81 FR 63418 - Safety Zone; Navy UNDET, Apra Outer Harbor, GU

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 179 (September 15, 2016)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 700-yard radius on the surface and 1400-yard radius underwater of the Navy underwater detonation operations in the waters of Apra Outer Harbor, Guam. The Coast Guard believes this safety zone regulation is necessary to protect all persons and vessel that would otherwise transit or be within the affected areas from possible safety hazards associated with underwater detonation operations. Entry of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Guam.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 179 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63418-63420]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22228]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0791]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Navy UNDET, Apra Outer Harbor, GU

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters within a 700-yard radius on the surface and 1400-yard 
radius underwater of the Navy underwater detonation operations in the 
waters of Apra Outer Harbor, Guam. The Coast Guard believes this safety 
zone regulation is necessary to protect all persons and vessel that 
would otherwise transit or be within the affected areas from possible 
safety hazards associated with underwater detonation operations. Entry 
of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Guam.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from September 15, 
2016 until September 16, 2016. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice will be used from September 13, 2016, until September 15, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0791 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 Chief Kristina Gauthier, Sector Guam, U.S. Coast Guard; 
telephone (671) 355-4866, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background 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 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 (NPRM) 
with respect to this rule because doing so would be impracticable and 
contrary to public interest. The final details for this event were not 
known to the Coast Guard until there was insufficient time remaining 
before the operation to publish an NPRM. Thus, delaying the effective 
dates of this rule to wait for a comment period to run would be 
impracticable because it would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to 
protect vessels and waterway users from the hazards associated with 
this operation.
    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. Due to the late notice 
and inherent danger in underwater detonation exercises, delaying the 
effective period of this safety zone would be contrary to public 
interest.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The Captain of the Port Guam has determined that potential 
hazards associated with the U.S. Navy training exercise, which include 
detonation of underwater explosives on September 13-16, 2016, will be a 
safety concern for anyone within a 700-yard radius on the surface and 
1400-yard radius underwater of the operation. This rule is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable 
waters within the safety zone during the exercise. Mariners and divers 
approaching too close to such exercises could potentially expose 
themselves to flying debris or other hazardous conditions.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within 700-yards on 
the surface and 1400-yards underwater of vessels and machinery being 
used by the Navy. The duration of the zone is intended to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable 
waters during the underwater detonation exercise. No vessel or person 
will be permitted to enter the safety zones without obtaining 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive order 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 regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-year of the safety zone. Vessel traffic 
will be able to safely transit around this safety zone which will 
impact a small designated area of waters in Apra Outer Harbor for 8 
hours. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone and the rule 
allows vessels to seek permission to enter the zone.

[[Page 63419]]

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 lasting eight hours that will prohibit 
entry within 700-yards on the surface and 1400-yards underwater of 
vessels and machinery being used by Navy personnel. 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 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--SAFETY ZONE; NAVY UNDET, APRA OUTER HARBOR, GU

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.T14-0791 to read as follows:


Sec.  165. T14-0791  Safety Zone; Navy UNDET, Apra Outer Harbor, GU.

    (a) Location. The following areas, within the Guam Captain of the 
Port (COTP) Zone (See 33 CFR 3.70-15), from the surface of the water to 
the ocean floor, are safety zones:
    Apra Outer Harbor, Guam September 13-16, 2016. All surface waters 
bounded by a circle with a 700-yard radius and all underwater areas 
bounded by a circle with a 1,400 yard radius centered at 13 degrees 27 
minutes 42 seconds North Latitude and 144 degrees 38 minutes 30 seconds 
East Longitude, (NAD 1983).
    (b) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
through 4 p.m. daily from September 13, 2016 through September 16, 
2016.
    (c) Regulations. The general regulations governing safety zones 
contained in 33 CFR 165.23 apply. No vessels may enter or transit 
safety zones and no persons in the water may enter or transit safety 
zone unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative 
thereof.
    (d) Enforcement. Any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty 
officer, and any other COTP representative permitted by law, may 
enforce these temporary safety zones.
    (e) Waiver. The COTP may waive any of the requirements of this 
section for any person, vessel, or class of vessel upon finding that 
application of the

[[Page 63420]]

safety zone is unnecessary or impractical for the purpose of maritime 
security.
    (f) Penalties. Vessels or persons violating this rule are subject 
to the penalties set forth in 33 U.S.C. 1232 and 50 U.S.C. 192.

    Dated: August 17, 2016.
James B. Pruett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Guam.
[FR Doc. 2016-22228 Filed 9-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P