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                    
                -                       the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in                      the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory                      Actions                    

                    See the                                          Document Drafting Handbook                                        for more details.                  

###### Department of Homeland Security

###### Coast Guard

          - 33 CFR Part 165
          - [Docket Number USCG-2024-0070]
          - RIN 1625-AA00

# AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

# ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

# SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 100-yard radius of the vessels and machinery conducting operations at the site of the tug MAZAPETA in Little Potato Slough near Stockton, CA. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by salvage and pollution removal operations. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector San Francisco.

# DATES:

This rule is effective without actual notice from January 16, 2024 through January 17, 2024. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from 5 a.m. on January 10, 2024, until January 16, 2024.

# ADDRESSES:

                        To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to                         *https://www.regulations.gov,*                         type USCG-2024-0070 in the search box and click “Search.” Next, in the Document Type column, select “Supporting & Related Material.”                    

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        If you have questions about this rule, call or email LT William Harris, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, Waterways Management Division; telephone 415-399-7443, email                         *SFWaterways@uscg.mil.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

## I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

§ 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)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because the vessel MAZAPETA is partially submerged within Little Potato Slough and the Coast Guard must oversee salvage and pollution removal operations and did not receive final details of the plan until January 8, 2024. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety zone by January 10, 2024.

                    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 impracticable because immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the salvage and pollution removal operations to begin on January 10, 2024.                

## III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034. The Captain of the Port (COTP) San Francisco has determined that potential hazards associated with the salvage and pollution removal operations of the vessel MAZAPETA beginning January 10, 2024, will be a safety concern for anyone within a 100-yard radius of the barges and vessels in Little Potato Slough. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone during salvage and pollution removal operations.

## IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a safety zone from 5 a.m. on January 10, 2024, until 11 p.m. on January 17, 2024. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within 100 yards of vessels and machinery being used in the salvage and pollution removal operations of the tug MAZAPETA. The duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters while the vessel is being raised and pollution is being removed. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.

## V. Regulatory Analyses

                    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and Executive orders related to rulemaking.                           ( print page 2488)                        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. This rule has not been designated a “significant regulatory action,” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

This regulatory action determination is based on size, location, and duration of the safety zone. The amount of vessel traffic through Little Potato Slough during the duration of the zone is not anticipated to interfere with salvage and pollution removal operations. The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners about the safety zone to inform the public.

### 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 safety zone 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 call or email the person listed in the                     **FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT**                     section.                

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 Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business 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 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247). 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 will 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 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.

### 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 will 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, 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 determined 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 involves a safety zone that will prohibit entry within 100 yards of vessels and barges being used in the salvage and pollution removal operations of the vessel MAZAPETA. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. 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.                

### 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.                

# 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 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: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

2. Add § 165.T11-154 to read as follows: 

§ 165.T11-150

                            (a)                             *Location.*                             The following area is a safety zone: All waters of Little Potato Slough, from surface to bottom, within 100 yards of the vessels involved in the salvage and pollution removal operations of the vessel MAZAPETA at coordinates 38°3′29″ N, 121°30′3″ W.                        

                            (b)                             *Definitions.*                             As used in the section, “designated representative” means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty                                   ( print page 2489)                                officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel, or a Federal, State, or local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port (COTP) San Francisco in the enforcement of the safety zone.                        

                            (c)                             *Regulations.*                             (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.                        

(2) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety zone must contact the COTP or the COTP's designated representative to obtain permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. Persons and vessels may request to enter the safety zone through the 24-hour Command Center at telephone (415) 399-3547.

                            (d)                             *Enforcement period.*                             This section will be enforced from 5 a.m. on January 10, 2024, through 11 p.m. on January 17, 2024.                        

Dated: January 9, 2024.

Taylor Q. Lam, 

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector San Francisco.

[FR Doc. 2024-00694 Filed 1-12-24; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 9110-04-P