Document ID: USCG-2012-0223-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: NPRM:  Safety Zones: 2012 Ironman US Championship Swim, Hudson River, Fort Lee, NJ (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2012-06-11T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 112 (Monday, June 11, 2012)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 34285-34288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-14126]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0223]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; 2012 Ironman U.S. Championship Swim, Hudson River, 
Fort Lee, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone 
on the navigable waters of the Hudson River in the vicinity of 
Englewood Cliffs and Fort Lee, NJ for the 2012 Ironman U.S. 
Championship swim event. This temporary safety zone is necessary to 
protect the maritime public and event participants from the hazards 
associated with swim events. This proposed rule is intended to restrict 
all vessels and persons from entering into, transiting through, 
mooring, or anchoring within the safety zone unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port (COTP) New York or a designated representative.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before July 11, 2012.
    Requests for public meetings must be received by the Coast Guard on 
or before July 2, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2012-0223 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email Ensign Kimberly Farnsworth, Coast Guard; Telephone

[[Page 34286]]

(718) 354-4163, email Kimberly.A.Farnsworth@uscg.mil. If you have 
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee 
V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2012-0223), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online (via http://www.regulations.gov) or by fax, mail, or hand 
delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a 
comment online via www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received 
by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you 
fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as 
having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the 
Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and 
a mailing address, an email address, or a telephone number in the body 
of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become 
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu select 
``Proposed Rule'' and insert ``USCG-2012-0223'' in the ``Keyword'' box. 
Click ``Search'' then click on the balloon shape in the ``Actions'' 
column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit 
them in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable 
for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and 
would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a 
stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all 
comments and material received during the comment period and may change 
the rule based on your comments.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``read comments'' box, which will then become highlighted 
in blue. In the ``Keyword'' box insert ``USCG-2012-0223'' and click 
``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column. 
You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on 
the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an 
agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket 
Management Facility.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

Public Meeting

    We do not plan now to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one using one of the four methods specified under 
ADDRESSES. Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be 
beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will 
hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal 
Register.

Basis and Purpose

    The legal basis for the proposed rule is 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, 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland 
Security Delegation No. 0170.1, which collectively authorizes the Coast 
Guard to define regulatory safety zones.
    The COTP has determined that swim events in close proximity to 
marine traffic pose significant risk to public safety and property. The 
combination of increased numbers of recreation vessels, congested 
waterways, and large numbers of swimmers in the water has the potential 
to result in serious injuries or fatalities. In order to protect the 
safety of all waterway users including event participants and 
spectators, this proposed temporary rule would establish a temporary 
safety zone for the duration of the event.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    World Triathlon Corporation and New York City Triathlon is 
sponsoring the 2012 Ironman U.S. Championship that includes a 2.4 mile 
swim event in the Hudson River in the vicinity of Englewood Cliffs and 
Fort Lee, New Jersey. This swim event poses significant risk to 
participants, spectators, and the boating public because of the number 
of swimmers, kayakers, and recreational vessels that are expected in 
the area of this event.
    The swim event will take place from approximately 6:50 a.m. until 
9:40 a.m. on August 11, 2012. The proposed safety zone will be enforced 
from 6:00 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. on that day. During this time, there 
will be an estimated 2,500 swimmers in the water. Swimmers will enter 
the water via a spud barge in timed increments. The swim course is 
straight north to south, approximately 100 yards off of the New Jersey 
shoreline, west of the shipping channel, and will be designated with 
buoys every 100 meters.
    This rule is being proposed to provide for the safety of life on 
navigable waters during the event and to give the marine community the 
opportunity to comment on the proposed zone location, size, and length 
of time the zone will be activated.
    The final rule will not be published 30 days before the event and 
the effective date of this proposed rule as is generally required by 5 
U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The Coast Guard will accept comments on this 
shortened period and address them in the final rule.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Executive Order 12866 and Executive Order 13563

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, 
Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of 
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The 
Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order.
    This proposed safety zone will be of limited duration, at an off 
peak time, and vessels may transit in portions of the affected waterway 
except for those areas covered by the proposed regulated areas. 
Furthermore, vessels may be

[[Page 34287]]

authorized to transit this zone with the permission of the COTP New 
York or the designated representative.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 proposed 
rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. This proposed rule will affect the following 
entities, some of which may be small entities: The owners and operators 
of vessels intending to transit or anchor in the restricted portion of 
the Hudson River during the effective period.
    The safety zone will not have significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: Vessels 
will only be restricted from safety zone area for a short duration; 
vessels may transit in portions of the affected waterway except for 
those areas covered by the proposed regulated area; and notifications 
will be made to the local maritime community through the Local Notice 
to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners well in advance of the 
event.
    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.

Assistance for Small Entities

    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 proposed rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. 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 Ensign Kimberly Farnsworth, 
Coast Guard Sector New York Waterways Management Division; telephone 
718-354-4163, email Kimberly.A.Farnsworth@uscg.mil. The Coast Guard 
will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain 
about this proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.).

Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local 
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial 
direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this proposed rule 
under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications 
for federalism.

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 proposed rule would not 
result in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize 
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 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.

Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, 
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant 
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed 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 (NEPA) (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. A preliminary 
environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination is

[[Page 34288]]

available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. This proposed 
rule involves the establishment of a temporary safety zone on a portion 
of the Hudson River and appears to be categorically excluded, under 
figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), the Commandant Instruction.
    We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery 
of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREA

    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, 160.5; Pub. L. 
107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.

    2. Add Sec.  165.T01-0223 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T01-0223  Safety Zone; 2012 Ironman US Championship Swim, 
Hudson River, Fort Lee, NJ.

    (a) Regulated Area. All navigable waters of the Hudson River bound 
by a line drawn from the shoreline of the Palisades Interstate Parkway, 
approximately 2.8 NM North of the George Washington Bridge, Fort Lee, 
New Jersey, approximate position 40[deg]53'44.93'' N 073[deg]56'11.79'' 
W, east to a point 515 yards offshore, approximate position 
40[deg]53'40.00'' N 073[deg]55'53.00'' W, south to a position 242 yards 
offshore, approximate position 40[deg]51'30.00'' N 073[deg]57'09.00'' 
W, west to the south corner of Ross Dock, Fort Lee, New Jersey, 
approximate position 40[deg]51'33.77'' N 073[deg]57'16.00'' W, then 
back to the point of origin.
    (b) Effective Period. This rule will be effective from 6:00 a.m. to 
10:00 a.m. on August 11, 2012.
    (c) Regulations. (1) No vessels, except for participating safety 
vessels, will be allowed to transit the safety zone without the 
permission of the COTP.
    (2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or the designated representative. Upon being hailed by a U.S. 
Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the 
operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed.
    (3) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the 
regulated area shall contact the COTP or the designated representative 
via VHF channel 16 or 718-354-4353 (Coast Guard Sector New York Command 
Center) to obtain permission to do so.

    Dated: May 17, 2012.
G.P. Hitchen,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port New York.
[FR Doc. 2012-14126 Filed 6-8-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P