[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 191 (Wednesday, October 2, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 80093-80095]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-22720]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2024-0171]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Baltimore Harbor, Baltimore, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
waters near Baltimore, Maryland to protect the public and vessels from 
potential hazards created by a pollution incident in the Patapsco 
River. Additionally, the safety zone is needed to ensure a safe working 
environment for the first responders and to prevent the spread of 
pollution by passing traffic. This rule will prohibit persons or 
vessels from entering this zone unless specifically authorized by the 
Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Maryland-National Capital Region or 
a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from October 2, 
2024 to October 3, 2024. For purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from September 27, 2024, through October 2, 2024.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2024-0171 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 on this rule, 
call or email LCDR Kate Newkirk, Sector Maryland-NCR, Waterways 
Management Branch, U.S. Coast Guard; 410-365-8141, 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8ec3cac0cddcd9effaebfcf9eff7fdcefbfdede9a0e3e7e2"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3beb7bdb0a1a49287968184928a80b386809094dd9e9a9f">[email protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

COTP Captain of the Port

[[Page 80094]]

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
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 establishing a temporary safety zone for waters 
near the Baltimore Harbor Upper Anchorage 3 near Baltimore, Maryland 
within 1500 feet of the SSI DEFIANT located at 39[deg] 13.18N, 076[deg] 
31.78W. The safety zone is needed to protect the public and vessels 
from potential hazards created by a pollution incident in the Patapsco 
River. The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule under authority 
in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This statutory 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.'' The Coast Guard 
finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because action is necessary 
to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with pollution 
response. It is impracticable to delay establishment of this safety 
zone to publish an NPRM and consider comments because pollution 
response operations must begin as soon as possible.
    Also, 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 and contrary to the public interest 
because immediate action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels 
and persons on these navigable waters during the emergency vessel 
salvage operation.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under the authority in 46 
U.S.C. 70034. The COTP, Sector Maryland-NCR has determined that 
potential hazards associated with this operation starting on September 
27, 2024 will be a safety concern for anyone within a 1500-foot radius 
of the pollution response in the Patapsco River Entrance. This rule is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
navigable waters within the safety zone while the pollution response 
operations are being conducted.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from September 27, 2024, 
through October 3, 2024. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters within 1500-foot of the vessel, SSI DEFIANT, located at 39[deg] 
13.18N, 076[deg] 31.78W. This rule is necessary to ensure the safety of 
vessels and persons during the vessel salvage operation. This rule will 
prohibit persons or vessels from entering this zone unless specifically 
authorized by the COTP or a designated representative.
    The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control the 
movement of all vessels in the zone. 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 zone, citation for failure to comply, or both.

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. 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 proposed rulemaking. This safety zone would take 
place on a relatively small area of the Patapsco River and waters 
associated with Baltimore, MD, lasting from September 27, 2024 through 
October 3, 2024. Additionally, the Coast Guard would issue Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the safety zone 
so that waterway users may plan accordingly for transits during this 
restriction, and the rule will allow vessels to seek permission from 
the COTP Maryland-NCR or a designated representative to enter the zone.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, generally requires Federal agencies to review proposed and 
final rules for their potential economic impacts on small entities, 
including small businesses, and prepare regulatory flexibility 
analyses. 5 U.S.C. 603, 604. The RFA requires these analyses for any 
rule that is subject to notice and comment procedures under section 553 
of the Administrative Procedure Act. Id. As the Coast Guard has 
determined that notice and the opportunity to comment are unnecessary 
for this rule, the requirement for these analyses does not apply. 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

[[Page 80095]]

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 1500-
foot safety zone around the M/V SSI DEFIANT for less than 7 days. It is 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(c) of 
appendix A, table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.

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

0
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. 
0170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T05-0171 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0171   Safety Zone; Baltimore Harbor, MD

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters within 1500-feet of the location of the vessel SSI DEFIANT 
located at position 39[deg] 13.18N, 076[deg] 31.78W.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section is effective from September 
27, 2024, through October 3, 2024.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting through, or exiting 
from this area is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Maryland-NCR 
or a designated representative.
    (2) Vessels desiring to transit the regulated area may do so only 
with prior approval of the COTP Maryland-NCR or a designated 
representative and when so directed will be operated at a minimum safe 
navigation speed in a manner that will not endanger pollution response 
operations in the zone or any other vessels.
    (3) The COTP Maryland-NCR 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.
    (4) Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the 
COTP Maryland-NCR or a designated representative.
    (5) Persons or vessels seeking to enter or transit through the zone 
must request permission from the COTP Maryland-NCR or a designated 
representative. They may be contacted on VHF-FM channel 16 or by 
telephone at 410-576-2693.
    (6) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply 
with the instructions of the COTP Maryland-NCR or designated 
representative.
    (d) Informational broadcasts. The COTP Maryland-NCR or a designated 
representative will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners of the enforcement period for the temporary safety zone as 
well as any changes in the planned schedule.

    Dated: September 27, 2024.
Patrick C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-
National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2024-22720 Filed 10-1-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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