Safety Zone; James River; Newport News, VA, 48609-48611 [2013-19362]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 48609-48611]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19362]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0670]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; James River; Newport News, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone around 
the USNS Del Monte. This safety zone will restrict vessel traffic on a 
portion of the James River within a 1500 foot radius of the USNS Del 
Monte. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement in 
the vicinity of the James River to protect mariners from the hazards 
associated with live fire and explosive training events.

DATES: This rule will be effective from 8 a.m. on August 19, 2013, 
until 4 p.m. on August 22, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
[USCG-2013-0670]. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type the 
docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also 
visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email LCDR Hector Cintron, Waterways Management Division Chief, 
Sector Hampton Roads, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 668-5581, email 
Hector.L.Cintron@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

A. Regulatory History and Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final 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 the event plan was received on July 
16, 2013, which is only 34 days prior to the event date. As such, it is 
impracticable to provide a full comment period due to lack of time. 
Delaying this regulation's effective date for comment would is 
impracticable as immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of the 
other vessels transiting the event area. The Coast Guard will provide 
advance notifications to users of the effected waterways of the safety 
zone via marine information broadcasts and local notice to mariners.

B. Basis and Purpose

    From August 19 through August 22, 2013, the Naval Special Warfare 
Development Group will conduct a training exercise on the USNS Del 
Monte in the James River in the vicinity of the James River Reserve 
Fleet. Due to the need to protect mariners from the hazards associated 
with a live fire and explosives training, such as the accidental 
discharge of ammunition and, dangerous projectiles, vessel traffic will 
be temporarily restricted within 1500 feet of the USNS Del Monte.

C. Discussion of the Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a 1500 foot radius safety zone on 
specified waters of James River around approximate position 
37[deg]06'11'' N/076[deg]38'40'' W in the vicinity of the James River 
Reserve Fleet. This safety zone is being established in the interest of 
public safety during the live fire and explosive training exercise and 
will be

[[Page 48610]]

enforced from 8 a.m. on August 19, 2013, to 4 p.m. on August 22, 2013. 
Access to the safety zone will be restricted during the specified dates 
and times. Except for vessels authorized by the Captain of the Port or 
his Representative, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the 
safety zone.

D. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on these statutes or executive orders.

 1. Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or 
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and 
Budget has not reviewed it under those orders. Although this regulation 
restricts access to the navigable waters of the James River, the effect 
of this rule will not be significant because: (i) The safety zone will 
be in effect for a limited duration; (ii) the zone is of limited size; 
(iii) mariners may transit the waters in and around this safety zone at 
the discretion of the Captain of the Port or designated representative; 
and (iv) the Coast Guard will make notifications via maritime 
advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.

 2. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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.
    The rule would affect the following entities, some of which might 
be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit or anchor in that portion of the James River from 8 a.m. on 
August 19, 2013, through 4 p.m. on August 22, 2013.
    This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: (i) The 
safety zone will only be in place for a limited duration. (ii) Before 
the enforcement period of August 19-22, 2013 maritime advisories will 
be issued allowing mariners to adjust their plans accordingly.

 3. 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. 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, 
above.
    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.

 4. 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).

5. Federalism

    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 determined 
that this rule does not have implications for federalism.

6. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INTFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that 
your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or 
security of people, places or vessels.

 7. 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.

 8. Taking of Private Property

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

 9. Civil Justice Reform

    This 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.

10. 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 create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

 11. 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 distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

12. Energy Effects

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' under Executive 
Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

13. Technical Standards

    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

[[Page 48611]]

14. 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 (NEPA)(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined 
this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually 
or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. 
This rule involves establishing a safety zone for a live fire and 
explosives training exercise and is expected to have no impact on the 
water or environment. This zone is designed to protect mariners from 
the hazards associated with live fire and explosive exercises. This 
rule is categorically 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.

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; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 
50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 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. Add Sec.  165.T05-0670 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0670  Safety Zone, James River, Newport News, VA.

    (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, Captain of the 
Port means the Commander, Sector Hampton Roads. Representative means 
any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been 
authorized to act on the behalf of the Captain of the Port.
    (b) Location. The following area is a safety zone: specified waters 
of the Captain of the Port Sector Hampton Roads zone, as defined in 33 
CFR 3.25-10, all waters of the James River within a 1500 foot radius of 
the USNS Del Monte in approximate position latitude 37[deg]06'11'' N 
longitude 076[deg]38'40'' W, located near Fort Eustis in Newport News, 
VA.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Hampton Roads or his designated 
representatives.
    (2) The operator of any vessel in the immediate vicinity of this 
safety zone shall:
    (i) Stop the vessel immediately upon being directed to do so by any 
commissioned, warrant or petty officer on shore or on board a vessel 
that is displaying a U.S. Coast Guard Ensign.
    (ii) Proceed as directed by any commissioned, warrant or petty 
officer on shore or on board a vessel that is displaying a U.S. Coast 
Guard Ensign.
    (3) The Captain of the Port, Hampton Roads can be reached through 
the Sector Duty Officer at Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth, Virginia 
at telephone Number (757) 668-5555.
    (4) The Navy Representatives enforcing the safety zone can be 
contacted on VHF-FM marine band radio channel 13 (165.65Mhz) and 
channel 16 (156.8 Mhz).
    (d) Enforcement Period. This section will be enforced from Monday 
August 19, 2013, at 8 a.m. until Thursday August 22, 2013, at 4 p.m. 
unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of the Port.

    Dated: July 26, 2013.
John K. Little,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Hampton Roads.
[FR Doc. 2013-19362 Filed 8-8-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P