Document ID: USCG-2022-0712-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD
Posted Date: 2022-08-22T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 161 (Monday, August 22, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 51257-51259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18032]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0712]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD

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 the Inner Harbor. The safety zone is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment on these 
navigable waters in Baltimore, MD, September 9, 2022-September 11, 
2022, from potential hazards during multi-agency helicopter safety 
demonstrations in support of the Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover 
Baltimore 2022. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, 
Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 1 p.m. on September 9, 2022, through 
4 p.m. on September 11, 2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2022-0712 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 Mr. Ron Houck, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 410-576-
2674, 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 it is 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest to publish an NPRM 
because we must take immediate action to establish this safety zone by 
September 9, 2022, to respond to potential safety hazards associated 
with the event. Potential safety hazards include low-hanging ropes and 
cables, and helicopter rotor downwash and noise. Event planners did not 
notify the Coast Guard with details of the event until August 11, 2022.
    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 and contrary to the public interest 
because immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety 
hazards associated with the helicopter safety demonstrations.

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, Maryland-
National Capital Region (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the helicopter safety demonstrations on September 9, 
2022, September 10, 2022, and September 11, 2022, will be a safety 
concern for anyone near the demonstration site. This rule is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable 
waters within the safety zone before, during, and after the scheduled 
events.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 1 p.m. on September 9, 
2022, through 4 p.m. on September 11, 2022. This safety zone will be 
enforced from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on September 9, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 4 
p.m. on September 10, 2022, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on September 11, 
2022. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters of the Inner 
Harbor, encompassed by a line connecting the following points: 
beginning at Inner Harbor Pier 6 at position latitude 39[deg]16'59'' N, 
longitude 076[deg]36'12'' W, thence south to the Harborview Towers pier 
at latitude 39[deg]16'41'' N, longitude 076[deg]36'12'' W, thence 
northerly and easterly along the shoreline to and terminating at the 
point of origin located in Baltimore, MD. The area of the safety zone 
is approximately 2,000 yards in length and 500 yards in width. The 
duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment in these navigable waters before, during, and after 
the demonstrations. 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 location and 
duration of the safety zone. This safety zone will impact the Inner 
Harbor for 9 total enforcement hours. We anticipate that there will be 
no vessels that are unable to conduct business. Commercial fishing 
vessels and towing vessels are not impacted by this rulemaking. 
Excursion vessels and water taxis do operate in this area, however, the 
impact to these waterway users is minimized because of the extensive 
outreach that has been conducted for the Maryland Fleet Week and 
Flyover Baltimore 2022 and the involvement of the water taxis in the 
event planning process. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a 
Broadcast

[[Page 51258]]

Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about 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 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 lasting only 9 total enforcement hours that will prohibit 
entry within the Inner Harbor. 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. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T05-0712 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T05-0712  Safety Zone; Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Inner Harbor, encompassed by a line connecting the 
following points: beginning at Inner Harbor Pier 6 at position latitude 
39[deg]16'59'' N, longitude 076[deg]36'12'' W, thence south to the 
Harborview Towers pier at latitude 39[deg]16'41'' N, longitude 
076[deg]36'12'' W, thence northerly and easterly along the shoreline to 
and terminating at the point of origin, located in Baltimore, MD. These 
coordinates are based on datum NAD 1983.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
    Captain of the Port (COTP) means the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector Maryland-National Capital Region.
    Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Maryland-National Capital Region to assist in enforcing the safety 
zone described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (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 telephone at 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio 
VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this 
section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 
MHz).

[[Page 51259]]

    (3) Vessels already at berth or moored at the time the safety zone 
is implemented do not have to depart the zone or request permission to 
remain moored.
    (4) 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 officials. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in 
the patrol and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and 
local agencies.
    (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 1 p.m. 
to 4 p.m. on September 9, 2022, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on September 10, 
2022, and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on September 11, 2022.

    Dated: August 17, 2022.
David E. O'Connell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2022-18032 Filed 8-19-22; 8:45 am]
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