83 FR 21886 - Safety Zone; Cocos Lagoon, Merizo, GU

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 92 (May 11, 2018)

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for navigable waters within Cocos Lagoon. This safety zone will encompass the designated swim course for the Cocos Crossing swim event in the waters of Cocos Lagoon, Merizo, Guam. This safety zone is necessary to protect all persons and vessels participating in this marine event from potential safety hazards associated with vessel traffic in the area. Race participants, chase boats, and organizers of the event will be exempt from the safety zone. Entry of persons or vessels into the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Guam (COTP).

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 92 (Friday, May 11, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 21886-21887]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-10101]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0290]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Cocos Lagoon, Merizo, GU

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for navigable 
waters within Cocos Lagoon. This safety zone will encompass the 
designated swim course for the Cocos Crossing swim event in the waters 
of Cocos Lagoon, Merizo, Guam. This safety zone is necessary to protect 
all persons and vessels participating in this marine event from 
potential safety hazards associated with vessel traffic in the area. 
Race participants, chase boats, and organizers of the event will be 
exempt from the safety zone. Entry of persons or vessels into the 
safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Guam (COTP).

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0290 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 Petty Officer Todd Wheeler, Sector Guam, U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone (671) 355-4866, 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 doing so would be impracticable and 
contrary to public interest. The specific date and time for the event 
was not set with sufficient time to publish and request public comment 
on the establishment of a safety zone. Thus, delaying the effective 
date of this rule to allow for a comment period to run would be 
impracticable because it would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to 
protect participants from hazards from vessel traffic.
    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. Due to the date of notification 
for the event and potential danger to the swim participants, 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 COTP has determined that potential hazards associated with 
vessel traffic in the area of the Cocos Crossing swim event on May 27, 
2018 will be a safety concern for participants and that all vessels are 
to keep a 100-yard radius from event participants and support vessels. 
The purpose of this rule is to ensure the safety of the participants 
and the navigable waters in the safety zone before, during, and after 
the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone for Cocos Crossing swim event 
in the waters of Cocos Lagoon, Merizo, Guam. This event is scheduled to 
take place from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 27, 2018. This safety zone is 
necessary to protect all persons and vessels participating in this 
marine event from potential safety hazards associated with vessel 
traffic in the area. Race participants, chase boats and organizers of 
the event will be exempt from the safety zone. Entry of persons or 
vessels into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the 
COTP.

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 the size, location, 
duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic will be 
able to safety transit around this safety zone which will impact a 
small designated area of the Cocos Lagoon for 6 hours. Moreover, the 
Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine

[[Page 21887]]

channel 16 about the zone and the rule allows 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.
    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 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 puts in place 
a safety zone lasting for 6 hours that will prohibit entry within 100-
yards of swim participants. It is categorically excluded from further 
review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction 
Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of Environmental Consideration 
supporting this determination is 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 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.T14-0290 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T14-0290  Safety Zone; Cocos Lagoon, Merizo, GU.

    (a) Location. The following area, within the Guam Captain of the 
Port (COTP) Zone (See 33 CFR 3.70-15) is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within a 100-yard radius of race participants in Merizo and 
Cocos Lagoon. Race participants, chase boats and organizers of the 
event will be exempt from the safety zone.
    (b) Effective dates. This rule is effective from 7 a.m. through 1 
p.m. on May 27, 2018.
    (c) Enforcement. Any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty 
officer, and any other COTP representative permitted by law, may 
enforce this temporary safety zone.
    (d) Waiver. The COTP may waive any of the requirements of this rule 
for any person, vessel, or class of vessel upon finding that 
application of the safety zone is unnecessary or impractical for the 
purpose of maritime security.
    (e) 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: April 20, 2018.
Christopher M. Chase,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Guam.
[FR Doc. 2018-10101 Filed 5-10-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P