82 FR 35095 - Safety Zone; Commencement Bay, Tacoma, WA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 144 (July 28, 2017)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters on the south west side of Commencement Bay. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by vessels navigating at high speed with skiers in tow. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Puget Sound.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 144 (Friday, July 28, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35095-35096]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-15958]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0733]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Commencement Bay, Tacoma, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain navigable waters on the south west side of Commencement Bay. 
The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by vessels navigating at 
high speed with skiers in tow. Entry of vessels or persons into this 
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Puget Sound.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on July 28, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0733 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 Petty Officer Zachary Spence, Sector Puget Sound, 
Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone (206) 217-6051, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
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 publishing an NPRM would be 
impracticable as delayed promulgation may result in injury or damage to 
persons and vessels in the vicinity of Commencement Bay, WA prior to 
the conclusion of a notice and comment period.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable because the safety hazards associated 
with vessels operating at high rates of speed with skiers in tow will 
occur on July 28, 2017, and this rule must be effective to protect 
against those hazards.

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 Puget Sound (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with vessels operating at high speed with 
skiers in tow starting July 28, 2017 will be a safety concern for 
anyone within the practice area. This rule is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the safety zone while the practice runs are ongoing.
    On July 21, 2017 Sector Puget Sound received notice of the request 
for a safety zone from the event organizer.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. on 
July 28, 2017. The safety zone will cover certain navigable waters 
within Commencement Bay where the practice runs are taking place. The 
duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment in these navigable waters while the practice runs 
are being conducted. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the 
safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative.

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 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the limited nature 
of the size, location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. 
Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit around this safety zone 
which would impact a small area of Commencement Bay for less than 5 
hours during the afternoon. Moreover the Coast Guard would issue a 
Broadcast Notice to Mariner via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the 
zone, and the rule would allow vessels to seek permission to enter the 
zone.

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.

[[Page 35096]]

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 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 less than 5 hours that will 
prohibit entry within certain waters of Commencement Bay. It is 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of 
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction.

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--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.T13-0733 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T13-0733   Safety Zone; Commencement Bay, Tacoma, WA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
Commencement Bay encompassed within an imaginary line connecting the 
following coordinates: starting at point 1 in position 47[deg]18'9.6'' 
N., 122[deg]30'23.6'' W.; thence northeast to Point 2 in position 
47[deg]18'15.2'' N., 122[deg]30'14.4'' W.; thence east to Point 3 in 
position 47[deg]18'32'' N., 122[deg]28'41.3'' W.; thence south to Point 
4 in position 47[deg]17'32'' N., 122[deg]28'22.4'' W.; thence southwest 
to Point 5 in position 47[deg]17'5.5'' N., 122[deg]29'6.4'' W.; thence 
northwest back to origin.
    (b) Definitions. For the purpose of this section the following 
definitions apply:
    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 Puget Sound (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 by contacting the Joint Harbor Operations Center at 206-
217-6001, or the on-scene patrol craft, if any via VHF-FM channel 16. 
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) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 9 a.m. 
until 2 p.m. on July 28, 2017.

    Dated: July 24, 2017.
Linda A. Sturgis,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Puget Sound.
[FR Doc. 2017-15958 Filed 7-27-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P