81 FR 12588 - Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River 321.4 to 321.6; Quincy, IL

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 47 (March 10, 2016)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all waters of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) from mile 321.4 to mile 321.6. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, property, and infrastructure from potential damage and safety hazards associated with work being completed on new power lines across the river. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP). Deviation from the safety zone may be requested and will be considered on a case-by-case basis as specifically authorized by the COTP or a designated representative.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 47 (Thursday, March 10, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12588-12590]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-05388]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0155]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River 321.4 to 321.6; Quincy, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all waters of the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) from mile 321.4 to mile 
321.6. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, property, and 
infrastructure from potential damage and safety hazards associated with 
work being completed on new power lines across the river. Entry of 
vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP). Deviation from the safety 
zone may be requested and will be considered on a case-by-case basis as 
specifically authorized by the COTP or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily 
beginning on March 21, 2016 through April 1, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0155 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email LCDR Sean Peterson, Chief of Prevention, U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone 314-269-2332, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

BNM Broadcast Notice to Mariners
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
UMR Upper Mississippi River
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary 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 finds good cause 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 (NPRM) 
with respect to this rule because Ameren notified the Coast Guard on 
February 17, 2016, that this work will require helicopters to stretch 
the power lines across the river. Due to the risks associated with this 
work crossing the navigable channel, a closure is needed. It would be 
impracticable to publish a NPRM because the safety zone must be 
established beginning March 21, 2016. Broadcast Notices to Mariners 
(BNM) and information sharing with waterway users will update mariners 
of the safety zone and enforcement times during the operations.
    We are issuing this rule, and under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast 
Guard finds that good cause exists for making it effective less than 30 
days after publication in the Federal Register. Providing 30 days 
notice would be impracticable because immediate action is needed to 
protect vessels from the hazards associated with the rope crossing the 
navigable channel.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The COTP UMR has determined that potential hazards associated 
with using helicopters to stretch power lines across the navigational 
channel presents safety concerns for anyone within this limited area of 
the UMR. This rule provides additional safety measures, to protect 
persons and vessels, in the form of a safety zone from mile 321.4 to 
mile 321.6 on the UMR to protect those in the area and for the Coast 
Guard to maintain navigational safety.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone prohibiting 
access to the UMR from mile 321.4 to mile 321.6, extending the entire 
width of the river from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily beginning on 
March 21, 2016 and scheduled to end on April 1, 2016, or until 
conditions allow for safe navigation, whichever occurs earlier. 
Deviation from the safety zone may be requested and will be considered 
on a case-by-case basis as specifically authorized by the COTP or a 
designated representative. The COTP may be contacted by telephone at 
314-269-2332 or can be reached by VHF-FM channel 16.

V. 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, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 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. Executive Order 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 Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget. This rule establishes a temporary safety zone limiting access 
to the UMR from mile 321.4 to mile 321.6. Notifications of enforcement 
times will be communicated to the marine community via BNM. The impacts 
on navigation will be limited to ensure the safety of mariners and 
vessels during the period that the helicopters will be pulling the 
power lines across the navigational channel. Deviation requests

[[Page 12589]]

will be reviewed and considered on a case-by-case basis.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 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 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.
    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 Governments

    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 have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    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. 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 (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 a safety zone on the UMR from mile 321.4 to mile 321.6. 
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.

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 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:  33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0155 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0155  Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River 321.4 to 
321.6; Quincy, IL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Upper Mississippi River mile 321.4 to 321.6, extending the entire 
width of the river.
    (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 Upper Mississippi River (COTP) in the enforcement 
of the safety zone.
    (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 via VHF-FM channel 16, or through Coast Guard Sector 
Upper Mississippi River at 314-269-2332. 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) Effective and enforcement period. This rule is effective and 
will be enforced from 7:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. daily beginning on 
March 21, 2016 through April 1, 2016.


[[Page 12590]]


    Dated: March 3, 2016.
M.L. Malloy,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Upper Mississippi River.
[FR Doc. 2016-05388 Filed 3-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P