Safety Zone; Key West Paddle Classic, Key West, FL, 54072-54074 [2021-21272]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 187 (Thursday, September 30, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54072-54074]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-21272]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0757]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Key West Paddle Classic, Key West, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on 
certain navigable waters surrounding Key West, Florida, during the Key 
West Paddle Classic event. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the 
safety of event participants and spectators. Persons and non-
participant vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, 
anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by 
the Captain of the Port (COTP) Key West or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. on October 2, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0757 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 Lieutenant Junior Grade Vera Max, Waterways Management 
Division Chief, Sector Key West, FL, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (305) 
292-8768; e-mail [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

COTP Captain of the Port
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 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 it is impracticable and contrary to 
the public interest. The Coast Guard did not receive necessary 
information from the event sponsor for this year's event until 
September 16, 2021. The Coast Guard has an existing safety zone for 
this event in 33 CFR 165.786, Table to Sec.  165.786, Line No. 4.1; 
however, the existing regulation only covers the event when it is 
scheduled on the last weekend of April. There is not sufficient time to 
publish an NPRM and respond to comments as the event will take place on 
October 2, 2021.
    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 event is taking place on 
October 2, 2021, and immediate action is needed to respond to the 
potential safety hazards associated with this event.

[[Page 54073]]

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under the authority in 46 
U.S.C. 70034. The Captain of the Port Key West (COTP) has determined 
that potential hazards associated with open water swim events will be a 
safety concern for persons and vessels in the regulated area. This rule 
is needed to ensure the safety of the event participants, the general 
public, vessels and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the safety zone during the Key West Paddle Classic paddle board 
event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a moving safety zone on October 2, 2021 for a 
period of 7 hours, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The moving safety zone will 
cover all waters within 50 yards in front of the lead safety vessel 
preceding the first event participants, 50 yards behind the safety 
vessel trailing the last event participants, and at all times extend 
100 yards on either side of safety vessels. The event course begins at 
Higgs Beach in Key West, Florida, moves west to the area offshore of 
Fort Zach State Park, north through Key West Harbor, east through 
Fleming Key Cut, south through Cow Key Channel, and west returning back 
to Higgs Beach. The event is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to 3 
p.m. Approximately 200 paddle boarders and six safety vessels are 
anticipated to participate in the event. The zone is intended to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these 
navigable waters during the event. Persons and non-participant vessels 
are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or 
remaining within the safety zone without obtaining permission from the 
COTP Key West or a designated representative. If authorization to 
enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone is 
granted by the COTP Key West or a designated representative, all 
persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with the 
instructions of the COTP Key West or a designated representative. The 
Coast Guard will provide notice of the safety zone by Local Notice to 
Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or by on-scene designated 
representatives.

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. 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).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration and available exceptions to the enforcement of the 
safety zone. The regulated area will impact small designated areas of 
the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico around Key West, Florida, for 
only 7 hours and thus is limited in time and scope. Furthermore, the 
rule will allow vessels to seek permission to enter the zone. Non-
participant persons and vessels may enter, transit through, anchor in, 
or remain within the regulated area during the enforcement periods if 
authorized by the COTP or a designated representative. Vessels not able 
to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated 
area without authorization from the COTP or a designated representative 
may operate in the surrounding areas during the 7 hour enforcement 
period. The Coast Guard will issue a Local Notice to Mariners and a 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners, allowing mariners to make alternative 
plans or seek permission to transit 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 (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 
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.

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

[[Page 54074]]

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 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 Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), 
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. The regulated area will impact small designated areas of 
the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico around Key West, Florida, for 
only 7 hours and thus is limited in time and scope. It is categorically 
excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, 
Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01. A Record of 
Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available 
in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see the 
ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

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:  46 U.S.C. 70034; 46 U.S.C. 70051; 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.T07-0757 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T07-0757   Safety Zone; Key West Paddle Classic, Key West, 
FL.

    (a) Location. The following regulated area is a moving safety zone: 
All waters extending 100 yards to either side of the race participants 
and safety vessels; extending 50 yards in front of the lead safety 
vessel preceding the first race participants; and extending 50 yards 
behind the safety vessel trailing the last race participants. The event 
course begins at Higgs Beach in Key West, Florida, moves west to the 
area offshore of Fort Zach State Park, north through Key West Harbor, 
east through Fleming Key Cut, south through Cow Key Channel, and west 
returning back to Higgs Beach with turnaround point at Alligator Reef 
Lighthouse.
    (b) Definition. As used in this section, the term ``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 Key West (COTP) in the enforcement of 
the safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area unless authorized by the COTP Key West or a designated 
representative.
    (2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the COTP Key West 
by telephone at (305) 292-8772, or a designated representative via VHF-
FM radio on channel 16 to request authorization. If authorization is 
granted, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must 
comply with the instructions of the COTP Key West or a designated 
representative.
    (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by 
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM 
channel 16, or the COTP's designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
until 3 p.m. on October 2, 2021.

    Dated: September 24, 2021.
A. Chamie,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Key West.
[FR Doc. 2021-21272 Filed 9-29-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P