8646 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 34 / Monday, February 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND 

SECURITY 

Coast Guard 

33 CFR Part 165 

[Docket Number–USCG–2014–0995] 

RIN 1625–AA87 

Moving Security Zone; Escorted 

Vessels; MM 90.0–106.0, Lower 

Mississippi River; New Orleans, LA 

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. 

ACTION: Interim rule. 

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is 

establishing an interim rule, providing 

for temporary moving security zones 

around vessels being escorted by one or 

more Coast Guard or other Federal, 

State, or local law enforcement assets, 

on the navigable waters of the Lower 

Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA. 

This rule follows the interim rule that 

published in the Federal Register on 

February 5, 2015, re-establishing the 

same moving security zone regulations 

necessary for the safe transit and 

mooring of vessels requiring escort 

protection by the Coast Guard for 

security reasons as well as the safety 

and security of personnel and port 

facilities. Entry into, remaining in or 

transiting through these zones is 

prohibited for all vessels, mariners, and 

persons unless specifically authorized 

by the Captain of the Port New Orleans 

or a designated representative. The 

Coast Guard seeks comments on this 

interim rule specific to making this rule 

a permanent final rule. 

DATES: This rule is effective without 

actual notice from February 22, 2016. 

For the purposes of enforcement, actual 

notice will be used from December 30, 

2015 until February 22, 2016. 

Comments and related material must be 

received by the Coast Guard on or before 

April 22, 2016. 

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments 

identified by docket number [USCG– 

2014–0995] using the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal at http://

www.regulations.gov. See the ‘‘Public 

Participation and Request for 

Comments’’ portion of the 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for 

further instructions on submitting 

comments. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If 

you have questions on this interim rule, 

call or email Commander (CDR) Kelly 

Denning, Sector New Orleans, U.S. 

Coast Guard; telephone (504) 365–2391, 

email Kelly.K.Denning@uscg.mil. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Acronyms 

AHP Above Head of Passes 

CFR Code of Federal Regulation 

COTP Captain of the Port 

DHS Department of Homeland Security 

E.O. Executive order 

FR Federal Register 

MM Mile Marker 

NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

Pub. L. Public Law 

§ Section 

U.S.C. United States Code 

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal 

Basis 

On a routine basis, the Coast Guard 

previously established similar 

temporary moving security zones 

around escorted vessels as temporary 

final rules (TFR) for the Lower 

Mississippi River. Those TFRs are 

accessible as explained above under 

ADDRESSES, [Docket Number USCG– 

2013–0994, 79 FR 7587, Feb. 10, 2014 

and Docket Number USCG–2011–1063, 

77 FR 30402, May 23, 2012]. There is a 

difference in the size of the moving 

security zones previously established 

through those TFRs. Docket USCG– 

2013–0994 established a 100 yard zone 

and Docket USCG–2011–1063 

established a 300 yard zone. 

The Coast Guard preceded this rule 

with another interim rule with request 

for comments. Based on the quality of 

communication and additional time 

allowed to grant permission to deviate 

from the rules, the Coast Guard utilized 

the 300 yard zone for the previous 

interim rule. On February 5, 2015, the 

previous interim rule was published in 

the Federal Register (80 FR 6448). That 

interim rule was effective from January 

31, 2015 through July 1, 2015 without 

prior notice through publication in the 

Federal Register, but also requested 

comments. The Coast Guard received no 

comments on that interim rule and no 

requests for public meetings. No public 

meetings were held. This rule reestablishes the previous interim rule 

without changes with one exception in 

the form of a technical revision which 

is discussed in section III of this 

document below. 

Through the previous interim rule, 

the Coast Guard enforced temporary 

moving security zones around vessels 

being escorted by one or more Coast 

Guard or other Federal, State, or local 

law enforcement assets on the navigable 

waters of the Lower Mississippi River 

between river miles 90.0 to 106.0 Above 

Head of Passes (AHP), New Orleans, LA. 

Once in effect, the specific enforcement 

dates and times for a temporary moving 

security zone around an escorted vessel 

were noticed through broadcast notices 

to mariners. The Coast Guard did not 

receive any feedback causing us to 

believe the public opposes restrictions 

in future years to continue facilitating 

safe navigation and commerce during 

times of increased activity on and 

around the waterway. 

The legal basis and authorities for this 

rule are found in 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 

U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.04–1, 

6.04–6, and 160.5; and Department of 

Homeland Security Delegation No. 

0170.1, which collectively authorize the 

Coast Guard to establish and define 

regulatory security zones. The purpose 

of this rule is to provide enhanced 

protections related to escorted vessels 

transiting through the Lower 

Mississippi River between river miles 

90.0 to 106.0 AHP during times of 

increased activity on and around the 

waterway. During these times, certain 

vessels, including high capacity 

passenger vessels, vessels carrying 

dignitaries or VIPs, vessels carrying 

certain dangerous cargoes as defined in 

33 CFR part 60, tank vessels constructed 

to carry oil or hazardous materials in 

bulk, and vessels carrying liquefied 

hazardous gas as defined in 33 CFR part 

127 have been deemed by the COTP 

New Orleans to require escort 

protection. 

As an additional protective measure 

for all those transiting the waterway 

during a vessel’s escort, the Coast Guard 

will establish temporary moving 

security zones restricting navigation in 

portions of the Lower Mississippi River 

between river miles 90.0 to 106.0 AHP 

to provide both waterway and waterside 

security and protection. These security 

zones are necessary to protect life and 

property, surrounding and including 

escorted vessels and their personnel 

from destruction, loss or injury from 

sabotage or other subversive acts, 

accidents or other causes of a similar 

nature. This rule enables the COTP New 

Orleans to provide effective port 

security. This rule is also intended to 

minimize confusion and reduce 

administrative burdens related to 

implementing multiple individual 

temporary rulemakings for each security 

zone related to an escorted vessel. 

The Coast Guard is issuing this 

interim rule without prior notice 

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 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 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 34 / Monday, February 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 8647 

rule. Minimal notice regarding vessel 

escort operations is customary for 

security purposes. Based on risk 

evaluations completed, and information 

gathered after evaluating the security 

needs for escorted vessels during a 

period of high activity on and around 

the waterway, the Coast Guard 

determined that moving security zones 

are required. These moving security 

zones are needed to protect life and 

property, surrounding and including 

escorted vessels and their personnel 

from destruction, loss, or injury from 

sabotage or other subversive acts, 

accidents, or other causes of a similar 

nature during vessel escort operations. 

The NPRM process would be contrary to 

public interest by delaying the effective 

date or foregoing the necessary 

protections required for persons and 

property, surrounding and including 

escorted vessels and their personnel. 

Immediate action for each vessel escort 

and security zone is necessary to 

provide both waterway and waterside 

security and protection for life and 

property, surrounding and including 

escorted vessels and their personnel on 

the Lower Mississippi River. The Coast 

Guard finds that good cause exists for 

making this interim rule effective less 

than 30 days after publication in the 

Federal Register under 5 U.S.C. 

553(d)(3). Delaying the effective date of 

this rule is unnecessary. From January 

31, 2015 to July 1, 2015, the previous 

interim rule was in effect and public 

comments were requested. No public 

comments or requests for public 

meetings were received during the 

effective period. External outreach to 

port and waterways stakeholders 

confirmed no opposition to the interim 

rule as published. As no substantive 

changes have been made to this interim 

rule, delaying the effective date of the 

rule is unnecessary. 

III. Discussion of Interim Rule 

Through this interim rule, the Coast 

Guard is re-establishing temporary 

moving security zones as previously 

established under 33 CFR 165.843, 

published in the Federal Register on 

February 5, 2015 (80 FR 6448). As 

provided in the previous rule, the COTP 

New Orleans will enforce temporary 

moving security zones related to 

escorted vessels. Each security zone will 

extend 300 yards in all directions from 

the escorted vessel as it transits the 

Lower Mississippi River between river 

miles 90.0 to 106.0 AHP. Persons and 

vessels are prohibited from entering, 

remaining in or transiting through the 

security zone surrounding escorted 

vessels, unless authorized by the Coast 

Guard COTP New Orleans or a COTP 

designated representative. A vessel may 

request permission from the COTP New 

Orleans or the on-scene Coast Guard or 

enforcement agency asset to deviate 

from the requirements of this rule. 

Deviations from this rule may be 

requested from the COTP New Orleans 

through the on-scene Coast Guard or 

enforcement agency asset, via VHF Ch. 

16 or 67. If permitted to enter the 

security zone or deviate from this rule, 

a vessel must proceed at the minimum 

safe speed possible for safe navigation 

and must comply with all orders issued 

by the COTP New Orleans or the onscene asset. Vessels permitted to deviate 

from this rule and transit through the 

security zone shall maintain a distance 

of at least 50 yards from the escorted 

vessel. 

An escorted vessel is a vessel, other 

than a large U.S. naval vessel as defined 

in 33 CFR 165.2015, that is 

accompanied by one or more Coast 

Guard assets or other Federal, State or 

local law enforcement agency assets, 

clearly identifiable by flashing lights, 

vessel markings, or with agency insignia 

as listed below: Coast Guard surface or 

air asset displaying the Coast Guard 

insignia; Federal, State and/or local law 

enforcement asset displaying the 

applicable agency markings and/or 

equipment associated with the agency. 

In addition to the presence of these 

law enforcement assets for escorted 

vessels, the COTP New Orleans or a 

designated representative will inform 

the public through a broadcast notice to 

mariners that a temporary moving 

security zone is in effect around the 

escorted vessel. The broadcast notice to 

mariners of each temporary moving 

security zone concerning escorted 

vessels will inform the public of the 

enforcement period, size of the zone, 

and the navigable waters that will be 

affected. The broadcast notice will 

normally be issued at approximately 30- 

minute intervals while the temporary 

moving security zone restrictions 

remain in effect. 

The previous interim rule also 

requested comments. No comments 

were received. No changes to the 

restrictions or regulations of the rule 

have been made from the previous 

interim rule. One technical amendment 

is being made to the rule. As previously 

published, paragraph (d) read ‘‘Security 

Zone: A temporary moving security 

zone, extending 300 yards in all 

directions of an escorted vessel, will be 

established around each escorted vessel 

within the regulated area described in 

paragraph (b) of this section. The 

security zone will not extend beyond 

the boundary of the regulated area in 

this section.’’ In this interim rule, this 

section is changed to reflect the 

appropriate paragraph referenced for the 

description of the regulated area, which 

is paragraph (c) of the regulation. 

Paragraph (d) reads as follows; ‘‘Security 

Zone: A temporary moving security 

zone, extending 300 yards in all 

directions of an escorted vessel, will be 

established around each escorted vessel 

within the regulated area described in 

paragraph (c) of this section. The 

security zone will not extend beyond 

the boundary of the regulated area in 

this section.’’ 

IV. Regulatory Analyses 

We developed this rule after 

considering numerous statutes and 

executive orders (E.O.s) related to 

rulemaking. Below we summarize our 

analyses based on a number of these 

statutes and E.O.s, and we discuss First 

Amendment rights of protestors. 

A. Regulatory Planning and Review 

E.O.s 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. E.O. 13563 emphasizes the 

importance of quantifying both costs 

and benefits, of reducing costs, of 

harmonizing rules, and of promoting 

flexibility. This interim rule has not 

been designated a ‘‘significant 

regulatory action,’’ under E.O. 12866. 

Accordingly, the interim rule has not 

been reviewed by the Office of 

Management and Budget. 

This interim rule is not a significant 

regulatory action because each 

individual temporary moving security 

zone enforced under this rule will be in 

effect for short periods of time and 

notifications to the marine community 

will be made through broadcast notices 

to mariners. Deviation from this rule 

may be requested and will be 

considered on a case-by-case basis by 

the COTP New Orleans or the on-scene 

Coast Guard or enforcement agency 

asset. Approved deviations will allow 

other vessels transiting the area to 

transit through the security zone, 

maintaining a distance of at least 50 

yards from the escorted vessel. 

Additionally, the security zones are 

located within the New Orleans Harbor 

Vessel Service Area where vessels are 

required to check in when entering the 

area or departing berth. This check in 

requirement can assist in early review 

and granting of permission to deviate 

from this rule. Therefore, the impacts on 

routine navigation are expected to be 

minimal. 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

8648 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 34 / Monday, February 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 

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 would not have a 

significant economic impact on a 

substantial number of small entities. 

This rule will affect the following 

entities, some of which may be small 

entities: The owners or operators of 

vessels, intending to transit in the 

vicinity of escorted vessels between 

river miles 90.0 and 106.0 AHP of the 

Lower Mississippi River. This rule will 

not have significant impact on a 

substantial number of small entities 

because the zones will be of limited 

sizes, encompassing the escorted vessel, 

of short durations and notifications to 

the marine community will be made 

through broadcast notices to mariners. 

In some cases, the security zones will 

leave ample space for vessels to navigate 

around them. If not, and security 

conditions permit, the COTP will 

attempt to provide flexibility for 

individual vessels to transit through the 

zones as needed. Deviation from this 

rule may be requested and will be 

considered on a case-by-case basis by 

the COTP or the on-scene Coast Guard 

or enforcement agency asset. Approved 

deviations will allow other vessels 

transiting the area to transit through the 

security zone, maintaining a distance of 

at least 50 yards from the escorted 

vessel. Additionally, the security zones 

are located within the New Orleans 

Harbor Vessel Service Area where 

vessels are required to check in when 

entering the area or departing berth. 

This check-in requirement can assist in 

early review and granting of permission 

to deviate from the rule. 

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. 

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 contact the person 

listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

CONTACT section. 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 would 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 E.O. 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 

E.O. 13132. 

Also, this rule does not have tribal 

implications under E.O. 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. If you 

believe this rule has implications for 

federalism or Indian tribes, please 

contact the person listed in the FOR

FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section 

above. 

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 

Management Directive 023–01 and 

Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, 

which guide the Coast Guard in 

complying with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (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. This rule involves 

temporary moving security zones that 

prohibit persons and vessels from 

entering, remaining in or transiting 

through the security zone surrounding 

escorted vessels as they transit within 

the navigable waters of the Lower 

Mississippi between river miles 90.0 to 

106.0 AHP, unless authorized by the 

Coast Guard COTP or a COTP 

designated representative. This rule is 

categorically excluded from further 

review under paragraph (34)(g) of Figure 

2–1 of Commandant Instruction 

M16475.lD. An environmental analysis 

checklist supporting this determination 

and a Categorical Exclusion 

Determination are available in the 

docket where indicated under 

ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or 

information that may lead to the 

discovery of a significant environmental 

impact from this rule. 

G. Protest Activities 

The Coast Guard respects the First 

Amendment rights of protesters. 

Protesters are asked to contact 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. 

V. Public Participation and Request for 

Comments 

We view public participation as 

essential to effective rulemaking, and 

will consider all comments and material 

received during the comment period. 

Your comment can help shape the 

outcome of this rulemaking. We 

specifically seek comments regarding 

making this interim rule a permanent 

final rule in its current form for 2016 

and as it was effective between January 

and July of 2015. If you submit a 

comment, please include the docket 

number for this rulemaking, indicate the 

specific section of this document to 

which each comment applies, and 

provide a reason for each suggestion or 

recommendation. 

We encourage you to submit 

comments through the Federal 

eRulemaking Portal at http://

www.regulations.gov. If your material 

cannot be submitted using http://

www.regulations.gov, contact the person 

in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES

Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 34 / Monday, February 22, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 8649 

CONTACT section of this document for 

alternate instructions. 

We accept anonymous comments. All 

comments received will be posted 

without change to http://

www.regulations.gov and will include 

any personal information you have 

provided. For more about privacy and 

the docket, you may review a Privacy 

Act notice regarding the Federal Docket 

Management System in the March 24, 

2005, issue of the Federal Register (70 

FR 15086). 

Documents mentioned in this rule as 

being available in the docket, and all 

public comments, will be in our online 

docket at http://www.regulations.gov 

and can be viewed by following that 

Web site’s instructions. Additionally, if 

you go to the online docket and sign up 

for email alerts, you will be notified 

when comments are posted or a final 

rule is published. 

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 22 

CFR part 165 to read 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 § 165.843 to read as follows: 

§ 165.843 Moving Security Zone; Escorted 

Vessels; Lower Mississippi River; New 

Orleans, LA. 

(a) Definitions. The following 

definitions apply to this section: 

COTP means Captain of the Port New 

Orleans, LA. 

Designated representatives means 

Coast Guard Patrol Commanders 

including Coast Guard coxswains, petty 

officers and other officers operating 

Coast Guard vessels, and Federal, State, 

and local officers designated by or 

assisting the COTP, in the enforcement 

of the security zone. 

Escorted vessel means a vessel, other 

than a large U.S. naval vessel as defined 

in 33 CFR 165.2015, that is 

accompanied by one or more Coast 

Guard assets or other Federal, State or 

local law enforcement agency assets 

clearly identifiable by flashing lights, 

vessel markings, or with agency insignia 

as follows: Coast Guard surface or air 

asset displaying the Coast Guard 

insignia. State and/or local law 

enforcement asset displaying the 

applicable agency markings and/or 

equipment associated with the agency. 

Minimum safe speed for navigation 

means the speed at which a vessel 

proceeds when it is fully off plane, 

completely settled in the water and not 

creating excessive wake or surge. Due to 

the different speeds at which vessels of 

different sizes and configurations may 

travel while in compliance with this 

definition, no specific speed is assigned 

to a minimum safe speed for navigation. 

In no instance should minimum safe 

speed be interpreted as a speed less than 

that required for a particular vessel to 

maintain steerageway. A vessel is not 

proceeding at minimum safe speed if it 

is: 

(i) On a plane; 

(ii) In the process of coming up, onto 

or coming off a plane; or 

(iii) Creating an excessive wake or 

surge. 

(b) Regulated area. All navigable 

waters, as defined in 33 CFR 2.36, on 

the Lower Mississippi River between 

river miles 90.0 to 106.0 Above Head of 

Passes (AHP), New Orleans, Louisiana. 

(c) Security zone. A temporary 

moving security zone, extending 300 

yards in all directions of an escorted 

vessel, will be established around each 

escorted vessel within the regulated area 

described in paragraph (b) of this 

section. The security zone will not 

extend beyond the boundary of the 

regulated area in this section. 

(d) Notice of security zone. The COTP 

will inform the public of the existence 

or status of any temporary moving 

security zones around escorted vessels 

in the regulated area by broadcast 

notices to mariners. The broadcast 

notice to mariners will inform the 

public of the enforcement period, size of 

the zone, and the navigable waters that 

will be affected, and will normally be 

issued at approximately 30-minute 

intervals while the moving security 

zone remains in effect. Escorted vessels 

will be identified by the presence of 

Coast Guard assets or other Federal, 

State or local law enforcement agency 

assets clearly identified by flashing 

lights, vessel markings, or agency 

insignia. 

(e) Regulations. (1) In accordance with 

the general regulations in § 165.33 of 

subpart D of this part, no person or 

vessel may enter or remain in a security 

zone without the permission of the 

Captain of the Port. Section 165.33 also 

contains other general requirements. 

(2) Vessels may request permission 

from the Captain of the Port New 

Orleans through the on-scene Coast 

Guard or other agency asset to enter the 

security zone described in paragraph (c) 

of this section. 

(i) If permission to enter and transit 

through the security zone is granted, the 

vessel shall operate at the minimum 

speed necessary to maintain a safe 

course, unless required to maintain 

speed by the Navigation Rules, and 

must proceed as directed by the COTP 

or a designated representative. When 

within the security zone, no vessel or 

person is allowed within 50 yards of the 

escorted vessel unless authorized by the 

Coast Guard. 

(ii) [Reserved] 

(f) Contact information. The COTP 

New Orleans may be reached via phone 

at (504) 365–2200. Any on-scene Coast 

Guard or designated representative 

assets may be reached via VHF–FM 

channel 16 or 67. 

Dated: December 30, 2015. 

W.R. Arguin, 

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain 

of the Port New Orleans. 

[FR Doc. 2016–02282 Filed 2–19–16; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 9110–04–P 

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 

Copyright Royalty Board 

37 CFR Part 351 

[Docket No. 15–CRB–0012 RM] 

Proceedings of the Copyright Royalty 

Board; Technical Amendment 

AGENCY: Copyright Royalty Board, 

Library of Congress. 

ACTION: Final rule; technical 

amendment. 

SUMMARY: The Copyright Royalty Judges 

are adopting a technical amendment to 

a Copyright Royalty Board rule 

regarding participation in distribution 

proceedings. The technical amendment 

updates the threshold requirement for 

payment of a filing fee to conform the 

rule to a statutory provision. 

DATES: Effective February 22, 2016. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

LaKeshia Keys (202) 707–7658 or email 

at crb@loc.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On 

October 6, 2006, Congress enacted the 

Copyright Royalty Judges Program 

Technical Corrections Act. Public Law 

109–303, 120 Stat. 1478 (2006). Among 

other things, the Technical Corrections 

Act changed Section 803(b)(2)(D)(ii)(II) 

of the Copyright Act, which requires 

parties that wish to participate in a 

Copyright Royalty Board royalty 

distribution proceeding to pay a $150 

mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with RULES