[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4488-4490]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-768]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD09-05-142]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Romeoville, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal on the Illinois Waterway near 
Romeoville, Illinois. This safety zone is necessary to close the 
Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal during safety testing of the permanent 
electrical dispersal barrier. This safety zone intended to restrict 
vessels from a portion of the Canal in Romeoville, IL, at various times 
over a 45 day period.

DATES: This rule is in effect during intermittent periods, as announced 
via Broadcast Notice to Mariners, from 7 a.m. (local) on January 30, 
2006 until 7 a.m. (local) on February 28, 2006. Captain of the Port 
Lake Michigan or his on scene representative will inform mariners of 
enforcement periods via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket 
are part of the docket (CGD09-05-142], and are available for inspection 
or copying at Commanding Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit 
Chicago, 215 W. 83rd Street Suite D, Burr Ridge, IL, 60527, between 8 
a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MST1 Kenneth Brockhouse, U.S. Coast 
Guard, Marine Safety Unit Chicago, at (630) 986-2155.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this 
regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. This safety zone is temporary 
in nature and limited time existed for an NPRM. The Coast Guard was not 
made aware that this operation was to take place with sufficient time 
to allow for publication of an NPRM followed by a final rule. Under 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for 
making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register. Delaying this rule would be impracticable and 
immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of personnel and 
vessels during the operational period. During the enforcement of this 
safety zone, comments will be accepted and reviewed and may result in a 
modification to the rule.

Background and Purpose

    A temporary electrical dispersal barrier is in operation at mile 
marker 296.5 on the Chicago Sanitary Ship Canal to prevent Asian Carp 
from entering Lake Michigan.
    A second permanent electrical dispersal barrier is being 
constructed and operational and safety testing must be completed prior 
to placing the permanent barrier in service. Also, additional safety 
tests need to be conducted for the temporary electrical dispersal 
barrier. These tests are scheduled to commence in January 2006. As 
such, the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan has determined that 
intermittent closures of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal are 
necessary to ensure the integrity of the operational and safety tests, 
as well as the safety of the testing crews. Closures will occur between 
January 30, 2006 and February 28, 2006. Mariners will be notified of 
enforcement periods by Broadcast Notice to Mariners. Entry into, 
transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or his designated 
on scene representative via VHF-FM radio Channel 16.

Discussion of Rule

    Operational and safety tests are required to determine the 
electrical parameters of the permanent electrical dispersal barrier, 
and to evaluate the health and safety risks of the electrical fields 
generated by both barriers in this portion of the Chicago Sanitary and 
Ship Canal. Restricting vessel movement through this portion of the 
Canal is necessary to ensure accurate test results, and to protect the 
equipment and crews conducting the tests.
    The safety zone will encompass all waters of the Chicago Sanitary 
and Ship Canal from the Romeo Road Bridge at Mile Marker 296.1 to the 
aerial pipeline arch at Mile Marker 296.7. All commercial and 
recreational vessels will be prohibited from entering the zone during 
enforcement periods. Enforcement periods will be announced via 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners. Vessels may contact the Coast Guard via 
VHF-FM radio Channel 16 to request permission to transit through the 
safety zone.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 
3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does 
not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 
6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not 
reviewed it under that Order. It is not ``significant'' under the 
regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS).
    We expect the economic impact of this established rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies 
and procedures of DHS is unnecessary.
    This finding is based on the relatively small percentage of vessels 
that would fall within the applicability of the regulation, the 
relatively small size of the limited area around the zone, the minimal 
amount of time that vessels will be restricted when the zone is being 
enforced. In addition, vessels that will need to enter the zone may 
request permission on a case-by-case basis from the Captain of the Port 
or the designated on-scene representative.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small entities'' 
comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are 
independently owned and operated and are not

[[Page 4489]]

dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000.
    The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.
    This rule may affect the following entities, some of which might be 
small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit 
through the safety zone in and around the area.
    This rule would not have a significant impact on a substantial 
number of small entities because the restrictions affect only a limited 
area for a brief amount of time as this safety zone is effective only 
when operations are underway. Further, transit through the zone may be 
permitted with proper authorization from the Captain of the Port Lake 
Michigan or his designated representative. Additionally, the 
opportunity to engage in recreational activities outside the limits of 
the safety zone will not be disrupted.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offered to assist small 
entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate 
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. Small 
businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who 
enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal regulations to 
the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Fairness Boards. The 
Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and rates each agency's 
responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on actions by 
employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-800-734-3247.

Collection of Information

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

Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local 
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial 
direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under 
that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for 
federalism.

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 or more in any 
one year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we 
do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

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

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.

Protection of Children

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

Indian Tribal Governments

    This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 
13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, 
because it does not have a substantial direct effect on one or more 
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and 
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

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. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction 
M16475.1D, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have made a preliminary determination that there are no factors in this 
case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 
2.B.2 of the Instruction. Therefore, we believe that this rule should 
be categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the 
Instruction, from further environmental documentation. This event 
establishes a safety zone therefore paragraph (34)(g) of the 
Instruction applies.
    A preliminary ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' is available in 
the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. Comments on this section 
will be considered before we make the final decision on whether the 
rule should be categorically excluded from further environmental 
review.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.


0
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 
CFR part 165 as follows:

[[Page 4490]]

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 50 
U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. 
L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T09-142 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T09-142  Safety Zone; Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, 
Romeoville, IL.

    (a) Location. The following is a safety zone: All waters, bank-to-
bank, from the Romeo Road Bridge at Mile Marker 296.1 to the aerial 
pipeline arch at Mile Marker 296.7 on Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.
    (b) Effective time and date. This rule is in effect from 7 a.m. 
(local) on January 30, 2006 until 7 a.m. (local) on February 28, 2006. 
Enforcement periods will be announced via Broadcast Notice to Mariners. 
Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or the on scene representative may 
terminate this operation at anytime.
    (c) Regulations. In accordance with Sec.  165.23, entry into this 
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the 
Port Lake Michigan, or the designated on-scene representative. Section 
165.23 also contains other general requirements.

    Dated: January 11, 2006.
S.P. LaRochelle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 06-768 Filed 1-26-06; 8:45 am]
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