Port of Miami Anchorage Area; Atlantic Ocean, Miami Beach, FL, 28788-28791 [2016-10850]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 90 (Tuesday, May 10, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 28788-28791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10850]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[Docket Number USCG-2015-0729]
RIN 1625-AA01


Port of Miami Anchorage Area; Atlantic Ocean, Miami Beach, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to revise the Miami Anchorage. Under 
the proposal, the Miami Anchorage would be divided into two separate 
anchorage areas. This action is necessary to reduce potential damage to 
threatened coral posed by anchoring vessels. This proposed revision 
would update the regulation to clarify the regulatory text and to 
reflect the establishment of two anchorage areas instead of one area 
currently in place. We invite your comments on this proposed 
rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before July 11, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2015-0729 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email LT Ruth Sadowitz, Sector Miami 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 305-535-
4307, email Ruth.A.Sadowitz@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FDEP Florida Department of Environmental Protection
FR Federal Register
NMFS National Marine Fisheries Service
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
SEFCRI South East Florida Coral Reef Initiative
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    On December 1, 2015, the Coast Guard published a Notice of Study 
and request for comments (80 FR 75020) advising that we were evaluating 
an amendment to the Miami Anchorage (33 CFR 110.188) that would divide 
the anchorage into two separate anchorage areas. The possible 
modification of the anchorage area was designed in coordination with 
local stakeholders in an effort to mitigate damage to coral that may be 
caused by vessels anchoring. Comments provided by these stakeholders, 
academic research, and environmental reports addressed a number of 
options to potentially reduce the likelihood of damage to the Florida 
Reef in the Miami Anchorage. Those documents, which may be found in the 
docket, influenced this Coast Guard's selection of the anchorage 
modification proposed in this notice.
    In response to the Notice of Study, the Coast Guard received four 
comments. The first comment was from the non-profit organization, Miami 
Waterkeeper. Miami Waterkeeper supports the modifications to the 
anchorage area as those modifications would both better protect 
threatened species and critical coral habitat and still allow for safe 
navigation.
    The second comment came from the National Marine Fisheries 
Service--Habitat Conservation Division (NFMS). NMFS stated that they 
support relocating the anchorage area in order to reduce continued 
degradation of the coral reef and, ultimately, allow for restoration of 
the reef.
    The third comment was from NOAA. On December 1, 2015, NOAA 
submitted a comment to verify the coordinates of the possible amended 
anchorage area listed in the notice. The coordinates for the location 
of the amended anchorage areas were published incorrectly. The 
latitudinal coordinates were inadvertently published in the longitude 
column and vice versa. However, the numerical coordinates published in 
the chart was correct. The error has been

[[Page 28789]]

corrected in this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
    The final comment came from Florida Department of Environmental 
Protection (FDEP). FDEP commented that the Coast Guard erred when it 
stated the genesis for the division of the anchorages was a SEFCRI 
report. While the SEFCRI report was instrumental to the evaluation of 
the current Miami Anchorage, the two anchorage solution was originally 
discussed in an academic paper authored by Lauren Waters, a FDEP 
employee. This paper can be found in the docket.
    The comments received in response to the notice were positive or 
addressed non-substantive errors in the notice. The Coast Guard is 
therefore proceeding with a proposal to revise the Miami Anchorage 
under the authority of 33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 2071, 33 CFR 
1.05-1 and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard proposes to revise the Miami Anchorage by dividing 
the anchorage into two separate anchorage areas and clarifying text 
throughout the regulation. This revision is intended to reduce threats 
to protected coral without compromising the ability of vessels to 
anchor safely. Although the two separate anchorages encompass a smaller 
area, they allow for the facilitation of safe anchorage of both shallow 
and deep draft vessels. The amended coordinates would establish two 
anchorages with a combined area of approximately 1.5 square miles 
thereby reducing the total anchorage area by approximately 3 square 
nautical miles. The amended anchorage areas would be established with 
the following coordinates:

                                             Small Western Anchorage
                                        [Approximate water depths: 45 ft]
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                                                  Latitude                             Longitude
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NW Corner............................  25[deg]47'57.687'' N.........  080[deg]05'37.225'' W.
NE Corner............................  25[deg]47'57.341'' N.........  080[deg]05'26.466'' W.
SE Corner............................  25[deg]46'31.443'' N.........  080[deg]05'27.069'' W.
SW Corner............................  25[deg]46'31.557'' N.........  080[deg]05'37.868'' W.
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                                             Large Eastern Anchorage
                                       [Approximate water depths: 120 ft]
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                                                  Latitude                             Longitude
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NW Corner............................  25[deg]48'13.841'' N.........  080[deg]04'59.155'' W.
NE Corner............................  25[deg]48'04.617'' N.........  080[deg]04'04.582'' W.
SE Corner............................  25[deg]46'32.712'' N.........  080[deg]04'28.387'' W.
SW Corner............................  25[deg]46'32.767'' N.........  080[deg]04'59.775'' W.
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    Additional minor revisions to the Miami Anchorage regulation are 
also proposed to pluralize the anchorage grounds that would be 
established and to clarify existing regulation text.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed 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.

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 NPRM has not been designated 
a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of Management 
and Budget.
    This regulatory action determination is based on relatively minor 
changes to the existing Miami Anchorage regulation. This proposed 
regulation would create two separate anchorage areas with a combined 
total of 1.5 square miles of anchorage; while this does reduce the 
total anchorage area, the ability of shallow and deep draft vessels to 
safely anchor should not be impacted. This proposed regulation would 
clarify other regulatory text, but no other substantive changes are 
proposed.

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 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to use the 
anchorage may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section IV.A 
above, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact 
on any vessel owner or operator.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.
    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 proposed 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. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that 
question or complain about this

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proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it would 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 proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed 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 made 
a preliminary determination 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 proposed rule involves reducing 
an anchorage. Normally such actions are categorically excluded from 
further review under paragraph 34(f) of Figure 2-1 of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.lD. We seek any comments or information that may 
lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this 
proposed rule.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the 
docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal 
Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal 
Register (70 FR 15086).
    Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket, 
and all public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that Web site's 
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up 
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a 
final rule is published.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 110 as follows:

PART 110--ANCHORAGES

0
1. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 2071; 33 CFR 1.05-
1; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. Revise Sec.  110.188 to read as follows:


Sec.  110.188  Atlantic Ocean off Miami and Miami Beach, FL.

    (a) The anchorage grounds. (1) Anchorage A. All area of the 
Atlantic Ocean, encompassed by a line beginning at 25[deg]47'57.687'' 
N., 080[deg]05'37.225'' W., thence east to 25[deg]47'57.341'' N., 
080[deg]05'26.466'' W., thence south to 25[deg]46'31.443'' N., 
080[deg]05'27.069'' W., thence west to 25[deg]46'31.557'' N., 
080[deg]05'37.868'' W., thence back to origin.
    (2) Anchorage B. All area of the Atlantic Ocean, encompassed by a 
line beginning at 25[deg]48'13.841'' N., 080[deg]04'59.155'' W., thence 
east to 25[deg]48'04.617'' N., 080[deg]04'04.582'' W., thence south to 
25[deg]46'32.712'' N., 080[deg]04'28.387'' W., thence west to 
25[deg]46'32.767'' N., 080[deg]04'59.775'' W., thence back to origin.
    (b) The rules and regulations. (1) Except in cases of emergency, no 
vessel shall be anchored in the Atlantic Ocean in the vicinity of the 
entrances to the approach channels leading to the cities of Miami Beach 
and Miami, Fl., outside of the anchorage grounds defined and 
established.
    (2) Any vessel anchoring under circumstances of emergency outside 
of either anchorage ground shall be shifted to a new berth within the 
grounds immediately after the emergency ceases.
    (3) All vessels seeking to anchor shall lie at anchor with as short 
a cable as conditions will permit.
    (4) A vessel, upon being notified to move into the anchorage limits 
or to shift its position on an anchorage ground, must get underway at 
once or signal for a tug and must change position as directed with 
reasonable promptness.
    (5) Whenever the maritime or commercial interests of the United 
States so require, the Captain of the Port, U.S. Coast Guard, Miami, 
Florida, is hereby empowered to shift the position of any vessel 
anchored on an anchorage ground or outside thereof, or any vessel 
moored or anchored so as to impede or obstruct vessel movements or 
obstruct or interfere with range lights.
    (6) Vessels carrying explosives shall be anchored only under a 
written permit issued by the Captain of the Port and at such point as 
she or he may direct.
    (7) Vessels carrying explosives shall be at all times under the 
charge or command of a competent person and must display by day a red 
flag, of not less than 16 square feet, at the masthead or not less than 
10 feet above the upper

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deck if the vessel has no mast; at night a red light shall be displayed 
in the positions specified for the red flag.
    (8) Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as relieving the 
owner or person in charge of any vessel from penalties for obstructing 
navigation, or for obstructing or interfering with range lights, or for 
not complying with navigation laws in regard to lights, fog signals, or 
other aids to navigation, or for otherwise violating the law.
    (9) All vessels desiring to use an Anchorage must notify the Coast 
Guard Captain of the Port, via the Biscayne Bay Pilots on VHF-FM 
Channel 12 or 16.
    (10) All vessels anchored within the anchorage grounds shall 
maintain a 24-hour bridge watch by an English speaking licensed or 
credentialed deck officer monitoring VHF-FM Channel 16. This individual 
shall perform frequent checks of the vessel's position to ensure the 
vessel is not dragging anchor.
    (11) Vessels experiencing casualties such as a main propulsion, 
main steering, or anchoring equipment malfunction or which are planning 
to perform main propulsion engine repairs or maintenance, shall 
immediately notify the Coast Guard Captain of the Port via the Coast 
Guard Sector Miami on VHF-FM Channel 16.
    (12) The Coast Guard Captain of the Port may close the anchorage 
grounds and direct vessels to depart an anchorage during periods of 
adverse weather or at other times as deemed necessary in the interest 
of port safety.

    Dated: May 4, 2016.
S.A. Buschman,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2016-10850 Filed 5-9-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P