Safety Zone Regulations, New Tacoma Narrows Bridge Construction Project, 50974-50976 [05-17091]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 166 (Monday, August 29, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50974-50976]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-17091]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD13-05-033]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone Regulations, New Tacoma Narrows Bridge Construction 
Project

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule; change in effective period.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is extending the effective period for a 
temporary safety zone during preconstruction for the Tacoma Narrows 
Bridge construction project. The Coast Guard is taking this action to 
safeguard the public from hazards associated with the transport and 
construction of the cable wires and cable bands being used to construct 
the catwalk for the new bridge. Entry into this zone is prohibited 
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or his 
designated representatives.

DATES: The effective period for the temporary final rule published at 
70 FR 45537, August 8, 2005, is extended from August 20, 2005, through 
September 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket CGD13-05-033 and are available for 
inspection or copying at Coast Guard Sector Seattle, Waterways 
Management Division, 1519 Alaskan Way South, Seattle, WA 98134, between 
8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Junior Grade Jessica Hagen, 
Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard Sector Seattle, at (206) 
217-6232.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

[[Page 50975]]

Background and Purpose

    On August 8, 2005, we published a temporary final rule for Tacoma 
Narrows Bridge entitled ``Safety Zone Regulations, New Tacoma Narrows 
Bridge Construction Project'' in Federal Register (70 FR 45537) under 
Sec. 165.T13-013. This temporary final rule extends the effective 
period until September 8, 2005.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
has not been published for this regulation and good cause exists for 
making it effective without publication of an NPRM in the Federal 
Register. Publishing a NPRM would be contrary to public interest since 
immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and 
persons that transit in the vicinity of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. If 
normal notice and comment procedures were followed, this rule would not 
become effective until after the date of the event.

Discussion of Rule

    As of today, the need for a safety zone still exists. The Coast 
Guard is extending the temporary safety zone regulation on the Tacoma 
Narrows and adjoining waters, for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge Project 
through September 8, 2005. The Coast Guard has determined it is 
necessary to limit access to 250 yards on either side of a line from 
the approximate position of 47[deg]16'15'' N, 122[deg]33'15'' W, to 
47[deg]15'54'' N, 122[deg]32'49'' W, to 47[deg]15'49'' N, 
122[deg]32'43'' W, in order to safeguard people and property from 
hazards associated with this project. These safety hazards include, but 
are not limited to, hazards to navigation, collisions with the cables, 
and collisions with work vessels and barges. The Coast Guard, through 
this action, intends to promote the safety of personnel, vessels, and 
facilities in the area. Entry into this zone will be prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port or his representative. This 
safety zone will be enforced by Coast Guard personnel. The Captain of 
the Port may be assisted by other Federal, State, or local agencies.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This temporary rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' 
under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an 
assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of 
that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it 
under that Order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies 
and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
    We expect the economic impact of this temporary rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the 
regulatory policies and procedures of DHS is unnecessary. This 
expectation is based on the fact that the regulated area established by 
this regulation would encompass a small area that should not impact 
commercial or recreational traffic. For the above reasons, the Coast 
Guard does not anticipate any significant economic impact.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. 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.
    This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be 
small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit 
this portion of Tacoma Narrows during the time this regulation is in 
effect. The zone will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities due to its short duration and 
small area. Because the impacts of this rule are expected to be so 
minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under 605(b) of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612) that this temporary rule will not 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Assistance for Small Entities

    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 so that they can better evaluate 
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. 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).

Collection of Information

    This temporary rule would call for no new collection of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

    We have analyzed this temporary rule under Executive Order 13132 
and have determined that this rule does not have implications for 
federalism under that Order.

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 State, local, or tribal government, in the 
aggregate, or the private sector of $100,000,000 or more in any one 
year. Though this rule will not result in such expenditure, we do 
discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This temporary rule would not effect a taking of private property 
or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

    This temporary rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize 
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule 
is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

    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

[[Page 50976]]

distribution of power and responsibilities between the federal 
government and Indian tribes.

Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant 
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 
which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit 
the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the 
Instruction. Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under 
figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, from further 
environmental documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record 
keeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.


0
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends part 
165 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 165--[AMENDED]

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 50 
U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. 
L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.


0
2. Section 165.T13-013 is extended and revised to read as follows: From 
5 a.m. to 9 p.m. from August 20 to September 8, 2005, a temporary 
Sec. 165.T13-013 is added to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T13-013  Safety Zone Regulations, New Tacoma Narrows Bridge 
Construction Project.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Tacoma Narrows, Puget Sound, Washington State, within 250 yards on 
either side of a line with the points of 47[deg]16'15'' N, 
122[deg]33'15'' W, to 47[deg]15'54'' N, 122[deg]32'49'' W, to 
47[deg]15'49'' N, 122[deg]32'43'' W. [Datum: NAD 1983]
    (b) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 
Section 165.23 of this part, no person or vessel may enter or remain in 
the zone except for those persons involved in the construction of the 
new Tacoma Narrows Bridge, supporting personnel, or other vessels 
authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated 
representatives. Vessels and persons granted authorization to enter the 
safety zone shall obey all lawful orders or directions of the Captain 
of the Port or his designated representative.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 5 a.m. 
until 9 p.m., Pacific Daylight Time, from August 20 to September 8, 
2005, except for Sundays and September 5, 2005.

    Dated: August 16, 2005.
Stephen P. Metruck,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Puget Sound.
[FR Doc. 05-17091 Filed 8-26-05; 8:45 am]
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