Document ID: USCG-2016-0370-0002
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Annual Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim, Columbia River, Hood River, OR
Posted Date: 2016-08-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 151 (Friday, August 5, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51801-51802]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-18589]

[[Page 51801]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0370]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Annual Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim, Columbia 
River, Hood River, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the Columbia 
River in Hood River, OR. This safety zone is necessary to help ensure 
the safety of the maritime public during a cross channel swim and will 
do so by prohibiting unauthorized persons and vessels from entering the 
safety zone unless authorized by the Sector Columbia River Captain of 
the Port or his designated representatives.

DATES: This rule is effective on September 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0370 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 Ken Lawrenson, Waterways Management Division, Marine 
Safety Unit Portland, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 503-240-9319, email 
msupdxwwm@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

    On April 20, 2016, the Hood River County Chamber of Commerce 
notified the Coast Guard that it will be conducting a cross-channel 
swim on the Columbia River in Hood River, OR for the Annual Roy Webster 
Cross-Channel Swim. In response, on May 16, 2016 the Coast Guard 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled Safety Zone; 
Annual Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim, Columbia River, Hood River, OR 
(81 FR 30503). There we stated why we issued the NPRM, and invited 
comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this marine 
event. During the comment period that ended on June 16, 2016 we 
received no comments.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with cross-channel swims 
could be a safety concern for the event participants, any other 
mariners transiting the area during the event hours, and a potential 
threat to the marine environment. The purpose of this rule is to ensure 
the safety of event participants, the marine environment and the 
protection of the navigable waterway before, during, and after the 
scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM published May 
16, 2016. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from 
the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone that will be enforced from 6 
a.m. to noon on Labor Day each year. The safety zone will encompass all 
navigable waters of the Columbia River between River Mile 169 and River 
Mile 170. The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of 
vessels, participants and these navigable waters before, during, and 
after the scheduled cross-channel swim. 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. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing 
rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has not been designated 
a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, short duration, and the event's long history. Commercial 
vessel traffic will be able to transit the area if they obtain 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. Moreover, the 
Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine 
channel 16 about the zone, and the rule allows 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 no 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 
contact 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

[[Page 51802]]

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. If 
you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, 
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

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 
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, 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 lasting approximately 6 hours annually that 
will prohibit entry within a specific section of the Columbia River in 
the vicinity of Hood River, OR. It is categorically excluded from 
further review under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant 
Instruction. An environmental analysis checklist supporting this 
determination and a Categorical Exclusion Determination are available 
in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or 
information that may lead to the discovery of a significant 
environmental impact from this rule.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact 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:  33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.

0
2. Add, under the undesignated center heading Thirteenth Coast Guard 
District, Sec.  165.1342 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.1342   Annual Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim, Columbia River, 
Hood River, OR.

    (a) Regulated area. The following regulated area is a safety zone. 
The safety zone will encompass all waters of the Columbia River between 
River Mile 169 and River Mile 170.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
    Designated representative means Coast Guard Patrol Commanders, 
including Coast Guard coxswains, petty officers, and other officers 
operating Coast Guard vessels, and Federal, state, and local officers 
designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Sector Columbia 
River in the enforcement of the regulated area.
    Non-participant person means a person not registered as a swimmer 
in the Roy Webster Cross-Channel Swim held on the Columbia River in the 
vicinity of Hood River, OR, each Labor Day.
    (c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 33 
CFR part 165, subpart C, non-participant persons and vessels are 
prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or 
remaining within the regulated area unless authorized by Captain of the 
Port, Sector Columbia River or a designated representative.
    (1) Non-participant persons and vessels may request authorization 
to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated 
area by contacting the Captain of the Port Sector, Columbia River or a 
designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16. If authorization 
is granted by the Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River or a 
designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such 
authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the 
Port Sector, Columbia River or a designated representative.
    (2) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the safety zone by Local 
Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners and on-scene 
designated representatives.
    (d) Enforcement period. This safety zone will be enforced on Labor 
Day of each year, between the hours of 6 a.m. and Noon.

    Dated: July 29, 2016.
W.R. Timmons,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River.
[FR Doc. 2016-18589 Filed 8-4-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P