Document ID: USCG-2020-0058-0004
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Monongahela River Mile 23.8 to Mile 26.0, Pittsburgh, PA
Posted Date: 2020-03-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 59 (Thursday, March 26, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17030-17032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-06243]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2020-0058]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Monongahela River Mile 23.8 to Mile 26.0, 
Pittsburgh, PA

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 of the Monongahela River from mile 23.8 to mile 
26.0. This action is necessary to protect persons, vessels, and the 
marine environment from potential hazards associated with power line 
work across the river near Elrama Power Plant, Pittsburgh, PA, during 
an electrical conductor pull from March 23, 2020 through April 6, 2020. 
Entry of persons or vessels into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh or 
a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from March 26, 2020 
through April 6, 2020. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from March 23, 2020 through March 26, 2020.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2020-0058 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 MST2 Trevor Vannatta, Waterways Management U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone 412-221-0807, email Trevor.J.Vannatta@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh
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

    On November 12, 2019, the Duquesne Light Company notified the Coast 
Guard that it will be conducting an electrical conductor pull on March 
23, 2020, in order to replace existing electrical conductor with new 
higher ampacity electrical conductor. The conductor pull will take 
place between mile 23.8 and mile 26 on the Elrama Power Plant side of 
the Monongahela River. In response, on February 3, 2020, the Coast 
Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled USCG-
2020-0058_NPRM_D8 (85 FR 5909). There we stated why we issued the NPRM, 
and invited comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this 
conductor pull project. During the comment period that ended March 4, 
2020, we received no comments.

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 Pittsburgh 
(COTP) has determined that potential hazards from the conductor pull 
include danger to the navigability of the waterway due to obstruction 
by equipment. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh has determined that potential hazards associated with 
ongoing work would be a safety concern for anyone transiting the river 
during the maintenance activity. Possible hazards include risks of 
injury or death from near or actual contact among working vessels and 
mariners traversing through the safety zone.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM published 
February 3, 2020. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this 
rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone from March 23, 2020 through 
April 6, 2020. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters from 
mile 23.8 to mile 26.0 on the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, PA. 
The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels 
and these navigable waters before, during, and after a scheduled 
maintenance activity at the Elrama Power Plant. No vessel or person 
would be permitted to enter 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 Pittsburgh. They may be contacted on VHF-FM Channel 
16 or by telephone at (412) 221-0807. Persons and vessels permitted to 
enter this safety zone must transit at their slowest safe speed and 
comply with all lawful instructions of the COTP or a designated 
representative. Breaks in the conductor pull will occur during the 
enforcement periods, which will allow vessels to pass through the 
safety zone. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the 
public of the enforcement period for the safety zone as well as any 
changes in the schedule 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. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. 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), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.

[[Page 17031]]

    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. The zone will impact a 2.2 
mile stretch of the Monongahela River and only be enforced during 
active maintenance periods, and vessel traffic would be able to safely 
transit around the 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 received 0 comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. 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 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 from mile 23.8 to mile 26.0 on the Monongahela River near 
Pittsburgh, PA from March 23, 2020 through April 6, 2020. It is 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) 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.T08-0058 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0058  Safety Zone; Monongahela, Mile 23.8 to Mile 26.0, 
Pittsburgh, PA

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Monongahela River from mile 23.8 to mile 26.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from March 23, 2020 
through April 6, 2020.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry of persons and vessels into this zone is prohibited 
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated representative.
    (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the 
zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. The COTP's representative may be contacted at (412) 
221-0807 or on VHF-FM Channel 16.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or a designated representative.

[[Page 17032]]

Designated COTP representatives include United States Coast Guard 
commissioned, warrant, and petty officer.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs), 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information 
Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate.

    Dated: March 20, 2020.
A.W. Demo,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2020-06243 Filed 3-25-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P