Document ID: USCG-2021-0607-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; South Timbalier Block 22, Gulf of Mexico, Port Fourchon, LA
Posted Date: 2021-08-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 146 (Tuesday, August 3, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41713-41715]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-16505]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0607]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; South Timbalier Block 22, Gulf of Mexico, Port 
Fourchon, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all navigable waters within a one nautical mile radius around a 
capsized vessel in the Gulf of Mexico, South Timbalier block 22, near 
Port Fourchon, LA. The temporary safety zone is needed to protect life 
and property during emergency salvage operations surrounding the 
capsized vessel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone and 
movement of vessels within this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Houma or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from August 3, 2021 
through December 31, 2021. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice will be used from August 2, 2021 until August 3, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0607 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 Commander Matthew M. Spolarich, Chief of Prevention, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 985-850-6437, email: 
Matthew.M.Spolarich@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 41714]]

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 it is impracticable. A safety zone is 
necessary to facilitate safe salvage operations surrounding a capsized 
vessel that has garnered high media interest and is in a location 
frequented by commercial and recreational vessel traffic. Immediate 
action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated 
with recovery salvage operations. We must establish this safety zone by 
August 2, 2021 and lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment 
period and then consider those comments before issuing the rule.
    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 contrary to the public interest because immediate 
action is needed to ensure the safety of vessels transiting the area 
and support continue ongoing recovery salvage operations.

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 Marine 
Safety Unit Houma (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the recovery salvage operations continuing through 
December 31, 2021, will be a safety concern for anyone within a one 
nautical mile radius around the capsized vessel in South Timbalier 
Block 22 of the Gulf of Mexico at position 29[deg]-00' 25.7877'' N, 
090[deg]-11' 52.9852'' W. This rule is needed to protect life and 
property on the navigable waters while recovery salvage operations are 
ongoing.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from August 2, 2021 
through December 31, 2021. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters within a one nautical mile radius around position 29-00' 
25.7877'' N, 090-11' 52.9852'' W, in South Timbalier Block 22 of the 
Gulf of Mexico, near Port Fouchon, LA. The duration of the zone is 
intended to protect life and property on these navigable waters for the 
duration of emergency recovery salvage operations related to the 
capsized vessel. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter and 
move within the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP 
or a designated representative. A designated representative is a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Marine Safety 
Unit Houma. Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be 
contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67. Persons and vessels permitted to 
enter or to move within this safety zone must transit at their slowest 
safe speed and comply with all lawful directions issued by the COTP or 
the designated representative. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement periods and changes through 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), 
and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.

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 limited scale 
of the safety zone and the ease of vessel traffic navigating around 
said 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 (Public Law 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

[[Page 41715]]

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 that will prohibit entry within a one nautical mile radius 
of vessels and machinery being used by personnel response operations to 
a capsized vessel. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph L60(d) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 
023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Record of Environmental Consideration 
supporting this determination is available in the docket. For 
instructions on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this 
preamble.

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.T08-0607 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0607  Safety Zone; South Timbalier Block 22, Gulf of 
Mexico, Port Fourchon, LA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within a one nautical mile radius of the capsized vessel and 
emergency response operations taking place at 29[deg]00'25.7877'' N, 
090[deg]11'52.9852'' W.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from August 2, 2021 
through December 31, 2021.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into or remaining within this zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety 
Unit (COTP) or designated representative. A designated representative 
is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Marine Safety 
Unit Houma.
    (2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be 
contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67 or by telephone at (985) 665-2437.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by COTP or the designated representative.
    (e) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this 
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices 
to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) 
as appropriate.

J.W. Russell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Unit 
Houma.
[FR Doc. 2021-16505 Filed 8-2-21; 8:45 am]
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