Safety Zone; Revolution Wind Farm Project Area, Outer Continental Shelf, Lease OCS-A 0486, Offshore Rhode Island, Atlantic Ocean, 20150-20157 [2024-05992]
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and any response or reply and may
request and review such additional
documents or information as they deem
relevant to render a decision and may,
at their sole discretion, conduct a
hearing consistent with § 808.3. All
parties will be provided with a
reasonable opportunity to review and
address any additional documents or
information deemed relevant by the
presiding officer to render a decision.
Additional documents and information
deemed relevant by the presiding officer
will be included in the record.
(g) Findings and Report. Upon
completing an evaluation of the protest,
the presiding officer shall prepare a
report of their findings and
recommendations based on the record.
The report shall be served by electronic
mail or certified mail upon each party
to the proceeding. Any party may file
objections to the report. Such objections
to the report shall be filed with the
Commission and served on all parties
within 20 calendar days after service of
the report. A brief shall be filed together
with the objections. Any replies to the
objections and briefs will be filed and
served on all parties within ten calendar
days of service of the objections. Prior
to its decision on such objections, the
Commission may, in its sole discretion,
grant a request for oral argument.
(h) Action by the Commission. The
Commission will review the findings
and recommendations of the presiding
officer and the objections and render a
determination. The Commission’s
determination will be in writing and
will be served by electronic or certified
mail upon each party to the proceeding.
(i) Appeal. Any final action by the
Commission may be appealed to the
appropriate United States District Court
within 90 days as set forth in § 3.10(6)
and Federal reservation (o) of the
Compact.
(j) Record of Determination. The
Commission’s record of determination
for review by the court shall consist of
the solicitation; the contract, if any; the
administrative record of the protest
before the presiding officer; the report of
the presiding officer, along with any
objections and replies filed; transcripts
and exhibits, if any; and the final
determination of the Board of
Commissioners.
(k) Stay of Procurement During
Pendency of Protest. In the event a
protest is filed timely under this section,
the purchasing officer shall not proceed
further with the solicitation or with the
award of the contract unless and until
the Executive Director makes a written
determination that the protest is clearly
without merit, or that award of the
contract without delay is necessary to
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protect substantial interests of the
Commission, or until the Commission
enters a final determination under
paragraph (h) of this section.
(l) Exclusive Procedure. This section
shall be the exclusive procedure for
protesting a solicitation or award of a
contract by a bidder or offeror, a
prospective bidder or offeror or a
prospective contractor that is aggrieved
in connection with the solicitation or
award of a contract by the Commission.
Dated: March 18, 2024.
Jason E. Oyler,
Secretary to the Commission.
I. Table of Abbreviations
[FR Doc. 2024–06035 Filed 3–20–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7040–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 147
[Docket Number USCG–2024–0134]
RIN 1625–AA00
Safety Zone; Revolution Wind Farm
Project Area, Outer Continental Shelf,
Lease OCS–A 0486, Offshore Rhode
Island, Atlantic Ocean
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Coast Guard proposes to
establish 67 temporary safety zones
around the construction of each facility
during the development of the
Revolution Wind Farm project area
within Federal waters on the Outer
Continental Shelf, specifically in the
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS–A
0486, approximately 15 nautical miles
offshore southeast of Point Judith,
Rhode Island. This action protects life,
property, and the environment during
construction of each facility from June
1, 2024, to May 31, 2027. When
enforced, only attending vessels and
vessels with authorization are permitted
to enter or remain in the temporary
safety zones.
DATES: Comments and related material
must be received by the Coast Guard on
or before April 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2024–0134 using the Federal DecisionMaking 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
SUMMARY:
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comments. This notice of proposed
rulemaking with its plain-language, 100word-or-less proposed rule summary
will be available in this same docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If
you have questions about this proposed
rulemaking, call or email Mr. Craig
Lapiejko, Waterways Management, at
Coast Guard First District, telephone
617–603–8592, email craig.d.lapiejko@
uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
BOEM Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DD Degrees Decimal
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
OCS Outer Continental Shelf
OSS Offshore Substation
NAD 83 North American Datum of 1983
NM Nautical Mile
RWF Revolution Wind Farm
§ Section
U.S.C. United States Code
WTG Wind Turbine Generator
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal
Basis
On February 2, 2024, Orsted, an
offshore wind farm developer, notified
the Coast Guard that they plan to begin
construction of the Revolution Wind
facilities in the Revolution Wind Farm
(RWF) project area within Federal
waters on the Outer Continental Shelf
(OCS), specifically in the Bureau of
Ocean Energy Management (BOEM)
Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS–A
0486, approximately 15 nautical miles
(NM) offshore southeast of Point Judith,
Rhode Island, 32 NM southeast of the
Connecticut coast and 12 NM southwest
of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts in
June 2024.
The extremely complex offshore
construction of these OCS facilities
presents many unusually hazardous
conditions including hydraulic pile
driving hammer operations, heavy lift
operations, overhead cutting operations,
potential falling debris, increased vessel
traffic, and stationary barges in close
proximity to the facilities and each
other.
Based on these circumstances, the
First Coast Guard District Commander
has determined that establishment of 67
temporary safety zones through
rulemaking is warranted to ensure the
safety of life, property, and the
environment within a 500-meter radius
of each of the 67 facilities during their
construction.
The Coast Guard is proposing this
rule under the authorities provided in
14 U.S.C. 544, 43 U.S.C. 1333, and
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Department of Homeland Security
(DHS) Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision
No. 01.3. As an implementing regulation
of this authority, 33 CFR part 147
permits the establishment of safety
zones for non-mineral energy resource
permanent or temporary structures
located on the OCS for the purpose of
protecting life and property on the
facilities, appurtenances and attending
vessels, and on the adjacent waters
within the safety zone (see 33 CFR
147.10). Accordingly, a safety zone
established under 33 CFR part 147 may
also include provisions to restrict,
prevent, or control certain activities,
including access by vessels or persons
to maintain safety of life, property, and
the environment.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
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The District Commander is proposing
to establish 67 temporary 500-meter
safety zones around the construction of
65 WTGs and two OSS on the OCS from
June 1, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on May
31, 2027.
The construction of these facilities is
expected to take place in mixed phases
alternating between the installation of
several monopile type foundations
followed by the installation of the upper
structures then repeating this process
throughout the project area until all 67
facilities have been completed. The 67
temporary safety zones would be
enforced individually as construction
progresses from one structure location
to the next throughout the entire process
for a period lasting approximately 48
hours. The Coast Guard would make
notice of each enforcement period via
the Local Notice to Mariners and issue
a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via
marine channel 16 (VHF–FM) as soon as
practicable in response to an emergency
or hazardous condition. The Coast
Guard is publishing this rulemaking to
be effective, and enforceable, through
May 31, 2027, to encompass any
construction delays due to weather or
other unforeseen circumstances. If, as
currently scheduled, the project is
completed before May 31, 2027,
enforcement of the safety zones would
be suspended, and notice given via
Local Notice to Mariners.
Name
Facility Type
AE06 ..........................................................
AE07 ..........................................................
AE08 ..........................................................
AE09 ..........................................................
AE10 ..........................................................
AE11 ..........................................................
AF05 ..........................................................
AF06 ..........................................................
AF08 ..........................................................
AF09 ..........................................................
AF10 ..........................................................
AF11 ..........................................................
AG04 ..........................................................
AG05 ..........................................................
AG06 ..........................................................
AG07 ..........................................................
AG08 ..........................................................
AG09 ..........................................................
AH04 ..........................................................
AH05 ..........................................................
AH06 ..........................................................
AH07 ..........................................................
AH08 ..........................................................
AH09 ..........................................................
AJ02 ...........................................................
AJ03 ...........................................................
AJ04 ...........................................................
AJ05 ...........................................................
AJ06 ...........................................................
AJ07 ...........................................................
AJ08 ...........................................................
AJ09 ...........................................................
AJ10 ...........................................................
AJ11 ...........................................................
AJ12 ...........................................................
AJ13 ...........................................................
AJ14 ...........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
OSS ...........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
OSS ...........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
1 The Rhode Island and Massachusetts Structure
Labeling Plot (West) is an attachment to the
Conditions of Construction and Operations Plan
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Latitude
41°13.555′
41°13.575′
41°13.603′
41°13.632′
41°13.652′
41°13.676′
41°12.528′
41°12.554′
41°12.607′
41°12.628′
41°12.652′
41°12.676′
41°11.504′
41°11.529′
41°11.554′
41°11.579′
41°11.606′
41°11.625′
41°10.503′
41°10.529′
41°10.548′
41°10.586′
41°10.610′
41°10.632′
41°09.452′
41°09.470′
41°09.502′
41°09.528′
41°09.563′
41°09.578′
41°09.604′
41°09.633′
41°09.638′
41°09.675′
41°09.695′
41°09.737′
41°09.748′
Approval Lease Number OCS–A 0517 (boem.gov)
and can be found at https://www.boem.gov/sites/
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Additional information about the
construction process of the RWF can be
found at https://www.boem.gov/
renewable-energy/state-activities/
revolution-wind.
The 67 temporary 500-meter safety
zones around the construction of 65
WTGs and two OSS are in the RWF
project area, specifically in the BOEM
Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS–A
0486, approximately 15 nautical NM
offshore southeast of Point Judith,
Rhode Island, 32 NM southeast of the
Connecticut coast and 12 NM southwest
of Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.
The positions of each individual
safety zone proposed by this rulemaking
will be referred to using a unique alphanumeric naming convention outlined in
the ‘‘Rhode Island and Massachusetts
Structure Labeling Plot (West)’’.1
Aligning with authorities under 33
CFR 147.15, the proposed safety zones
would include the area within 500meters of the center point of the
positions provided in the table below
expressed in Degrees (°) Minutes (′)
(DM) based on North American Datum
1983 (NAD 83).
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N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
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N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Longitude
71°10.367′
71°09.050′
71°07.719′
71°06.402′
71°05.081′
71°03.763′
71°11.647′
71°10.336′
71°07.702′
71°06.375′
71°05.051′
71°03.738′
71°12.944′
71°11.625′
71°10.302′
71°08.984′
71°07.660′
71°06.359′
71°12.921′
71°11.594′
71°10.276′
71°08.946′
71°07.622′
71°06.307′
71°15.530′
71°14.213′
71°12.896′
71°11.478′
71°10.243′
71°08.919′
71°07.612′
71°06.319′
71°04.949′
71°03.617′
71°02.297′
71°00.954′
70°59.654′
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
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W
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W
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W
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W
W
default/files/documents/renewable-energy/stateactivities/SFWF-COP-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf.
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Name
Facility Type
AJ15 ...........................................................
AK10 ..........................................................
AK12 ..........................................................
AL10 ..........................................................
AL11 ..........................................................
AL12 ..........................................................
AL18 ..........................................................
AL19 ..........................................................
AL20 ..........................................................
AL21 ..........................................................
AM11 .........................................................
AM12 .........................................................
AM14 .........................................................
AM17 .........................................................
AM18 .........................................................
AM19 .........................................................
AM20 .........................................................
AM21 .........................................................
AN11 ..........................................................
AN12 ..........................................................
AN13 ..........................................................
AN14 ..........................................................
AN15 ..........................................................
AN16 ..........................................................
AP11 ..........................................................
AP12 ..........................................................
AP13 ..........................................................
AP14 ..........................................................
AP15 ..........................................................
AP16 ..........................................................
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
WTG
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41°09.757′
41°08.654′
41°08.699′
41°07.652′
41°07.666′
41°07.652′
41°07.834′
41°07.856′
41°07.876′
41°07.887′
41°06.666′
41°06.680′
41°06.705′
41°06.796′
41°06.833′
41°06.862′
41°06.877′
41°06.904′
41°05.666′
41°05.703′
41°05.675′
41°05.801′
41°05.760′
41°05.792′
41°04.671′
41°04.697′
41°04.731′
41°04.746′
41°04.766′
41°04.788′
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
N
Longitude
70°58.367′
71°04.935′
71°02.260′
71°04.840′
71°03.554′
71°02.224′
70°54.300′
70°52.968′
70°51.651′
70°50.387′
71°03.547′
71°02.252′
70°59.567′
70°55.614′
70°54.272′
70°52.937′
70°51.626′
70°50.325′
71°03.499′
71°02.118′
71°00.836′
70°59.538′
70°58.223′
70°56.911′
71°03.482′
71°02.144′
71°00.873′
70°59.423′
70°58.180′
70°56.858′
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
W
approximately one NM spacing between
each position.
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
(Small scale chartlet showing the positions of the proposed safety zones.)
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The positions of the 67 proposed
safety zones are shown on the chartlets
below. For scaling purposes, there is
Latitude
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(Small scale chartlet showing the positions of the proposed safety zones in relation to the
approaches to Narragansett Bay, RI, and Buzzards Bay, MA.)
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(Large scale chartlet showing the positions of the proposed safety zones.)
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(Chartlet showing locations using alpha-numeric naming convention.)
Navigation in the vicinity of the
proposed safety zones consists of large
commercial shipping vessels, fishing
vessels, cruise ships, tugs with tows,
and recreational vessels.
When enforced, no unauthorized
vessel or person would be permitted to
enter the safety zone without obtaining
permission from the First Coast Guard
District Commander or a designated
representative. Requests for entry into
the safety zone would be considered
and reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Persons or vessels seeking to enter the
safety zone must request authorization
from the First Coast Guard District
Commander or designated
representative via VHF–FM channel 16
or by phone at 617–603–1560 (First
Coast Guard District Command Center).
If permission is granted, all persons and
vessels shall comply with the
instructions of the First Coast Guard
District Commander or designated
representative.
The proposed regulatory text appears
at the end of this document.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after
considering numerous statutes and
Executive orders related to rulemaking.
A summary of our analyses based on
these statutes and Executive orders
follows.
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 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
(OMB).
Aligning with 33 CFR 147.15, the
safety zones established would extend
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to a maximum distance of 500-meters
around the OCS facility measured from
its center point. Vessel traffic would be
able to safely transit around the
proposed safety zones, which would
impact a small, designated area in the
Atlantic Ocean, without significant
impediment to their voyage. This safety
zone would provide for the safety of life,
property, and the environment during
the construction of each structure, in
accordance with Coast Guard maritime
safety missions.
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.
This rulemaking may affect owners or
operators of vessels intending to transit
or anchor in the RWF, some of which
might be small entities. However, these
safety zones would not have a
significant economic impact on a
substantial number of these entities
because they are temporarily enforced,
allow for deviation requests, and do not
impact vessel transit significantly.
Regarding the enforcement period,
although these safety zones would be in
effect from June 1, 2024, through May
31, 2027, vessels would only be
prohibited from the regulated zone
during periods of actual construction
activity in correspondence to the period
of enforcement. We expect the
enforcement period at each location to
last approximately 48 hours as
construction progresses from one
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structure location to the next throughout
the mixed phases. Additionally, vessel
traffic could pass safely around each
safety zone using an alternate route. Use
of an alternate route likely will cause
minimal delay for the vessel in reaching
their destination depending on other
traffic in the area and vessel speed.
Vessels would also be able to request
deviation from this rule to transit
through a safety zone. Such requests
would be considered on a case by-case
basis and may be authorized by the First
Coast Guard District Commander or a
designated representative. For these
reasons, the Coast Guard expects any
impact of this rulemaking establishing a
temporary safety zone around these OCS
facilities to be minimal and have no
significant economic impact on small
entities.
If you think that your business,
organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity
and that this proposed 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 rulemaking would economically
affect it.
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 proposed rule. If the
proposed rule would affect your small
business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction and you have questions
concerning its provisions or options for
compliance, please call or email 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 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
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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 call or email 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
potential effects of this proposed rule
elsewhere in this preamble.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
F. Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule
under Department of Homeland
Security Directive 023–01, Rev. 1,
associated implementing instructions,
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 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 the establishment of a
safety zone around an OCS facility to
protect life, property, and the marine
environment. Normally such actions are
categorically excluded from further
review under paragraph L60 of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction
Manual 023–01–001–01, Rev. 1. A
preliminary 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. We seek any comments or
information that may lead to the
discovery of a significant environmental
impact from this proposed rule.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First
Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to call or email 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.
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.
Submitting comments. We encourage
you to submit comments through the
Federal Decision-Making Portal at
https://www.regulations.gov. To do so,
go to https://www.regulations.gov, type
USCG–2024–0134 in the search box and
click ‘‘Search.’’ Next, look for this
document in the Search Results column,
and click on it. Then click on the
Comment option. If you cannot submit
Name
AE06
AE07
AE08
AE09
AE10
AE11
AF05
Facility Type
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..........................................................
..........................................................
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List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 147
Continental shelf, Marine safety,
Navigation (waters).
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard is proposing
to amend 33 CFR part 147 as follows:
PART 147—SAFETY ZONES
1. The authority citation for part 147
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 14 U.S.C. 544; 43 U.S.C. 1333;
33 CFR 1.05–1; Department of Homeland
Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision
No. 01.3.
2. Add § 147.T01–0134 to read as
follows:
■
§ 147.T01–0134 Safety Zone; Revolution
Wind Farm Project Area, Outer Continental
Shelf, Lease OCS–A 0486, Offshore Rhode
Island, Atlantic Ocean.
(a) Description. The area within 500meters of the center point of the
positions provided in the table below is
a safety zone:
Latitude
..........................................................
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..........................................................
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..........................................................
..........................................................
..........................................................
PO 00000
your material by using https://
www.regulations.gov, call or email the
person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this proposed rule
for alternate instructions.
Viewing material in docket. To view
documents mentioned in this proposed
rule as being available in the docket,
find the docket as described in the
previous paragraph, and then select
‘‘Supporting & Related Material’’ in the
Document Type column. Public
comments will also be placed in our
online docket and can be viewed by
following instructions on the https://
www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked
Questions web page. We review all
comments received, but we will only
post comments that address the topic of
the proposed rule. We may choose not
to post off-topic, inappropriate, or
duplicate comments that we receive.
Personal information. We accept
anonymous comments. Comments we
post to https://www.regulations.gov will
include any personal information you
have provided. For more about privacy
and submissions to the docket in
response to this document, see DHS’s
eRulemaking System of Records notice
(85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
Sfmt 4702
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71°09.050′
71°07.719′
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71°05.081′
71°03.763′
71°11.647′
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 56 / Thursday, March 21, 2024 / Proposed Rules
Name
Facility Type
AF06 ..........................................................
AF08 ..........................................................
AF09 ..........................................................
AF10 ..........................................................
AF11 ..........................................................
AG04 ..........................................................
AG05 ..........................................................
AG06 ..........................................................
AG07 ..........................................................
AG08 ..........................................................
AG09 ..........................................................
AH04 ..........................................................
AH05 ..........................................................
AH06 ..........................................................
AH07 ..........................................................
AH08 ..........................................................
AH09 ..........................................................
AJ02 ...........................................................
AJ03 ...........................................................
AJ04 ...........................................................
AJ05 ...........................................................
AJ06 ...........................................................
AJ07 ...........................................................
AJ08 ...........................................................
AJ09 ...........................................................
AJ10 ...........................................................
AJ11 ...........................................................
AJ12 ...........................................................
AJ13 ...........................................................
AJ14 ...........................................................
AJ15 ...........................................................
AK10 ..........................................................
AK12 ..........................................................
AL10 ..........................................................
AL11 ..........................................................
AL12 ..........................................................
AL18 ..........................................................
AL19 ..........................................................
AL20 ..........................................................
AL21 ..........................................................
AM11 .........................................................
AM12 .........................................................
AM14 .........................................................
AM17 .........................................................
AM18 .........................................................
AM19 .........................................................
AM20 .........................................................
AM21 .........................................................
AN11 ..........................................................
AN12 ..........................................................
AN13 ..........................................................
AN14 ..........................................................
AN15 ..........................................................
AN16 ..........................................................
AP11 ..........................................................
AP12 ..........................................................
AP13 ..........................................................
AP14 ..........................................................
AP15 ..........................................................
AP16 ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
OSS ...........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
OSS ...........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
WTG ..........................................................
(b) Definitions. As used in this
section, 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 First Coast
VerDate Sep<11>2014
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Latitude
41°12.554′
41°12.607′
41°12.628′
41°12.652′
41°12.676′
41°11.504′
41°11.529′
41°11.554′
41°11.579′
41°11.606′
41°11.625′
41°10.503′
41°10.529′
41°10.548′
41°10.586′
41°10.610′
41°10.632′
41°09.452′
41°09.470′
41°09.502′
41°09.528′
41°09.563′
41°09.578′
41°09.604′
41°09.633′
41°09.638′
41°09.675′
41°09.695′
41°09.737′
41°09.748′
41°09.757′
41°08.654′
41°08.699′
41°07.652′
41°07.666′
41°07.652′
41°07.834′
41°07.856′
41°07.876′
41°07.887′
41°06.666′
41°06.680′
41°06.705′
41°06.796′
41°06.833′
41°06.862′
41°06.877′
41°06.904′
41°05.666′
41°05.703′
41°05.675′
41°05.801′
41°05.760′
41°05.792′
41°04.671′
41°04.697′
41°04.731′
41°04.746′
41°04.766′
41°04.788′
Guard District Commander in the
enforcement of the safety zones.
(c) Regulations. No vessel may enter
or remain in this safety zone except for
the following:
(1) An attending vessel as defined in
33 CFR 147.20;
(2) A vessel authorized by the First
Coast Guard District Commander or a
designated representative.
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Longitude
71°10.336′
71°07.702′
71°06.375′
71°05.051′
71°03.738′
71°12.944′
71°11.625′
71°10.302′
71°08.984′
71°07.660′
71°06.359′
71°12.921′
71°11.594′
71°10.276′
71°08.946′
71°07.622′
71°06.307′
71°15.530′
71°14.213′
71°12.896′
71°11.478′
71°10.243′
71°08.919′
71°07.612′
71°06.319′
71°04.949′
71°03.617′
71°02.297′
71°00.954′
70°59.654′
70°58.367′
71°04.935′
71°02.260′
71°04.840′
71°03.554′
71°02.224′
70°54.300′
70°52.968′
70°51.651′
70°50.387′
71°03.547′
71°02.252′
70°59.567′
70°55.614′
70°54.272′
70°52.937′
70°51.626′
70°50.325′
71°03.499′
71°02.118′
71°00.836′
70°59.538′
70°58.223′
70°56.911′
71°03.482′
71°02.144′
71°00.873′
70°59.423′
70°58.180′
70°56.858′
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(d) Request for permission. Persons or
vessels seeking to enter the safety zone
must request authorization from the
First Coast Guard District Commander
or a designated representative. If
permission is granted, all persons and
vessels must comply with lawful
instructions of the First Coast Guard
District Commander or designated
E:\FR\FM\21MRP1.SGM
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Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 56 / Thursday, March 21, 2024 / Proposed Rules
representative via VHF–FM channel 16
or by phone at 617–603–1560 (First
Coast Guard District Command Center).
(e) Effective and enforcement periods.
This section will be effective from June
1, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on May 31,
2027. But it will only be enforced
during active construction or other
instances which may cause a hazard to
navigation deemed necessary by the
First Coast Guard District Commander.
The First Coast Guard District
Commander will make notification of
the exact dates and times in advance of
each enforcement period for the
locations above in paragraph (a) of this
section to the local maritime community
through the Local Notice to Mariners
and will issue a Broadcast Notice to
Mariners via marine channel 16 (VHF–
FM) as soon as practicable in response
to an emergency. If the project is
completed before May 31, 2027,
enforcement of the safety zones will be
suspended, and notice given via Local
Notice to Mariners. The First Coast
Guard District Local Notice to Mariners
can be found at: https://www.navcen.
uscg.gov.
Dated: March 15, 2024.
J.W. Mauger,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander,
First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2024–05992 Filed 3–20–24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Part 70
[EPA–R03–OAR–2024–0070; FRL–11788–
01–R3]
Clean Air Act Title V Operating Permit
Program Revision; West Virginia
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Proposed rule.
AGENCY:
The Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a
revision to West Virginia’s Title V
Operating Permits Program, submitted
on behalf of the state by the West
Virginia Department of Environmental
Protection (WVDEP). There are three
components to the revision: it
restructures the Title V operating permit
fees collected by WVDEP in order to
ensure that the Title V operating
program is adequately funded; it
amends West Virginia’s Title V
regulations to comport with Federal
permit review, public petition, and
affirmative defense requirements; and
removes obsolete transitional language.
lotter on DSK11XQN23PROD with PROPOSALS1
SUMMARY:
VerDate Sep<11>2014
16:01 Mar 20, 2024
Jkt 262001
This action is being taken under section
502 of the Clean Air Act (CAA).
DATES: Written comments must be
received on or before April 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: Submit your comments,
identified by Docket ID No. EPA–R03–
OAR–2024–0070 at
www.regulations.gov, or via email to
Opila.MaryCate@epa.gov. For comments
submitted at Regulations.gov, follow the
online instructions for submitting
comments. Once submitted, comments
cannot be edited or removed from
Regulations.gov. For either manner of
submission, EPA may publish any
comment received to its public docket.
Do not submit electronically any
information you consider to be
confidential business information (CBI)
or other information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Multimedia
submissions (audio, video, etc.) must be
accompanied by a written comment.
The written comment is considered the
official comment and should include
discussion of all points you wish to
make. EPA will generally not consider
comments or comment contents located
outside of the primary submission (i.e.
on the web, cloud, or other file sharing
system). For additional submission
methods, please contact the person
identified in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section. For the
full EPA public comment policy,
information about CBI or multimedia
submissions, and general guidance on
making effective comments, please visit
www.epa.gov/dockets/commenting-epadockets.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Yongtian He, Permits Branch (3AD10),
Air & Radiation Division, U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency,
Region III, Four Penn Center, 1600 John
F Kennedy Boulevard, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania 19103. The telephone
number is (215) 814–2339. Mr. He can
also be reached via electronic mail at
he.yongtian@epa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
The West Virginia Title V Operating
Permit Program is implemented through
its ‘‘Requirements for Operating
Permits’’ rule, codified at Title 45,
Series 30 of the West Virginia Code of
State Regulations (45CSR30). The EPA
granted full approval of the West
Virginia Title V Operating Permit
Program effective November 19, 2001.
See 66 FR 50325. On May 3, 2023,
WVDEP submitted a revision to
45CSR30 (effective March 31, 2023) for
approval into the state’s EPA-approved
Title V program. WVDEP revised
45CSR30 to: (1) restructure the Title V
PO 00000
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Fmt 4702
Sfmt 4702
20157
program fee as recommended by the
EPA in a September 2021 Title V
Program Evaluation Report, an August
2019 Title V Permit Fee Evaluation
Report, and a May 2015 Title V Program
Evaluation Report; 1 (2) comport with
the EPA’s ‘‘Revisions to the Petition
Provisions of the Title V Permitting
Program’’ final Federal rule (85 FR 6431,
February 5, 2020) and the EPA’s
‘‘Removal of Title V Emergency
Affirmative Defense Provisions from
State Operating Permit Programs and
Federal Operating Permit Program’’ (88
FR 47029, July 21, 2023); and (3) remove
obsolete transitional language and
provide additional clarifications.
Under 40 CFR 70.9(a) and (b), an
approved state Title V operating permits
program must require that the owners or
operators of 40 CFR part 70 sources pay
annual fees, or the equivalent over some
other period, that are sufficient to cover
the permit program costs and ensure
that any fee required under 40 CFR 70.9
is used solely for permit program costs.
The fee schedule must result in the
collection and retention of revenues
sufficient to cover the permit program
implementation and oversight costs. 40
CFR 70.9(b).
A. Fee Structure Revision
West Virginia’s initial Title V permit
emission fee was established in 1994 at
45CSR30.8 and was based on emissions
of individual sources subject to the West
Virginia Title V Operating Permit
Program. The initial fee was $15 per ton
of regulated pollutant emitted by subject
sources. On July 1, 1995, this increased
to $18 per ton. See 81 FR 7463, February
12, 2016, footnote 1. Subject sources
were not required to pay annual fees for
emissions in excess of 4,000 tons per
year, referred to as an emissions fee cap.
On June 10, 2015, West Virginia again
amended its fee provisions at
45CSR30.8 to increase the annual
emission fee from $18 to $28 per ton
and maintained the emissions fee cap
for individual sources at 4,000 tons per
year. The EPA approved this revision on
February 12, 2016. See 81 FR 7463.
The state submission indicates that
under the previous fee structure,
approximately 60% of Title V fees
generated in West Virginia were paid by
the top ten emitting sources of West
Virginia’s approximately 500 Title V
facilities. Nine of the top ten sources
were coal-fired electric generating units
(EGUs), some of which, according to the
state, have indicated the possibility of
retiring in the near future. Accordingly,
the previous fee structure was not
1 The reports are available at www.epa.gov/caapermitting/title-v-evaluation-report-west-virginia.
E:\FR\FM\21MRP1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 56 (Thursday, March 21, 2024)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20150-20157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-05992]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 147
[Docket Number USCG-2024-0134]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Revolution Wind Farm Project Area, Outer Continental
Shelf, Lease OCS-A 0486, Offshore Rhode Island, Atlantic Ocean
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish 67 temporary safety
zones around the construction of each facility during the development
of the Revolution Wind Farm project area within Federal waters on the
Outer Continental Shelf, specifically in the Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0486, approximately 15
nautical miles offshore southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island. This
action protects life, property, and the environment during construction
of each facility from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2027. When enforced,
only attending vessels and vessels with authorization are permitted to
enter or remain in the temporary safety zones.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before April 22, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2024-0134 using the Federal Decision-Making 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. This notice of proposed rulemaking
with its plain-language, 100-word-or-less proposed rule summary will be
available in this same docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rulemaking, call or email Mr. Craig Lapiejko, Waterways
Management, at Coast Guard First District, telephone 617-603-8592,
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
BOEM Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DD Degrees Decimal
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
OCS Outer Continental Shelf
OSS Offshore Substation
NAD 83 North American Datum of 1983
NM Nautical Mile
RWF Revolution Wind Farm
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
WTG Wind Turbine Generator
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
On February 2, 2024, Orsted, an offshore wind farm developer,
notified the Coast Guard that they plan to begin construction of the
Revolution Wind facilities in the Revolution Wind Farm (RWF) project
area within Federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS),
specifically in the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Renewable
Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0486, approximately 15 nautical miles (NM)
offshore southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island, 32 NM southeast of
the Connecticut coast and 12 NM southwest of Martha's Vineyard,
Massachusetts in June 2024.
The extremely complex offshore construction of these OCS facilities
presents many unusually hazardous conditions including hydraulic pile
driving hammer operations, heavy lift operations, overhead cutting
operations, potential falling debris, increased vessel traffic, and
stationary barges in close proximity to the facilities and each other.
Based on these circumstances, the First Coast Guard District
Commander has determined that establishment of 67 temporary safety
zones through rulemaking is warranted to ensure the safety of life,
property, and the environment within a 500-meter radius of each of the
67 facilities during their construction.
The Coast Guard is proposing this rule under the authorities
provided in 14 U.S.C. 544, 43 U.S.C. 1333, and
[[Page 20151]]
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision
No. 01.3. As an implementing regulation of this authority, 33 CFR part
147 permits the establishment of safety zones for non-mineral energy
resource permanent or temporary structures located on the OCS for the
purpose of protecting life and property on the facilities,
appurtenances and attending vessels, and on the adjacent waters within
the safety zone (see 33 CFR 147.10). Accordingly, a safety zone
established under 33 CFR part 147 may also include provisions to
restrict, prevent, or control certain activities, including access by
vessels or persons to maintain safety of life, property, and the
environment.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The District Commander is proposing to establish 67 temporary 500-
meter safety zones around the construction of 65 WTGs and two OSS on
the OCS from June 1, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2027.
The construction of these facilities is expected to take place in
mixed phases alternating between the installation of several monopile
type foundations followed by the installation of the upper structures
then repeating this process throughout the project area until all 67
facilities have been completed. The 67 temporary safety zones would be
enforced individually as construction progresses from one structure
location to the next throughout the entire process for a period lasting
approximately 48 hours. The Coast Guard would make notice of each
enforcement period via the Local Notice to Mariners and issue a
Broadcast Notice to Mariners via marine channel 16 (VHF-FM) as soon as
practicable in response to an emergency or hazardous condition. The
Coast Guard is publishing this rulemaking to be effective, and
enforceable, through May 31, 2027, to encompass any construction delays
due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. If, as currently
scheduled, the project is completed before May 31, 2027, enforcement of
the safety zones would be suspended, and notice given via Local Notice
to Mariners.
Additional information about the construction process of the RWF
can be found at https://www.boem.gov/renewable-energy/state-activities/revolution-wind.
The 67 temporary 500-meter safety zones around the construction of
65 WTGs and two OSS are in the RWF project area, specifically in the
BOEM Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0486, approximately 15 nautical
NM offshore southeast of Point Judith, Rhode Island, 32 NM southeast of
the Connecticut coast and 12 NM southwest of Martha's Vineyard,
Massachusetts.
The positions of each individual safety zone proposed by this
rulemaking will be referred to using a unique alpha-numeric naming
convention outlined in the ``Rhode Island and Massachusetts Structure
Labeling Plot (West)''.\1\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The Rhode Island and Massachusetts Structure Labeling Plot
(West) is an attachment to the Conditions of Construction and
Operations Plan Approval Lease Number OCS-A 0517 (boem.gov) and can
be found at https://www.boem.gov/sites/default/files/documents/renewable-energy/state-activities/SFWF-COP-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Aligning with authorities under 33 CFR 147.15, the proposed safety
zones would include the area within 500-meters of the center point of
the positions provided in the table below expressed in Degrees ([deg])
Minutes (') (DM) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Facility Type Latitude Longitude
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AE06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.555' N 71[deg]10.367' W
AE07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.575' N 71[deg]09.050' W
AE08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.603' N 71[deg]07.719' W
AE09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.632' N 71[deg]06.402' W
AE10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.652' N 71[deg]05.081' W
AE11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.676' N 71[deg]03.763' W
AF05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.528' N 71[deg]11.647' W
AF06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.554' N 71[deg]10.336' W
AF08.................................. OSS...................... 41[deg]12.607' N 71[deg]07.702' W
AF09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.628' N 71[deg]06.375' W
AF10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.652' N 71[deg]05.051' W
AF11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.676' N 71[deg]03.738' W
AG04.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.504' N 71[deg]12.944' W
AG05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.529' N 71[deg]11.625' W
AG06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.554' N 71[deg]10.302' W
AG07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.579' N 71[deg]08.984' W
AG08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.606' N 71[deg]07.660' W
AG09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.625' N 71[deg]06.359' W
AH04.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.503' N 71[deg]12.921' W
AH05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.529' N 71[deg]11.594' W
AH06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.548' N 71[deg]10.276' W
AH07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.586' N 71[deg]08.946' W
AH08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.610' N 71[deg]07.622' W
AH09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.632' N 71[deg]06.307' W
AJ02.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.452' N 71[deg]15.530' W
AJ03.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.470' N 71[deg]14.213' W
AJ04.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.502' N 71[deg]12.896' W
AJ05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.528' N 71[deg]11.478' W
AJ06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.563' N 71[deg]10.243' W
AJ07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.578' N 71[deg]08.919' W
AJ08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.604' N 71[deg]07.612' W
AJ09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.633' N 71[deg]06.319' W
AJ10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.638' N 71[deg]04.949' W
AJ11.................................. OSS...................... 41[deg]09.675' N 71[deg]03.617' W
AJ12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.695' N 71[deg]02.297' W
AJ13.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.737' N 71[deg]00.954' W
AJ14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.748' N 70[deg]59.654' W
[[Page 20152]]
AJ15.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.757' N 70[deg]58.367' W
AK10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]08.654' N 71[deg]04.935' W
AK12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]08.699' N 71[deg]02.260' W
AL10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.652' N 71[deg]04.840' W
AL11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.666' N 71[deg]03.554' W
AL12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.652' N 71[deg]02.224' W
AL18.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.834' N 70[deg]54.300' W
AL19.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.856' N 70[deg]52.968' W
AL20.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.876' N 70[deg]51.651' W
AL21.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.887' N 70[deg]50.387' W
AM11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.666' N 71[deg]03.547' W
AM12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.680' N 71[deg]02.252' W
AM14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.705' N 70[deg]59.567' W
AM17.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.796' N 70[deg]55.614' W
AM18.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.833' N 70[deg]54.272' W
AM19.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.862' N 70[deg]52.937' W
AM20.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.877' N 70[deg]51.626' W
AM21.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.904' N 70[deg]50.325' W
AN11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.666' N 71[deg]03.499' W
AN12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.703' N 71[deg]02.118' W
AN13.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.675' N 71[deg]00.836' W
AN14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.801' N 70[deg]59.538' W
AN15.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.760' N 70[deg]58.223' W
AN16.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.792' N 70[deg]56.911' W
AP11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.671' N 71[deg]03.482' W
AP12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.697' N 71[deg]02.144' W
AP13.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.731' N 71[deg]00.873' W
AP14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.746' N 70[deg]59.423' W
AP15.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.766' N 70[deg]58.180' W
AP16.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.788' N 70[deg]56.858' W
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The positions of the 67 proposed safety zones are shown on the
chartlets below. For scaling purposes, there is approximately one NM
spacing between each position.
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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BILLING CODE 9110-04-C
Navigation in the vicinity of the proposed safety zones consists of
large commercial shipping vessels, fishing vessels, cruise ships, tugs
with tows, and recreational vessels.
When enforced, no unauthorized vessel or person would be permitted
to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the First
Coast Guard District Commander or a designated representative. Requests
for entry into the safety zone would be considered and reviewed on a
case-by-case basis. Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone
must request authorization from the First Coast Guard District
Commander or designated representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or by
phone at 617-603-1560 (First Coast Guard District Command Center). If
permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the
instructions of the First Coast Guard District Commander or designated
representative.
The proposed regulatory text appears at the end of this document.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes
and Executive orders related to rulemaking. A summary of our analyses
based on these statutes and Executive orders follows.
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 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 (OMB).
Aligning with 33 CFR 147.15, the safety zones established would
extend to a maximum distance of 500-meters around the OCS facility
measured from its center point. Vessel traffic would be able to safely
transit around the proposed safety zones, which would impact a small,
designated area in the Atlantic Ocean, without significant impediment
to their voyage. This safety zone would provide for the safety of life,
property, and the environment during the construction of each
structure, in accordance with Coast Guard maritime safety missions.
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.
This rulemaking may affect owners or operators of vessels intending
to transit or anchor in the RWF, some of which might be small entities.
However, these safety zones would not have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of these entities because they are
temporarily enforced, allow for deviation requests, and do not impact
vessel transit significantly. Regarding the enforcement period,
although these safety zones would be in effect from June 1, 2024,
through May 31, 2027, vessels would only be prohibited from the
regulated zone during periods of actual construction activity in
correspondence to the period of enforcement. We expect the enforcement
period at each location to last approximately 48 hours as construction
progresses from one structure location to the next throughout the mixed
phases. Additionally, vessel traffic could pass safely around each
safety zone using an alternate route. Use of an alternate route likely
will cause minimal delay for the vessel in reaching their destination
depending on other traffic in the area and vessel speed. Vessels would
also be able to request deviation from this rule to transit through a
safety zone. Such requests would be considered on a case by-case basis
and may be authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander or a
designated representative. For these reasons, the Coast Guard expects
any impact of this rulemaking establishing a temporary safety zone
around these OCS facilities to be minimal and have no significant
economic impact on small entities.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed 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 rulemaking would economically affect it.
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 proposed rule. If the proposed rule
would affect your small business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or
options for compliance, please call or email 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
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
[[Page 20155]]
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 call or email 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 potential effects of
this proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.
F. Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland
Security Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing
instructions, 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 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 the
establishment of a safety zone around an OCS facility to protect life,
property, and the marine environment. Normally such actions are
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60 of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A
preliminary 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. We seek any
comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant
environmental impact from this proposed rule.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to call or email 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.
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.
Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments through
the Federal Decision-Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. To
do so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2024-0134 in the
search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the
Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment
option. If you cannot submit your material by using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate
instructions.
Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this
proposed rule as being available in the docket, find the docket as
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting &
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will
also be placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following
instructions on the https://www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked
Questions web page. We review all comments received, but we will only
post comments that address the topic of the proposed rule. We may
choose not to post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that
we receive.
Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we
post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions
to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking
System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 147
Continental shelf, Marine safety, Navigation (waters).
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is
proposing to amend 33 CFR part 147 as follows:
PART 147--SAFETY ZONES
0
1. The authority citation for part 147 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 14 U.S.C. 544; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 33 CFR 1.05-1;
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No.
01.3.
0
2. Add Sec. 147.T01-0134 to read as follows:
Sec. 147.T01-0134 Safety Zone; Revolution Wind Farm Project Area,
Outer Continental Shelf, Lease OCS-A 0486, Offshore Rhode Island,
Atlantic Ocean.
(a) Description. The area within 500-meters of the center point of
the positions provided in the table below is a safety zone:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name Facility Type Latitude Longitude
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AE06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.555' N 71[deg]10.367' W
AE07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.575' N 71[deg]09.050' W
AE08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.603' N 71[deg]07.719' W
AE09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.632' N 71[deg]06.402' W
AE10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.652' N 71[deg]05.081' W
AE11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]13.676' N 71[deg]03.763' W
AF05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.528' N 71[deg]11.647' W
[[Page 20156]]
AF06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.554' N 71[deg]10.336' W
AF08.................................. OSS...................... 41[deg]12.607' N 71[deg]07.702' W
AF09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.628' N 71[deg]06.375' W
AF10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.652' N 71[deg]05.051' W
AF11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]12.676' N 71[deg]03.738' W
AG04.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.504' N 71[deg]12.944' W
AG05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.529' N 71[deg]11.625' W
AG06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.554' N 71[deg]10.302' W
AG07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.579' N 71[deg]08.984' W
AG08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.606' N 71[deg]07.660' W
AG09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]11.625' N 71[deg]06.359' W
AH04.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.503' N 71[deg]12.921' W
AH05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.529' N 71[deg]11.594' W
AH06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.548' N 71[deg]10.276' W
AH07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.586' N 71[deg]08.946' W
AH08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.610' N 71[deg]07.622' W
AH09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]10.632' N 71[deg]06.307' W
AJ02.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.452' N 71[deg]15.530' W
AJ03.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.470' N 71[deg]14.213' W
AJ04.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.502' N 71[deg]12.896' W
AJ05.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.528' N 71[deg]11.478' W
AJ06.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.563' N 71[deg]10.243' W
AJ07.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.578' N 71[deg]08.919' W
AJ08.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.604' N 71[deg]07.612' W
AJ09.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.633' N 71[deg]06.319' W
AJ10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.638' N 71[deg]04.949' W
AJ11.................................. OSS...................... 41[deg]09.675' N 71[deg]03.617' W
AJ12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.695' N 71[deg]02.297' W
AJ13.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.737' N 71[deg]00.954' W
AJ14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.748' N 70[deg]59.654' W
AJ15.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]09.757' N 70[deg]58.367' W
AK10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]08.654' N 71[deg]04.935' W
AK12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]08.699' N 71[deg]02.260' W
AL10.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.652' N 71[deg]04.840' W
AL11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.666' N 71[deg]03.554' W
AL12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.652' N 71[deg]02.224' W
AL18.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.834' N 70[deg]54.300' W
AL19.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.856' N 70[deg]52.968' W
AL20.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.876' N 70[deg]51.651' W
AL21.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]07.887' N 70[deg]50.387' W
AM11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.666' N 71[deg]03.547' W
AM12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.680' N 71[deg]02.252' W
AM14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.705' N 70[deg]59.567' W
AM17.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.796' N 70[deg]55.614' W
AM18.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.833' N 70[deg]54.272' W
AM19.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.862' N 70[deg]52.937' W
AM20.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.877' N 70[deg]51.626' W
AM21.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]06.904' N 70[deg]50.325' W
AN11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.666' N 71[deg]03.499' W
AN12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.703' N 71[deg]02.118' W
AN13.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.675' N 71[deg]00.836' W
AN14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.801' N 70[deg]59.538' W
AN15.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.760' N 70[deg]58.223' W
AN16.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]05.792' N 70[deg]56.911' W
AP11.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.671' N 71[deg]03.482' W
AP12.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.697' N 71[deg]02.144' W
AP13.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.731' N 71[deg]00.873' W
AP14.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.746' N 70[deg]59.423' W
AP15.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.766' N 70[deg]58.180' W
AP16.................................. WTG...................... 41[deg]04.788' N 70[deg]56.858' W
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Definitions. As used in this section, 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 First
Coast Guard District Commander in the enforcement of the safety zones.
(c) Regulations. No vessel may enter or remain in this safety zone
except for the following:
(1) An attending vessel as defined in 33 CFR 147.20;
(2) A vessel authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander
or a designated representative.
(d) Request for permission. Persons or vessels seeking to enter the
safety zone must request authorization from the First Coast Guard
District Commander or a designated representative. If permission is
granted, all persons and vessels must comply with lawful instructions
of the First Coast Guard District Commander or designated
[[Page 20157]]
representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or by phone at 617-603-1560 (First
Coast Guard District Command Center).
(e) Effective and enforcement periods. This section will be
effective from June 1, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. on May 31, 2027. But it
will only be enforced during active construction or other instances
which may cause a hazard to navigation deemed necessary by the First
Coast Guard District Commander. The First Coast Guard District
Commander will make notification of the exact dates and times in
advance of each enforcement period for the locations above in paragraph
(a) of this section to the local maritime community through the Local
Notice to Mariners and will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via
marine channel 16 (VHF-FM) as soon as practicable in response to an
emergency. If the project is completed before May 31, 2027, enforcement
of the safety zones will be suspended, and notice given via Local
Notice to Mariners. The First Coast Guard District Local Notice to
Mariners can be found at: https://www.navcen.uscg.gov.
Dated: March 15, 2024.
J.W. Mauger,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2024-05992 Filed 3-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
