Document Headings

                    Document headings vary by document type but may contain                    the following:                  
                -                       the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document                    
                -                       the number of the CFR title and the number of each part                      the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly                      related to                    
                -                       the agency docket number / agency internal file number                    
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###### Department of Homeland Security

###### Coast Guard 

          - 33 CFR Part 165 
          - [Docket No. USCG-2012-0101] 
          - RIN 1625-AA00 

# AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS. 

# ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

# SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone upon certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor during the movement of the historic sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION on May 25, 2012. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the tow of the vessel from its berth at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, to a point on the Patapsco River near the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore, Maryland, and its return. This action will restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, and Inner Harbor during the event. 

# DATES:

Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before March 28, 2012. 

# ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2012-0101 using any one of the following methods: 

                        (1)                         *Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov*.                     

                        (2)                         *Fax:*                         202-493-2251.                     

                        (3)                         *Mail:*                         Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.                     

                        (4)                         *Hand delivery:*                         Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.                     

                        To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the                         **SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**                         section below for instructions on submitting comments.                     

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        If you have questions on this proposed rule, call or email Mr. Ronald Houck, Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone 410-576-2674, email                         *Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil.*                         If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.                     

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

## Public Participation and Request for Comments 

                    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted without change to                     *http://www.regulations.gov*                     and will include any personal information you have provided.                 

## Submitting Comments 

                    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2012-0101), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online (via                     *http://www.regulations.gov*) or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online via                     *www.regulations.gov*, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.                 

                    To submit your comment online, go to                     *http://www.regulations.gov,*                     click on the “submit a comment” box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the “Document Type” drop down menu select “Proposed Rule” and insert “USCG-2012-0101” in the “Keyword” box. Click “Search” then click on the balloon shape in the “Actions” column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 8                    1/2                     by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change the rule based on your comments.                 

## Viewing Comments and Documents 

                    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to                     *http://www.regulations.gov*, click on the “read comments” box, which will then become highlighted in blue. In the “Keyword” box insert “USCG-2012-0101” and click “Search.” Click the “Open Docket Folder” in the “Actions” column. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management Facility.                 

## Privacy Act

                    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the                     **Federal Register**                     (73 FR 3316).                

## Public Meeting

                    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for one using one of the four methods specified under                     **ADDRESSES**                    . Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the                     **Federal Register.**

## Basis and Purpose

                    Historic Ships in Baltimore is planning to conduct a “turn-around” ceremony involving the sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION in Baltimore, Maryland on May 25, 2012. Planned events include a three-hour, round-trip tow of the USS CONSTELLATION in the Port of Baltimore, consisting of an onboard salute with navy pattern                           ( print page 11435)                        cannon while the historic vessel is positioned off the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Site. Beginning at 3 p.m., the historic Sloop-of-War USS CONSTELLATION will be towed “dead ship,” which means that the vessel will be underway without the benefit of mechanical or sail propulsion. The return dead ship tow of the USS CONSTELLATION to its berth in the Inner Harbor is expected to occur immediately upon execution of a tug-assisted turn-around of the USS CONSTELLATION on the Patapsco River near Fort McHenry. The Coast Guard anticipates a large recreational boating fleet during this event, scheduled on a late Friday afternoon during the Memorial Day Holiday weekend in Baltimore, Maryland. Operators should expect significant vessel congestion along the planned route. In the event of inclement weather, the “turn-around” will be rescheduled for May 31, 2012.                

To address safety concerns during the event, the Captain of the Port Baltimore proposes to establish a safety zone upon certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor. The proposed safety zone will help the Coast Guard provide a clear transit route for the participating vessels, and provide a safety buffer around the participating vessels while they are in transit. Due to the need to promote maritime safety and protect participants and the boating public in the Port of Baltimore immediately prior to, during, and after the scheduled event, a safety zone is prudent.

## Discussion of Proposed Rule

A permanent safety zone for this proposed rule, with an enforcement period from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. local time annually on the Friday following Labor Day, has already been published and is detailed at Title 33 Code of Federal Regulations, Section 165.512. Due however to a change in scheduling for this calendar year, this event is planned for Friday, May 25, 2012. The historic sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION is scheduled to be towed “dead ship” from its berth at Pier 1 in Baltimore's Inner Harbor along a one-way, planned route of approximately four nautical miles, that includes specified waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor to a point on the Patapsco River near Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland. After being turned-around, the USS CONSTELLATION will be returned to its original berth at Pier 1, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, Maryland. Due to the need to safeguard dead ship tow participants and prevent vessels or persons from approaching the USS CONSTELLATION along the intended route immediately prior to, during, and following the scheduled towing evolution, vessel traffic will be restricted on certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor.

The Captain of the Port Baltimore is proposing to establish a temporary moving safety zone around the USS CONSTELLATION dead ship tow participants from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on May 25, 2012, and, if necessary due to inclement weather, from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on May 31, 2012. The proposed regulated area includes all waters within 200 yards ahead of and 100 yards outboard or aft of the historic Sloop-of-War USS CONSTELLATION while operating in the Inner Harbor, the Northwest Harbor and the Patapsco River. Vessels underway at the time this safety zone is implemented will immediately proceed out of the zone. With the exception of USS CONSTELLATION “turn-around” participants, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. U.S. Coast Guard patrol vessels will be provided to prevent the movement of persons and vessels in the regulated area. The Captain of the Port Baltimore will issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners to publicize the safety zone and notify the public of changes in the status of the zone. Such notices will continue until the event is complete.

## Regulatory Analyses

We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

## Regulatory Planning and Review

This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Executive Order 12866 or under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders.

Although this safety zone restricts vessel traffic through the affected area, the effect of this regulation will not be significant due to the limited size and duration that the regulated area will be in effect. In addition, notifications will be made to the maritime community via marine information broadcasts so mariners may adjust their plans accordingly.

## Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this proposed 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 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 proposed rule may affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to operate or transit through or within the safety zone during the enforcement period. The safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. The safety zone is of limited size and duration. Smaller vessels not constrained by their draft, which are more likely to be small entities, may transit around the safety zone. Maritime advisories will be widely available to the maritime community before the effective period.

                    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 want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. 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 Mr. Ronald L. Houck, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at telephone number 410-576-2674 or email Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain                           ( print page 11436)                        about this proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.                

## Collection of Information

This proposed rule would call 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 proposed 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 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

## Taking of Private Property

This proposed rule would 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.

## Civil Justice Reform

This proposed 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 proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children.

## Indian Tribal Governments

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.

## Energy Effects

We have analyzed this proposed 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 proposed 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 Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide 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 this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination is available in the docket where indicated under                     **ADDRESSES**                    . This proposed rule involves establishing a temporary safety zone. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.                

# List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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

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

# PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

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

Authority:33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. Add § 165.T05-0101 to read as follows:

§ 165.T05-0101 

                            (a)                             *Regulated area.*                             The following location is a safety zone: (1) all waters within 200 yards ahead of and 100 yards outboard or aft of the historic Sloop-of-War USS CONSTELLATION while operating in the Inner Harbor, the Northwest Harbor and the Patapsco River.                        

                            (b)                             *Definitions.*                             As used in this section: (1) “Captain of the Port Baltimore” means the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Maryland.                        

(2) “Designated representative” means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port Baltimore to assist in enforcing the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section.

(3) “USS CONSTELLATION “turn-around” participants” means the USS CONSTELLATION, its support craft and the accompanying towing vessels.

                            (c)                             *Regulations.*                             The general safety zone regulations found in 33 CFR 165.23 apply to the safety zone created by this temporary section, § 165.T05.0101. (1) All persons are required to comply with the general regulations governing safety zones found in 33 CFR 165.23.                        

                            (2) With the exception of USS CONSTELLATION “turn-around” participants, entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain                                   ( print page 11437)                                of the Port Baltimore. Vessels already at berth, mooring, or anchor at the time the safety zone is implemented do not have to depart the safety zone. All vessels underway within this safety zone at the time it is implemented are to depart the zone.                        

(3) Persons desiring to transit the area of the safety zone must first request authorization from the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative. To seek permission to transit the area, the Captain of the Port Baltimore and his designated representatives can be contacted at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, or other Federal, State, or local agency vessel, by siren, radio, flashing lights, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Baltimore or his designated representative and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course while within the zone.

                            (4)                             *Enforcement*. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.                        

                            (d)                             *Enforcement period.*                             This section will be enforced from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on May 25, 2012, and, if necessary due to inclement weather, from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on May 31, 2012.                        

Dated: February 10, 2012.

Mark P. O'Malley,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Baltimore.

[FR Doc. 2012-4397 Filed 2-24-12; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 9110-04-P