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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 29 (Thursday, February 13, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9516-9518]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2025-02578]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2025-0128]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Potomac River, District of Columbia

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
waters between the 14th Street Bridge to the north and the Woodrow 
Wilson Bridge to the south. The safety zone is needed to protect the 
public and vessels from potential hazards created by an aircraft 
collision on the Potomac River. Additionally, the safety zone is needed 
to ensure a safe working environment for the first responders and dive 
teams from 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 (NCR) or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from February 7, 2025, to February 21, 
2025. For purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2025-0128 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, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
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

    On January 29, 2025, at approximately 9:00 p.m., a regional jet 
collided midair with a Black Hawk helicopter and landed in the Potomac 
River near

[[Page 9517]]

Reagan Washington National Airport. Search and rescue and salvage 
operations involving first responders began shortly following the 
accident.
    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 immediate action is 
necessary due to the urgency of the emergency situation and the need to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential 
hazards associated with salvage operations including debris, jet fuel, 
cold temperatures, and response equipment and vessels. It is 
impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety 
zone immediately on February 7, 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 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 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 rescue and salvage operation 
starting on February 7, 2025, will be a safety concern for anyone 
between the 14th Street Bridge and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. This rule 
is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in 
the navigable waters within the safety zone from potential hazards 
while the vessel salvage operations are being conducted.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from February 7, 2025, through 
February 21, 2025. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters 
between the 14th Street Bridge, 38[deg]52.45' N, 077[deg]02.6' W to 
38[deg]52.62' N, 077[deg]02.28' W and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, from 
38[deg]51.5' N, 077[deg]01.53' W to 38[deg]48.55' N, 077[deg]01.59' W, 
on the Potomac River. This rule is necessary to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters during 
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. 
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 temporary safety zone. This safety zone would take 
place on a relatively small area of the Potomac River lasting from 
February 7, 2025, through February 21, 2025. Additionally, the Coast 
Guard would issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners via VHF-FM marine 
channel 16 announcing 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, 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,

[[Page 9518]]

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 
temporary safety zone on the Potomac River lasting less than 7 days 
that will prohibit entry into a portion of the Potomac River near 
Washington, DC. This is necessary to respond to the potential safety 
hazards associated with the salvage of an aircraft collision. 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; 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.T05-0128 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T05-0128  Safety Zone Potomac River, District of Columbia.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters between the 14th Street Bridge, from 38[deg]52.45' N, 
077[deg]02.6' W to 38[deg]52.62' N, 077[deg]02.28' W to the Woodrow 
Wilson Bridge, from 38[deg]51.5' N, 077[deg]01.53' W to 38[deg]48.55' 
N, 077[deg]01.59' W, on the Potomac River.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section is effective from February 7, 
2025, through February 21, 2025.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, 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 salvage 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: February 6, 2025.
Patrick C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-
National Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2025-02578 Filed 2-12-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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