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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 4 (Tuesday, January 7, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1037-1039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-31671]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2024-1095]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Cypress Passage Overhead Powerline Demolition and 
Removal, Atchafalaya River, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters within a 500-yard radius of 29[deg]47'38.18'' N, 
91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5, on the Atchafalaya River, 
locally known as Cypress Passage, during an overhead electrical 
powerline structure demolition operation on Thursday, January 9, 2025. 
The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by the demolition of the 
powerline structures resulting in electrical powerlines on the 
navigational water's surface. Entry of vessels or persons into this 
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Marine Safety Unit Houma.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST) 
on Thursday, January 9, 2025, through 8 p.m. CST on Thursday, January 
9, 2025.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2024-1095 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 LCDR Justin Kimrey at telephone (985) 665-2449 or email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CST Central Standard Time
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
MM Mile Marker
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 under the 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 during the 12-hour 
overhead electrical powerline structure demolition the

[[Page 1038]]

electrical powerlines will be on top of the navigational water's 
surface, crossing the navigational channel and posing potential safety 
hazards to passing vessels. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM 
because we must establish this safety zone by January 9, 2025.
    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 because prompt action is needed to 
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with electrical 
powerlines crossing the navigational channel.

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 Houma (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the Cypress Passage overhead 
powerline demolition and removal occurring on January 9, 2025, will be 
a safety concern for anyone within a 500-yard radius of 
29[deg]47'38.18'' N, 91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5 on the 
Atchafalaya River, locally known as Cypress Passage. This rule is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
navigable waters within the safety zone while the electrical power 
lines are being removed from the navigational channel.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 8 a.m. through 8 p.m. on 
Thursday January 9, 2024. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters within a 500-yard radius of 29[deg]47'38.18'' N, 
91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5 on the Atchafalaya River, 
locally known as Cypress Passage. The duration of the zone is intended 
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these 
navigable waters while electrical power lines are being removed from 
the navigational water's surface during the demolition of overhead 
powerline structures along the navigational channel. No vessel or 
person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining 
permission from the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.

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 the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic 
will not be able to safely transit around this safety zone which would 
impact this designated area of the Atchafalaya River for 12 hours. The 
Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine 
channel 16 about the zone, and the rule would allow vessels to seek 
permission to enter the zone.

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

[[Page 1039]]

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 lasting only 12 hours that will prohibit entry within a 
500-yard radius of the demolition site of overhead electrical 
powerlines that will cross the navigational water's surface. 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.
    Accordingly, 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. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-1095 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-1095  Safety Zone; Cypress Passage overhead powerline 
demolition and removal, Atchafalaya River, LA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Atchafalaya River, locally known as Cypress Passage, from surface 
to bottom, within a 500-yard radius of 29[deg]47'38.18'' N, 
91[deg]21'50.52'' W, approximately MM 105.5, during an overhead 
electrical powerline structure demolition operation from 8 a.m. CST on 
Thursday January 9, 2025 through 8 p.m. CST on Thursday January 9, 
2025.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative 
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, 
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a 
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Houma (COTP) 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) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by hailing on VHF radio channels 13 or 16. Those in the 
safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to 
them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
CST on Thursday January 9, 2025, through 8 p.m. CST on Thursday January 
9, 2025.

    Dated: December 31, 2024.
Jason S. Franz,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit 
Houma.
[FR Doc. 2024-31671 Filed 1-6-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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