Document ID: USCG-2021-0891-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Haro Strait, San Juan County, WA
Posted Date: 2021-12-02T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 229 (Thursday, December 2, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 68407-68409]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-26157]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0891]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Haro Strait, San Juan County, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

[[Page 68408]]

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary moving safety zone 
for navigable waters within a 500-yard radius around the ZIM KINGSTON. 
The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from the potential hazards associated with the vessel 
transit. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Puget 
Sound.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from December 2, 
2021 through 9 a.m. on December 6, 2021. For purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from 10 a.m. on November 24, 2021 until 
December 2, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0891 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Peter McAndrew, Sector Puget Sound Waterways 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 206-217-6045, email 
[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

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule without prior notice 
and opportunity to comment 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 and 
opportunity to comment 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 rule, as the Coast Guard received initial 
notification on October 31, 2021 of an anticipated vessel transit from 
Victoria, BC to Vancouver, BC through US Waters by the ZIM KINGSTON. On 
or around October 21, 2021, the ZIM KINGSTON lost containers overboard 
and two containers subsequently caught on fire and may contain toxic 
flammable gas or other hazardous materials. Immediate action is needed 
to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the ZIM 
KINGSTON's transit. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM for this 
temporary rule because the safety zone must be established by November 
24, 2021 to protect waterway users.
    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 immediate action is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the 
potential hazards associated with the vessel transit of the ZIM 
KINGSTON.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port (COTP) Puget 
Sound has determined that potential hazards associated with the transit 
of the ZIM KINGSTON will be a safety concern for anyone within a 500-
yard radius of the vessel. This rule is needed to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the 
safety zone during the transit.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 10 a.m. November 24, 2021 
through 9 a.m. December 6, 2021. The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters within 500 yards of the ZIM KINGSTON. The duration of 
the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment in these navigable waters while the vessel is in transit. 
No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a 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 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 the fact that the 
safety zone created by this rule is limited in size and duration. 
Vessel traffic would be able to safely transit around this safety zone. 
Moreover, the Coast Guard would 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

[[Page 68409]]

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 
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 for navigable waters within a 500-yard radius around the 
ZIM KINGSTON between 10 a.m. November 24, 2021 through 9 a.m. December 
6, 2021. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and 
the marine environment from the potential hazards associated with the 
vessel transit. It is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph L[60] 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.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T13-0891 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T13-0891  Safety Zone; Haro Strait, San Juan County, WA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a moving safety zone: All 
navigable waters within a 500-yard radius around the ZIM KINGSTON.
    (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 Puget Sound (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 VHF Channel 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 rule will be enforced from 10 a.m. 
November 24, 2021, through 9 a.m. December 6, 2021.

    Dated: November 24, 2021.
C.R. Cederholm,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting, Captain of the Port Puget Sound.
[FR Doc. 2021-26157 Filed 12-1-21; 8:45 am]
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