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[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 125 (Thursday, June 28, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30340-30343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13898]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0340]
RIN 1625-AA08

Special Local Regulation; Corpus Christi Bay, Corpus Christi, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local 
regulation for certain navigable waters of Corpus Christi Bay. This 
action is necessary to protect marine event

[[Page 30341]]

participants, spectators and transiting vessels on these navigable 
waters during the Youth World's Championship regatta held at the Corpus 
Christi Yacht Club. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus 
Christi or designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. on July 14, 2018 through 3 
p.m. on July 21, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0340 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Petty Officer Kevin Kyles, Waterways Management Division, 
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-939-5125, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule without prior notice 
and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This 
provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and 
opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), the Coast Guard finds that 
good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) with respect to this rule because it would be impracticable. 
This safety zone must be established by July 14, 2018 and we lack 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing this rule. The NPRM process 
would delay the establishment of the special local regulation until 
after the scheduled date of the regatta and compromise public safety.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be contrary to the public interest because immediate 
action is necessary to ensure the safety of persons and vessels during 
the regatta.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1233. The Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the vessel traffic 
occurring on July 14, 2018 through July 21, 2018 will be a safety 
concern for participants within the boating course. Potential hazards 
include risk of injury or death resulting from near or actual contact 
among participant vessels and spectator vessels or waterway users if 
normal vessel traffic were to interfere with the event. The purpose of 
this rule is to ensure safety of participants, spectators, and 
transiting vessels in the regulated area before, during, and after the 
Youth World's Championship regatta.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary special local regulation from 
6:15 a.m. through 3 p.m. each day from July 14, 2018 through July 21, 
2018 in Corpus Christi Bay, approximately 3,000 feet east of People's 
Street T-Head in Corpus Christi, TX. The regatta will be inside a 
rectangular area with the most northwestern point located at 
27[deg]47'31'' N, 97[deg]22'33.05'' W, most northeastern point located 
at 27[deg]47'29.46'' N, 97[deg]19'44.26'' W, most southeastern point 
located at 27[deg]46'12.06'' N, 97[deg]19'44.78'' W, and the most 
southwestern located at 27[deg]46'09.55'' N, 97[deg]22'28.78'' W. The 
duration of the special local regulation is intended to protect the 
public from potential navigation hazards before, during, and after the 
event. No vessel or person is permitted to enter the regulated area 
without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. A designated representative may be a Patrol Commander 
(PATCOM). The PATCOM will be aboard either a Coast Guard or Coast Guard 
Auxiliary vessel. The PATCOM may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM 
(156.8 MHz) by the call sign ``PATCOM''.
    All persons and vessels not registered with the sponsor as 
participants or official patrol vessels are considered spectators. The 
``official patrol vessels'' consist of any Coast Guard, state, or local 
law enforcement and sponsor provided vessels assigned or approved by 
the COTP to patrol the regulated area.
    Spectator vessels desiring to enter, transit through or within, or 
exit the regulated area may do so only with permission from the COTP or 
a designated representative, and when permitted, must operate at a 
minimum safe navigation speed in a manner which will not endanger 
participants in the regulated area or any other vessels. No spectator 
vessel shall anchor, block, loiter, or impede the through transit of 
participants or official patrol vessels in the regulated area during 
the effective dates and times, unless cleared for entry by or through 
an official patrol vessel. Any spectator vessel may anchor outside the 
regulated area, but may not anchor in, block, or loiter in a navigable 
channel.
    The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control the 
movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or signaled 
by an official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an immediate stop 
and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in 
expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both.
    The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the event or 
the operation of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for the 
protection of life or property. The COTP or a designated representative 
can terminate enforcement of the special local regulations at the 
conclusion of the event.
    The COTP or a designated representative would inform the public of 
the enforcement times for this safety zone through Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety 
Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this rule has

[[Page 30342]]

not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and 
pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt from the requirements of 
Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on size, location, 
duration, and time-of-day for the special local regulation. Vessel 
traffic will be able to safely navigate around the regulated area, 
which will impact only a small portion of the Laguna Madre for 3 hours 
and 15 minutes on one day. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs) via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about 
the regulation so that waterway users may plan accordingly for transits 
during this restriction, and the rule allows vessels to seek permission 
from the COTP or a designated representative to enter the regulated 
area.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small 
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations 
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their 
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 
50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
temporary regulated area may be small entities, for the reasons stated 
in section V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic 
impact on any vessel owner or operator.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.
    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that 
question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of the 
Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This rule would not call for a new collection of information under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive 
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it 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 rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, 
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule would not result 
in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 rule is a special local regulation that limits daily 
access to certain navigable waters of Corpus Christi Bay over eight 
days. Normally such actions are categorically excluded from further 
review under paragraph L61 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction 
Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A preliminary Record of Environmental 
Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket 
where indicated under ADDRESSES.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that 
your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or 
security of people, places or vessels.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

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

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR part 100 as follows:

PART 100--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233; 33 CFR 1.05-1.

0
2. Add Sec.  100.35T08-0340 to read as follows:

Sec.  100.35T08-0340  Special Local Regulation; Corpus Christi Bay, 
Corpus Christi, TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a special local regulation: All 
navigable waters inside approximate rectangular area from with the most 
northwestern point located at 27[deg]47'31'' N, 97[deg]22'33.05'' W, 
the most northeastern point being located at 27[deg]47'29.46'' N, 
97[deg]19'44.26'' W, the most southeastern point located at 
27[deg]46'12.06'' N, 97[deg]19'44.78'' W, and the most southwestern 
located at 27[deg]46'09.55'' N, 97[deg]22'28.78'' W, in Corpus Christi 
Bay, approximately 3,000 feet east of

[[Page 30343]]

People's Street T-Head in Corpus Christi, TX.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 6:15 a.m. on 
July 14, 2018 through 3 p.m. on July 21, 2018.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 6:15 
a.m. through 3 p.m. during each day of the effective period.
    (d) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  100.35 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a 
designated representative. A designated representative may be a Patrol 
Commander (PATCOM). The PATCOM may be aboard either a Coast Guard or 
Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel. The Patrol Commander may be contacted on 
Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) by the call sign ``PATCOM''.
    (2) All persons and vessels not registered with the sponsor as 
participants or official patrol vessels are considered spectators. The 
``official patrol vessels'' consist of any Coast Guard, state, or local 
law enforcement and sponsor provided vessels assigned or approved by 
the COTP or a designated representative to patrol the regulated area.
    (3) Spectator vessels desiring to transit the regulated area may do 
so only with prior approval of the COTP or a designated representative 
and when so directed by that officer will be operated at a minimum safe 
navigation speed in a manner which will not endanger participants in 
the regulated area or any other vessels.
    (4) No spectator vessel shall anchor, block, loiter, or impede the 
through transit of participants or official patrol vessels in the 
regulated area during the effective dates and times, unless cleared for 
entry by or through an official patrol vessel.
    (5) Spectator vessels may anchor outside the regulated area, but 
may not anchor in, block, or loiter in a navigable channel.
    (6) The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control 
the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or 
signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an 
immediate stop and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so 
may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, 
or both.
    (7) The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the event 
or the operation of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for 
the protection of life or property.
    (8) The COTP or a designated representative will terminate 
enforcement of the special local regulations at the conclusion of the 
event.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this 
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices 
to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) 
as appropriate.

    Dated: June 21, 2018.
E.J. Gaynor
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2018-13898 Filed 6-27-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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