Gulf of America Renaming, 12235-12238 [2025-04018]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 50 (Monday, March 17, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12235-12238]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-04018]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Chapter I

46 CFR Chapter I

[Docket No. USCG-2025-0186]


Gulf of America Renaming

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: In keeping with Presidential directive, the Coast Guard is 
amending its regulations to update the name of the ``Gulf of Mexico'' 
to the ``Gulf of America.''

DATES: This final rule is effective March 17, 2025.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2025-0186 
in the search box, and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document Type 
column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document, 
call or email Mr. Timothy Brown, Coast Guard; telephone 202-372-2358, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Contents for Preamble

I. Table of Abbreviations
II. Basis and Purpose, Regulatory History, and Background
III. Discussion of the Rule
IV. Regulatory Analyses
    A. Regulatory Planning and Review
    B. Small Entities
    C. Assistance for Small Entities
    D. Collection of Information
    E. Federalism
    F. Unfunded Mandates
    G. Taking of Private Property
    H. Civil Justice Reform
    I. Protection of Children
    J. Indian Tribal Governments
    K. Energy Effects
    L. Environment

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
OMB Office of Management and Budget
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Basis and Purpose, Regulatory History, and Background

    This final rule is issued under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a) 
and 553; 14 U.S.C. 102 and 503; Executive Order

[[Page 12236]]

14172, titled ``Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness'' (90 FR 
8629, Jan. 20, 2025), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Delegation 
No. 00170.1(II)(23) Revision No. 01.4, and 33 CFR 1.05-1(h). Executive 
Order 14172 renamed the area formerly known as the Gulf of Mexico as 
the Gulf of America. The purpose of this rule is to update the Coast 
Guard's chapters in the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) to reflect 
the renaming. This action advances the goals of Executive Order 14172 
to achieve consistency across the federal government when referencing 
the Gulf of America.
    We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) before 
this final rule. The Coast Guard finds that this rule is exempt from 
notice and comment rulemaking requirements under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(A) 
because the gulf renaming is a conforming amendment involving agency 
practice. The Coast Guard also finds good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 
553(b)(B) for not publishing an NPRM. Updating the name of Gulf of 
America in the CFR imposes no substantive changes on the public's 
rights or obligations and will be inconsequential in impact. This is a 
conforming amendment to align our regulations with the Executive order 
and Geographic Names Information System renaming of the Gulf of 
America. For these reasons, notice and comment is unnecessary.
    For the same reasons, the Coast Guard finds good cause exists under 
5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) to make the rule effective fewer than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of the 
rule is unnecessary because updating the name we use in our regulations 
to identify the body of water is inconsequential to the public and the 
name has already been adopted by Executive order.

III. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule replaces the term ``Gulf of Mexico'' with ``Gulf of 
America'' where it appears in existing Coast Guard regulations in 33 
CFR Chapter I and 46 CFR Chapter I. We make this change to reflect the 
current name of the gulf. This change is consistent with Executive 
Order 14172, and the name used by the Geographic Names Information 
System. It will have no substantive impact on the public. Under 33 CFR 
1.05-1(h), the Chief of the Coast Guard's Office of Regulations and 
Administrative Law has been delegated authority to issue regulations 
necessary to implement technical, organizational, and conforming 
amendments and corrections to regulations.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

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

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 13563 
(Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) direct agencies to assess 
the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing 
rules, and of promoting flexibility.
    The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not designated this 
rule a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive 
Order 12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the OMB.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the finding that 
the name change will have no substantive effect on the public. A 
regulatory analysis (RA) follows.
    This rule involves non-substantive technical amendments and updates 
to internal agency practices and procedures; it will not impose any 
additional costs. The technical amendments in this rule modify existing 
language in the CFR, in accordance with Executive Order 14172 
``Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness'' (January 20, 2025), 
to rename the area formerly known as the ``Gulf of Mexico'' to the 
``Gulf of America''. The Coast Guard does not expect that there will be 
any additional costs conferred on the public or the Federal Government 
because none of the technical and editorial changes included in this 
rule will change existing regulatory requirements. A summary of these 
amendments by category and by CFR title and section are presented in 
table 1.
    The unquantified benefits of the non-substantive technical 
amendments are increased accuracy of regulatory information by removing 
expired or cancelled provisions that are no longer relevant.

                         Table 1--Summary of Regulatory Changes by CFR Title and Section
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          CFR title                       Section              Description of changes        Economic impact
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33...........................  Sec.  Sec.   3.35-1, 3.40-1,   Reflects changes brought  No impact; editorial
                                62.51, 72.01-40, 80.835,       by Executive Order        changes.
                                100.703, 100.721, 100.801,     14172 to rename the
                                110.194b, 117.47, 147.801,     area formerly known as
                                147.823, 147.839, 147.847,     the ``Gulf of Mexico''
                                147.849, 147.851, 147.853,     to the ``Gulf of
                                147.855, 147.857, 147.859,     America''.
                                147.861, 147.863, 147.865,
                                147.867, 147.869, 147.871,
                                147.873, 147.875, 147.877,
                                147.879, 148.5, 150.940,
                                151.06, 151.53, 154.1020,
                                154.1020, 154.1020, 155.200,
                                155.1020, 155.1020,
                                155.4025, 155.4025, 156
                                Subpart C, 156 Subpart C,
                                156.300, 156.310, 162.65,
                                162.75, 165.753, 165.801,
                                165.840, 166.200.
46...........................  Sec.  Sec.   24.10-1, 30.10-   Reflects changes brought  No impact; editorial
                                11, 30.10-45, 31.20-1, 44.01-  by Executive Order        changes.
                                12, 70.10-1, 70.10-1, 90.10-   14172 to rename the
                                11, 90.10-25, 109.585          area formerly known as
                                Appendix A, 110.15-1,          the ``Gulf of Mexico''
                                114.400, 125.160, 133.70,      to the ``Gulf of
                                133.105, 136.110, 151.03-11,   America''.
                                151.03-39, 167.60-1,
                                170.050, 172.030, 175.400,
                                188.10-15, 188.10-51, 199.30.
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B. Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, 
requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact on small 
entities when they issue a rule after being required to first publish a 
general notice of proposed rulemaking. Under 5 U.S.C 604(a), a 
regulatory flexibility analysis is not required for this final rule 
because under provision in 553(b)(B) we were not required to publish a 
general notice of a proposed rulemaking. Therefore, we did not conduct 
a regulatory flexibility analysis for this rule.

[[Page 12237]]

C. Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996, Public Law 104-121, we offer to assist small 
entities in understanding this final rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. The 
Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or 
complain about this final rule or any policy or action of the Coast 
Guard. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast 
Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).

D. Collection of Information

    This rule calls for no new or revised collection of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.

E. Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132 
(Federalism) if it has a substantial direct effect on 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 Executive Order 13132 and 
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.

F. Unfunded Mandates

    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. Although this rule will not result 
in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

G. Taking of Private Property

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

H. Civil Justice Reform

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

I. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045 (Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks). This 
rule is not an economically significant rule and will not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.

J. Indian Tribal Governments

    This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 
13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments), 
because it will 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.

K. Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211 (Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use). We have determined that it is not a 
``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is 
not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, 
distribution, or use of energy.

L. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management 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 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. 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. This 
final rule is categorically excluded under paragraph A3, and L54 of 
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. 
The categorical exclusion CATEX A3 pertains to the promulgation of 
rules, issuance of rulings or interpretations, and the development and 
publication of policies, orders, directives, notices, procedures, 
manuals, advisory circulars, and other guidance documents of the 
following nature: (a) those of a strictly administrative or procedural 
nature, (b) those that implement, without substantive change, statutory 
or regulatory requirements, (c) those that implement, without 
substantive change, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, 
and (d) those that interpret or amend an existing regulation without 
changing its environmental effect. CATEX L54 pertains to regulations 
which are editorial or procedural. This final rule involves non-
substantive technical, organizational, and conforming amendments to 
existing Coast Guard regulations.

List of Subjects

33 CFR Parts 62, 72, 80, 100, 147, 150, 162, 165, 166

    Navigation (water).

33 CFR Part 3

    Organization and functions (Government agencies).

33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

33 CFR Part 148

    Administrative practice and procedure, environmental protection, 
harbors, petroleum.

33 CFR Part 151

    Administrative practice and procedure, oil pollution, penalties, 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements, water pollution control.

33 CFR Part 154

    Alaska, fire prevention, hazardous substances, oil pollution, 
reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

33 CFR Part 155

    Alaska, hazardous substances, incorporation by reference, oil 
pollution, reporting and recordkeeping requirements.

33 CFR Part 156

    Hazardous substances, oil pollution, reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, water pollution control.

46 CFR Parts 24, 31, 70, 90, 109, 114, 125, 133, 151, 167, 170, 172, 
175, 188, 199

    Marine safety.

46 CFR Part 30

    Cargo vessels, foreign relations, hazardous materials 
transportation, incorporation by reference, penalties, reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, seamen.

[[Page 12238]]

46 CFR Part 44

    Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, vessels.

46 CFR Part 110

    Incorporation by reference, reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, vessels.

46 CFR Part 136

    Incorporation by reference, reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, towing vessels.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, under the authority of 
14 U.S.C. 102, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR chapter I and 46 CFR 
chapter I as follows:

Title 33--Navigation and Navigable Waters

CHAPTER I [AMENDED]

0
1. In chapter I amend parts 3, 62, 72, 80, 100, 110, 117, 147, 148, 
150, 151, 154, 155, 156, 162, 165, 166 by removing the text ``Gulf of 
Mexico'' wherever it appears and adding, in its place, the text ``Gulf 
of America''.

Title 46--Shipping

CHAPTER I [AMENDED]

0
2. In chapter I amend parts 24, 30, 31, 44. 70, 90, 109, 110, 114, 125, 
133, 136, 151, 167, 170, 172, 175, 188, 199 by removing the text ``Gulf 
of Mexico'' wherever it appears and adding, in its place, the text 
``Gulf of America''.

    Dated: March 10, 2025.
Michael T. Cunningham,
Chief, Office of Regulations and Administrative Law.
[FR Doc. 2025-04018 Filed 3-13-25; 4:15 pm]
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