 
determination and Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in 
the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

G. 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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 147

    Continental shelf, Marine safety, Navigation (water).

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR part 147 as follows:

PART 147--SAFETY ZONES

0
1. The authority citation for part 147 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 14 U.S.C. 85; 43 U.S.C. 1333; and Department of 
Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  147.863 to read as follows:


Sec.  147.863  Turritella FPSO System Safety Zone.

    (a) Description. The Turritella, a Floating Production, Storage and 
Offloading (FPSO) system is to be installed in the deepwater area of 
the Gulf of Mexico at Walker Ridge 551. The FPSO can swing in a 360 
degree arc around the center point of the turret buoy's swing circle at 
26[deg]25'38.74'' N., 90[deg]48'45.34'' W., and the area within 500 
meters (1640.4 feet) around the stern of the FPSO when it is moored to 
the turret buoy is a safety zone. If the FPSO detaches from the turret 
buoy, the area within 500 meters (1640.4 feet) around the center point 
at 26[deg]25'38.74'' N., 90[deg]48'45.34'' W. is a safety zone.
    (b) Regulation. No vessel may enter or remain in this safety zone 
except the following:
    (1) An attending vessel;
    (2) A vessel under 100 feet in length overall not engaged in 
towing; or
    (3) A vessel authorized by the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard 
District.

    Dated: October 27, 2015.
David R. Callahan,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-29449 Filed 11-17-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P



                                           71940        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           to the same ERISA standards and                            Finally, it is worth noting that even if           DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
                                           remedies that apply to any company                      the state laws implementing these                     SECURITY
                                           offering the same services to employers.                approaches ‘‘relate to’’ ERISA plans in
                                           Similarly, a prototype plan or multiple                 some sense of that term, it is only                   Coast Guard
                                           employer plan program that a state                      because they create or authorize
                                           offers to employers would have to                       arrangements that are fully governed by               33 CFR Part 147
                                           comply with the same ERISA                              ERISA’s requirements. By embracing                    [Docket No. USCG–2015–0318]
                                           requirements and would have to be                       ERISA in this way, the state would not
                                           subject to the same remedies as any                     on that basis be running afoul of section             RIN 1625–AA00
                                           private party offering such products and                514(a) because ERISA fully applies to
                                           services.17                                                                                                   Safety Zone; Turritella FPSO, Walker
                                                                                                   the arrangement and there is nothing in               Ridge 551, Outer Continental Shelf on
                                              Even if the state laws enacted to                    the state law for ERISA to ‘‘supersede.’’             the Gulf of Mexico
                                           establish programs of the sort described                In this regard, section 514(a) of ERISA,
                                           above ‘‘reference’’ employee benefit                    in relevant part, provides that Title I of            AGENCY:    Coast Guard, DHS.
                                           plans in a literal sense, they should not               ERISA ‘‘shall supersede any and all                   ACTION:   Final rule.
                                           be seen as laws that ‘‘relate to’’ ERISA                state laws insofar as they may now or
                                           plans in the sense ERISA section 514(a)                 hereafter relate to any employee benefit              SUMMARY:    The Coast Guard is
                                           uses that statutory term because they are               plan . . . .’’ To the extent that the state           establishing a safety zone around the
                                           completely voluntary from the                           makes plan design decisions in                        Turritella FPSO system, Walker Ridge
                                           employer’s perspective, the state                       fashioning its prototype plan or state                551 on the Outer Continental Shelf
                                           program would be entirely subject to                    sponsored plan, or otherwise adopts                   (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The
                                           ERISA, and state law would not impose                   rules necessary to run the plan, those                purpose of the safety zone is to protect
                                           any outside regulatory requirements                     actions would be the same as any other                the facility from all vessels operating
                                           beyond ERISA. They do not require                                                                             outside the normal shipping channels
                                                                                                   prototype plan provider or employer
                                           employers to establish ERISA-covered                                                                          and fairways that are not providing
                                                                                                   sponsor of any ERISA-covered plan, and
                                           plans, forbid any type of plan or restrict                                                                    services to or working with the facility.
                                                                                                   the arrangement would be fully and
                                           employers’ choices with respect to                                                                            Placing a safety zone around the facility
                                                                                                   equally subject to ERISA.                             will significantly reduce the threat of
                                           benefit structures or their
                                           administration. These laws would                           This conclusion is supported by the                allisions, collisions, security breaches,
                                           merely offer a program that employers                   Department’s position regarding state                 oil spills, releases of natural gas, and
                                           could accept or reject. See Dillingham,                 governmental participation in ERISA                   thereby protect the safety of life,
                                           519 U.S. at 325–28.                                     plans in another context. Pursuant to                 property, and the environment.
                                                                                                   section 4(b)(1) of ERISA, the provisions              DATES: This rule is effective December
                                              In addition, none of the state
                                                                                                   of Title I of ERISA do not apply to a                 18, 2015.
                                           approaches described above resemble
                                           the state laws that the Court held                      plan that a state government establishes              ADDRESSES: To view documents
                                           preempted in its pre-Travelers                          for its own employees, which ERISA                    mentioned in this preamble as being
                                           ‘‘reference to’’ cases. Those laws                      section 3(32) defines as a ‘‘governmental             available in the docket, go to http://
                                           targeted ERISA plans as a class with                    plan.’’ The Department has long held                  www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2015–
                                           affirmative requirements or special                     the view, however, that if a plan                     0318 in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click
                                           exemptions. See, e.g., District of                      covering governmental employees fails                 ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket
                                           Columbia v. Greater Wash. Bd. of Trade,                 to qualify as a governmental plan, it                 Folder on the line associated with this
                                           506 U.S. 125, 128, 129–133 (1992)                       would still be subject to Title I of                  rulemaking.
                                           (workers’ compensation law that                         ERISA.18 In these circumstances, the                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
                                           required employee benefits ‘‘set by                     failure to qualify as a governmental plan             you have questions on this rule, call or
                                           reference to [ERISA] plans’’) (citation                 does not prohibit a governmental                      email Mr. Rusty Wright, U.S. Coast
                                           omitted); Ingersoll-Rand Co. v.                         employer from providing benefits                      Guard, District Eight Waterways
                                           McClendon, 498 U.S. 133, 135–136, 140                   through, and making contributions to,                 Management Branch; telephone 504–
                                           (1990) (common law claim for wrongful                   an ERISA-covered employee benefit                     671–2138, rusty.h.wright@uscg.mil.
                                           discharge to prevent attainment of                      plan.19 Thus, the effect of ERISA is not              SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                           ERISA benefits); Mackey v. Lanier                       to prohibit the state from offering
                                           Collection Agency & Serv., Inc., 486 U.S.               benefits, but rather to make those                    I. Table of Abbreviations
                                           825, 828 & n.2, 829–830 (1988)                          benefits subject to ERISA. Here too,                  DHS Department of Homeland Security
                                           (exemption from garnishment statute for                 ERISA does not supersede state law to                 FR Federal Register
                                           ERISA plans). In the case of the state                  the extent it merely creates an                       FPSO Floating Production Storage
                                           actions outlined above, any restriction                 arrangement that is fully governed by                   Offloading Vessel
                                           on private economic activity arises, not                ERISA.                                                NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
                                           from state regulatory actions, but from                                                                       OCS Outer Continental Shelf
                                           the application of ERISA requirements                   Phyllis C. Borzi,                                     USCG United States Coast Guard
                                           to the plans, service providers, and                    Assistant Secretary, Employee Benefits                II. Background Information and
                                           investment products, that the state, as                 Security Administration, U.S. Department of           Regulatory History
                                           any other private sector participant in                 Labor.
                                                                                                                                                           Shell Exploration & Production
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                                           the market, selects in deciding what it                 [FR Doc. 2015–29427 Filed 11–16–15; 4:15 pm]
                                                                                                                                                         Company requested that the Coast
                                           is willing to offer.                                    BILLING CODE 4510–29–P
                                                                                                                                                         Guard establish a safety zone around the
                                                                                                     18 See,
                                                                                                                                                         Turritella FPSO, which is a ship-shaped
                                             17 State laws relating to sovereign immunity for               e.g., Advisory Opinion 2004–04A.
                                           state governments and their employees would have          19 SeeInformation Letter to Michael T. Scaraggi
                                                                                                                                                         offshore production facility that stores
                                           to be evaluated carefully to ensure they do not         and James M. Steinberg from John J. Canary (April     crude oil in tanks located in its hull. It
                                           conflict with ERISA’s remedial provisions.              12, 2004).                                            will attach to a moored turret buoy and


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                                                        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations                                         71941

                                           move in a 360 degree arc around the                     measured from the center point of the                 economic impact on a substantial
                                           position 26°25′38.74″ N., 90°48′45.34″                  turret buoy. No vessel, except those                  number of small entities.
                                           W. The purpose of the safety zone is to                 attending the facility, or those less than               While some owners or operators of
                                           protect the facility from all vessels                   100 feet in length and not engaged in                 vessels intending to transit the safety
                                           operating outside the normal shipping                   towing will be permitted to enter the                 zone may be small entities, for the
                                           channels and fairways that are not                      safety zone without obtaining                         reasons stated in section V.A above, this
                                           providing services to or working with                   permission from Commander, Eighth                     rule will not have a significant
                                           the facility. Therefore, on July 28, 2015               Coast Guard District or a designated                  economic impact on any vessel owner
                                           we published a NPRM with a request for                  representative.                                       or operator.
                                           comments entitled, ‘‘Safety Zones:                                                                               Under section 213(a) of the Small
                                           Turritella FPSO system, Walker Ridge                    V. Regulatory Analyses                                Business Regulatory Enforcement
                                           551, Outer Continental Shelf on the Gulf                  We developed this rule after                        Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104–121),
                                           of Mexico’’ in the Federal Register (80                 considering numerous statutes and                     we want to assist small entities in
                                           FR 44910). We received no comments                      executive orders (E.O.s) related to                   understanding this rule. If the rule
                                           on the NPRM.                                            rulemaking. Below we summarize our                    would affect your small business,
                                                                                                   analyses based on these statutes and                  organization, or governmental
                                           III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule                                                                        jurisdiction and you have questions
                                                                                                   executive orders, and we discuss First
                                              The Coast Guard is issuing this rule                 Amendment rights of protestors.                       concerning its provisions or options for
                                           under the authority in 14 U.S.C. 85, 43                                                                       compliance, please contact the person
                                           U.S.C. 1333, Department of Homeland                     A. Regulatory Planning and Review                     listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
                                           Security Delegation No. 0170.1, and 33                     E.O.s 12866 and 13563 direct agencies              CONTACT section.
                                           CFR part 147, which collectively permit                 to assess the costs and benefits of                      Small businesses may send comments
                                           the establishment of safety zones for                   available regulatory alternatives and, if             on the actions of Federal employees
                                           facilities located on the OCS for the                   regulation is necessary, to select                    who enforce, or otherwise determine
                                           purpose of protecting life, property and                regulatory approaches that maximize                   compliance with, Federal regulations to
                                           the marine environment.                                 net benefits. E.O. 13563 emphasizes the               the Small Business and Agriculture
                                              The Coast Guard has determined that                                                                        Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman
                                                                                                   importance of quantifying both costs
                                           a safety zone is necessary to protect the                                                                     and the Regional Small Business
                                                                                                   and benefits, of reducing costs, of
                                           facility from all vessels operating                                                                           Regulatory Fairness Boards. The
                                                                                                   harmonizing rules, and of promoting
                                           outside the normal shipping channels                                                                          Ombudsman evaluates these actions
                                                                                                   flexibility. This rule has not been
                                           and fairways that are not providing                                                                           annually and rates each agency’s
                                                                                                   designated a ‘‘significant regulatory
                                           services to or working with the facility.                                                                     responsiveness to small business. If you
                                                                                                   action,’’ under E.O. 12866. Accordingly,
                                           The purpose of the rule is to                                                                                 wish to comment on actions by
                                                                                                   it has not been reviewed by the Office
                                           significantly reduce the threat of                                                                            employees of the Coast Guard, call 1–
                                                                                                   of Management and Budget.
                                           allisions, oil spills, and releases of                                                                        888–REG–FAIR (1–888–734–3247). The
                                           natural gas, and thereby protect the                       This rule is not a significant
                                                                                                                                                         Coast Guard will not retaliate against
                                           safety of life, property, and the                       regulatory action due to the location of
                                                                                                                                                         small entities that question or complain
                                           environment.                                            the Turritella FPSO—on the Outer
                                                                                                                                                         about this rule or any policy or action
                                              For the purpose of safety zones                      Continental Shelf—and its distance
                                                                                                                                                         of the Coast Guard.
                                           established under 33 CFR part 147, the                  from both land and safety fairways.
                                           deepwater area is considered to be                      Vessel traffic can pass safely around the             C. Collection of Information
                                           waters of 304.8 meters (1,000 feet) or                  safety zone using alternate routes.                     This rule will not call for a new
                                           greater depth extending to the limits of                Exceptions to this rule include vessels               collection of information under the
                                           the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)                       measuring less than 100 feet in length                Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44
                                           contiguous to the territorial sea of the                overall and not engaged in towing.                    U.S.C. 3501–3520).
                                           United States and extending to a                        Deviation to transit through the safety
                                                                                                   zone may be requested. Such requests                  D. Federalism and Indian Tribal
                                           distance up to 200 nautical miles from
                                                                                                   will be considered on a case-by-case                  Government
                                           the baseline from which the breadth of
                                           the sea is measured. Navigation in the                  basis and may be authorized by the                       A rule has implications for federalism
                                           vicinity of the safety zone consists of                 Commander, Eighth Coast Guard                         under E.O. 13132, Federalism, if it has
                                           large commercial shipping vessels,                      District or a designated representative.              a substantial direct effect on the States,
                                           fishing vessels, cruise ships, tugs with                B. Impact on Small Entities                           on the relationship between the national
                                           tows and the occasional recreational                                                                          government and the States, or on the
                                           vessel. The deepwater area also includes                   The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980             distribution of power and
                                           an extensive system of fairways.                        (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601–612, as amended,                  responsibilities among the various
                                                                                                   requires federal agencies to consider the             levels of government. We have analyzed
                                           IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes                     potential impact of regulations on small              this rule under that Order and have
                                           and the Final Rule                                      entities during rulemaking. The term                  determined that it is consistent with the
                                             As noted above, we received no                        ‘‘small entities’’ comprises small                    fundamental federalism principles and
                                           comments on our NPRM published July                     businesses, not-for-profit organizations              preemption requirements described in
                                           28, 2015. There are no changes in the                   that are independently owned and                      E.O. 13132.
                                           regulatory text of this rule from the                   operated and are not dominant in their                   Also, this rule does not have tribal
                                           proposed rule in the NPRM.                              fields, and governmental jurisdictions                implications under E.O. 13175,
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                                             This rule establishes a safety zone                   with populations of less than 50,000.                 Consultation and Coordination with
                                           extending 500 meters (1640.4 feet)                      The Coast Guard received 0 comments                   Indian Tribal Governments, because it
                                           around the stern of the FPSO when it is                 from the Small Business Administration                does not have a substantial direct effect
                                           moored to the turret buoy. If the FPSO                  on this rulemaking. The Coast Guard                   on one or more Indian tribes, on the
                                           detaches from the turret buoy, the safety               certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this             relationship between the Federal
                                           zone of 500 meters (1640.4) will be                     rule would not have a significant                     Government and Indian tribes, or on the


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                                           71942        Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 222 / Wednesday, November 18, 2015 / Rules and Regulations

                                           distribution of power and                               PART 147—SAFETY ZONES                                 shipping channels and fairways that are
                                           responsibilities between the Federal                                                                          not providing services to or working
                                           Government and Indian tribes. If you                    ■ 1. The authority citation for part 147              with the facility. Placing a safety zone
                                           believe this rule has implications for                  continues to read as follows:                         around the facility will significantly
                                           federalism or Indian tribes, please                       Authority: 14 U.S.C. 85; 43 U.S.C. 1333;            reduce the threat of allisions, collisions,
                                           contact the person listed in the FOR                    and Department of Homeland Security                   security breaches, oil spills, releases of
                                           FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section                     Delegation No. 0170.1.                                natural gas, and thereby protect the
                                           above.                                                  ■   2. Add § 147.863 to read as follows:              safety of life, property, and the
                                                                                                                                                         environment.
                                           E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                         § 147.863    Turritella FPSO System Safety            DATES: This rule is effective December
                                             The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act                      Zone.
                                                                                                                                                         18, 2015.
                                           of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531–1538) requires                     (a) Description. The Turritella, a                  ADDRESSES: To view documents
                                           Federal agencies to assess the effects of               Floating Production, Storage and                      mentioned in this preamble as being
                                           their discretionary regulatory actions. In              Offloading (FPSO) system is to be                     available in the docket, go to http://
                                           particular, the Act addresses actions                   installed in the deepwater area of the                www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2015–
                                           that may result in the expenditure by a                 Gulf of Mexico at Walker Ridge 551. The               0320 in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click
                                           State, local, or tribal government, in the              FPSO can swing in a 360 degree arc                    ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket
                                           aggregate, or by the private sector of                  around the center point of the turret                 Folder on the line associated with this
                                           $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or                buoy’s swing circle at 26°25′38.74″ N.,               rulemaking.
                                           more in any one year. Though this rule                  90°48′45.34″ W., and the area within                  FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
                                           will not result in such an expenditure,                 500 meters (1640.4 feet) around the                   you have questions on this rule, call or
                                           we do discuss the effects of this rule                  stern of the FPSO when it is moored to                email Mr. Rusty Wright, U.S. Coast
                                           elsewhere in this preamble.                             the turret buoy is a safety zone. If the              Guard, District Eight Waterways
                                                                                                   FPSO detaches from the turret buoy, the               Management Branch; telephone 504–
                                           F. Environment
                                                                                                   area within 500 meters (1640.4 feet)                  671–2138, rusty.h.wright@uscg.mil.
                                              We have analyzed this rule under                     around the center point at 26°25′38.74″
                                                                                                                                                         SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                                           Department of Homeland Security                         N., 90°48′45.34″ W. is a safety zone.
                                           Management Directive 023–01 and                           (b) Regulation. No vessel may enter or              I. Table of Abbreviations
                                           Commandant Instruction M16475.lD,                       remain in this safety zone except the                 DHS Department of Homeland Security
                                           which guide the Coast Guard in                          following:                                            FR Federal Register
                                           complying with the National                               (1) An attending vessel;                            NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
                                           Environmental Policy Act of 1969                          (2) A vessel under 100 feet in length               OCS Outer Continental Shelf
                                           (NEPA)(42 U.S.C. 4321–4370f), and                       overall not engaged in towing; or                     SPAR A large diameter, vertical cylinder
                                           have made a preliminary determination                     (3) A vessel authorized by the                         supporting a deck
                                           that this action is one of a category of                Commander, Eighth Coast Guard                         USCG United States Coast Guard
                                           actions that do not individually or                     District.                                             II. Background Information and
                                           cumulatively have a significant effect on                 Dated: October 27, 2015.                            Regulatory History
                                           the human environment. This rule                        David R. Callahan,                                       Bennu Oil and Gas requested that the
                                           involves the establishment of a safety                  Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,            Coast Guard establish a safety zone
                                           zone around an OCS Facility to protect                  Eighth Coast Guard District.                          extending 500 meters (1640.4 feet) from
                                           life, property and the marine                           [FR Doc. 2015–29449 Filed 11–17–15; 8:45 am]          each point on the Titan SPAR facility
                                           environment. This rule is categorically                                                                       structure’s outermost edge located in the
                                                                                                   BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
                                           excluded from further review under                                                                            deepwater area of the Gulf of Mexico on
                                           paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2–1 of the                                                                          the OCS. The purpose of the safety zone
                                           Commandant Instruction. The                             DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND                                is to protect the facility from all vessels
                                           environmental analysis checklist                        SECURITY                                              operating outside the normal shipping
                                           supporting this determination and                                                                             channels and fairways that are not
                                           Categorical Exclusion Determination are                 Coast Guard                                           providing services to or working with
                                           available in the docket where indicated                                                                       the facility. Therefore, on July 24, 2015
                                           under ADDRESSES.                                        33 CFR Part 147                                       we published a NPRM with a request for
                                           G. Protest Activities                                   [Docket No. USCG–2015–0320]                           comments entitled, ‘‘Safety Zones: Titan
                                                                                                                                                         SPAR, Mississippi Canyon 941, Outer
                                             The Coast Guard respects the First                    RIN 1625–AA00
                                                                                                                                                         Continental Shelf on the Gulf of
                                           Amendment rights of protesters.
                                                                                                   Safety Zone; Titan SPAR, Mississippi                  Mexico’’ in the Federal Register (80 FR
                                           Protesters are asked to contact the
                                                                                                   Canyon 941, Outer Continental Shelf                   43998). We received no comments on
                                           person listed in the FOR FURTHER
                                                                                                   on the Gulf of Mexico                                 the NPRM.
                                           INFORMATION CONTACT section to
                                           coordinate protest activities so that your                                                                    III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
                                                                                                   AGENCY:  Coast Guard, DHS.
                                           message can be received without                                                                                  The Coast Guard is issuing this rule
                                                                                                   ACTION: Final rule.
                                           jeopardizing the safety or security of                                                                        under authority in 14 U.S.C. 85, 43
                                           people, places or vessels.                              SUMMARY:   The Coast Guard is                         U.S.C. 1333, Department of Homeland
                                                                                                   establishing a safety zone around the                 Security Delegation No. 0170.1, and
wgreen on DSK2VPTVN1PROD with RULES




                                           List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 147
                                                                                                   Titan SPAR system, located in                         Title 33, CFR part 147, which
                                             Continental shelf, Marine safety,                     Mississippi Canyon Block 941 on the                   collectively permit the establishment of
                                           Navigation (water).                                     Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the                  safety zones for facilities located on the
                                             For the reasons discussed in the                      Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of the                    OCS for the purpose of protecting life,
                                           preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33                     safety zone is to protect the facility from           property and the marine environment.
                                           CFR part 147 as follows:                                all vessels operating outside the normal              The Coast Guard has determined that a


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Document Created: 2018-03-01 11:20:45
Document Modified: 2018-03-01 11:20:45
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionRules and Regulations
ActionFinal rule.
DatesThis rule is effective December 18, 2015.
ContactIf you have questions on this rule, call or email Mr. Rusty Wright, U.S. Coast Guard, District Eight Waterways Management Branch; telephone 504-671-2138, [email protected]
FR Citation80 FR 71940 
RIN Number1625-AA00
CFR AssociatedContinental Shelf; Marine Safety and Navigation (water)

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