Document ID: USCG-2021-0034-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Duluth-Superior Harbor, Duluth, MN and Superior, WI
Posted Date: 2021-02-24T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 24, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11120-11122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03536]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0034]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Duluth-Superior Harbor, Duluth, MN and Superior, WI

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain waters of Duluth-Superior Harbor encompassed by a box from 
Connor's Point Marina in Superior, WI to Rice's Point in Duluth, MN and 
extending 100 yards from four (4) barges placed across the waterway. 
This action is necessary to protect the safety of life on these 
navigable waters of Duluth-Superior Harbor near the Blatnik Bridge for 
an extreme sports event. This rulemaking would prohibit persons, 
vehicles, and vessels from entering, transiting, or anchoring in the 
safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Duluth or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective February 24, 2021 through March 5, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0034 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 about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email LT Abbie Lyons, Chief, Incident 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 218-725-3818, email 
Abbie.E.Lyons@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
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 because the temporary rule takes place after 
the closure of the Sault Saint Marie Locks on a frozen waterway with no 
anticipated vessel traffic. Further, delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable because immediate action is needed to 
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the events 
taking place during Red Bull's filming of the snowmachine stunts across 
the waterway.
    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. For the same reasons discussed in 
the preceeding paragraph, waiting for a 30-day notice period to run 
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.

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 Duluth 
(COTP) has determined that this rule is necessary to protect the safety 
of people, vessels, vehicles, and the navigable waters within the 
safety zone immediately before, during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The COTP establishing a safety zone from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. 
daily from February 25, 2021 through March 5, 2021. The safety zone 
covers all navigable waters from Connor's Point Marina, along the 
Blatnik Bridge (Interstate 535 Bridge) to Rice's Point Landing, 
extending 100 yards on either side of the barges along the waterway. 
The duration of the zone is intended to protect the safety of persons, 
vehicles, vessels, and these navigable waters immediately before, 
during, and after the scheduled event. No vessel, vehicle, or person 
would 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

[[Page 11121]]

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. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This NPRM has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. There is no 
expected vessel traffic on Lake Superior due to the closure of the 
Sault Saint Marie Locks and buildup of ice. Moreover, the Coast Guard 
would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 
about the zone, and under certain conditions, the rule would allow 
vessels to transit to seek permission to enter the zone from the COTP 
or a designated representative.

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 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    There is no expected vessel traffic on Lake Superior due to the 
closure of the Sault Saint Marie Locks and buildup of ice, so there 
this proposed rule would 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 
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 proposed rule 
involves a safety zone lasting four hours over six consecutive days 
that would prohibit entry within 100 yards of the barges alongside 
Blatnik Bridge (Interstate 535 Bridge). Normally such actions are 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of 
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. We 
seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a 
significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.

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 is 
proposing to amend 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.T09-0034 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T09-0034  Safety Zone; Duluth-Superior Harbor, Duluth, MN and 
Superior, WI.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
Duluth-Superior Harbor, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a box 
from Connor's Point Marina in Superior, WI to Rice's

[[Page 11122]]

Point in Duluth, MN extending 100 yards from the four (4) barges placed 
across the waterway.
    (b) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within 
this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port (COTP) Duluth or a designated on-scene representative.
    (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the COTP Duluth or a designated on-scene 
representative.
    (3) The ``on-scene representative'' of the COTP Duluth is any Coast 
Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been designated by 
the COTP Duluth to act on his behalf.
    (4) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP Duluth or the 
COTP Duluth's representative by contacting Station Duluth at 218-529-
3100. 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.
    (c) Enforcement periods. This section will be enforced from 9 a.m. 
through 4 p.m. daily from February 25, 2021 through March 5, 2021.

    Dated: February 17, 2021.
Frances M. Smith,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Duluth.
[FR Doc. 2021-03536 Filed 2-23-21; 8:45 am]
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