Document ID: USCG-2022-0190-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Special Local Regulation, Sabine River, Orange, TX
Posted Date: 2022-03-30T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18338-18340]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06671]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0190]
RIN 1625-AA00

Special Local Regulation, Sabine River, Orange, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety 
zone for certain navigable waters of the Sabine River, extending the 
entire width of the river, adjacent to the public boat ramp located in 
Orange, TX. The special local regulation is necessary to protect 
persons and vessels from hazards associated with a high-speed boat race 
competition in Orange, TX. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone 
would be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine 
Safety Unit Port Arthur or a designated representative. We invite your 
comments on this proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before April 29, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2022-0190 using the Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email Mr. Scott Whalen, Marine Safety Unit 
Port Arthur, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 409-719-5086, email 
[email protected].

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, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    On March 9, 2022, the City of Orange, TX, notified the Coast Guard 
that it would be sponsoring high speed boat races from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
on May 21 and 22, 2022, adjacent to the public boat ramp in Orange, TX. 
The Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with high speed boat races 
would be a safety concern for spectator craft and vessels in the 
vicinity of these race events.
    The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels 
and the navigable waters of the Sabine River adjacent to the public 
boat ramp in Orange, TX, before, during, and after the scheduled event. 
The Coast Guard is proposing this rulemaking under authority in 46 
U.S.C. 70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP is proposing to establish a special local regulation from 
8:30 a.m. on May 21, 2022, through 6 p.m. on May 22, 2022. The safety 
zone would be enforced from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both May 21st and 
May 22nd. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters of the 
Sabine River, extending the entire width of the river, adjacent to the 
public boat ramp located in Orange, TX, bounded to the north by the 
Orange Public Wharf and latitude 30[deg]05'50'' N and to the south at 
latitude 30[deg]05'33'' N. The duration of the safety zone is intended 
to protect participants, spectators, and other persons and vessels, in 
the navigable waters of the Sabine River during high-speed boat races 
and will include breaks and opportunity for vessels to transit through 
the regulated area.
    No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone 
without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. They may be contacted on VHF-FM channel 13 or 16, or by 
phone at 409-719-5070.
    The COTP or a designated representative may prohibit or control the 
movement of all vessels in the zone. When hailed or signaled by an 
official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an immediate stop and 
comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in 
expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both.
    The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the operation 
of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of 
life or property. The COTP or a designated representative may terminate 
enforcement of the special local regulation at the conclusion of the 
event.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed 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 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).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the proposed size, 
location and duration of the rule. The safety zone would encompass a 
less than half-mile stretch of the Sabine River for eight hours on each 
of two days. The Coast Guard would notify the public by issuing Local 
Notice to Mariners (LNM),

[[Page 18339]]

and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB) and Broadcast Notice 
to Mariners via VHF-FM radio and the rule will allow vessels to seek 
permission to enter the zone during scheduled breaks.

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.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
temporary safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in 
section IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant 
economic impact on any vessel owner or operator.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule 
would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment 
(see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to 
what degree this rule would economically affect it.
    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 proposed rule. If the proposed 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. The Coast Guard will not 
retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this 
proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments) because it would 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 proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please call or email 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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the potential effects of 
this proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed 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 made 
a preliminary determination 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 that would last 8.5 hours on each of two days and that would 
prohibit entry on less than a half-mile stretch of the Sabine River in 
Orange, TX. Normally such actions are categorically excluded from 
further review under paragraph L60 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS 
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A preliminary 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. 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.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments through 
the Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. To 
do so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2022-0190 in the 
search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the 
Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment 
option. If you cannot submit your material by using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate 
instructions.
    Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this 
proposed rule as being available in the docket, find the docket as 
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting & 
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will 
also be placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following 
instructions on the https://www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked 
Questions web page. We review all comments received, but we will only 
post comments that address the topic of the proposed rule. We may 
choose not to post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that 
we receive.
    Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we 
post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal 
information you have provided. For more about privacy

[[Page 18340]]

and submissions to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's 
eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).

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 AREA 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.T08-0190 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0190  Safety Zone; Sabine River, Orange, Texas.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters of the Sabine River, extending the entire width of the river, 
adjacent to the public boat ramp located in Orange, TX, bounded to the 
north by the Orange Public Wharf and latitude 30[deg]05'50'' N and to 
the south at latitude 30[deg]05'33'' N. The duration of the safety zone 
is intended to protect participants, spectators, and other persons and 
vessels, in the navigable waters of the Sabine River during high-speed 
boat races and will include breaks and opportunity for vessels to 
transit through the regulated area.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 9 a.m. on May 
21, 2022, through 6 p.m. on May 22, 2022.
    (c) Enforcement periods. This section will be enforced from 9 a.m. 
through 6 p.m. daily.
    (d) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port 
Arthur (COTP) or a designated representative. They may be contacted on 
VHF-FM channel 13 or 16, or by phone at by telephone at 409-719-5070.
    (2) The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control 
the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or 
signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an 
immediate stop and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so 
may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, 
or both.
    (3) The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the event 
or the operation of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for 
the protection of life or property.
    (4) The COTP or a designated representative will terminate 
enforcement of the special local regulations in this section at the 
conclusion of the event.
    (e) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public of the effective period for the 
safety zone as well as any changes in the dates and times of 
enforcement through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs), Broadcast Notices 
to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) 
as appropriate.

    Dated: March 23, 2022.
Molly A. Wike,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Zone Port 
Arthur.
[FR Doc. 2022-06671 Filed 3-29-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P