Document ID: USCG-2021-0120-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Security Zones; Sabine Pass Channel, Cameron, LA
Posted Date: 2021-06-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 112 (Monday, June 14, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31459-31460]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-11650]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0120]
RIN 1625-AA87

Security Zones; Sabine Pass Channel, Cameron, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent security 
zone within a new mooring basin at the Sabine Pass LNG facility in 
Cameron, LA. This proposed rule would prohibit persons and vessels from 
entering the security zone unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port, Port Arthur or a designated representative. Additionally, the 
Coast Guard proposes to improve the language describing the area and to 
correct a geographical error. We invite your comments on this proposed 
rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before July 14, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0120 using the Federal eRulemaking 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 409-719-5080, email 
scott.k.whalen@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Port Arthur
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
LNG Liquified Natural Gas
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    On May 26, 2010 the Coast Guard published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) prosposing to, among other things, establish a 
security zone for the Sabine Pass LNG mooring basin located in Cameron 
Parish, LA while LNG carriers are moored at the facility. On October 
22, 2010 the Coast Guard issued an interim rule for the proposed 
security zone and on January 11, 2011 the Coast Guard published a final 
rule for the security zone.
    Sabine Pass LNG is constructing a second mooring basin adjacent to 
the first and the COTP has determined that enhanced security measures 
are necessary and requires extending the existing security zone to 
include the new mooring basin.

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP is proposing to establish a permanent security zone in a 
new mooring basin at Sabine Pass LNG located in Cameron, LA. The 
security zone regulations would be the same as those in effect for the 
existing mooring basin, that is, it would exclude certain vessels from 
entering the basin whenever an LNG carrier is moored at the facility. 
No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. 
Additionally, the Coast Guard proposes to improve the language 
describing the area and to correct a geographical error in the CFR. The 
regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this document.

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 limited size 
and that the affected area does not hinder or delay regular vessel 
traffic. Certain vessels with business in the mooring basin will be 
authorized to enter.

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 
secutiy 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 proposed 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

[[Page 31460]]

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 effects of this 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 
regulations establishing a security zone that would prohibit entry 
whenever an LNG carrier is moored at the facility. Normally such 
actions are 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 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.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for 
alternate instructions.
    We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal information you have 
provided. For more about privacy and submissions in response to this 
document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, 
March 11, 2020).
    Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket, 
and public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions. 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. If you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, 
you will be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is 
published.

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 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. Revise Sec.  165.819(a)(1)(ii) to read as follows:

Sec.  165.819  Security Zone; Sabine Bank Channel, Sabine Pass Channel 
and Sabine-Neches Waterway, TX.

    (a) * * *
    (1) * * *
    (ii) Sabine Pass LNG, Cameron Parish, LA: (A) All mooring basin 
waters horeward of a line connecting the following points--beginning at 
the shoreline in position 29[deg]44'34.7'' N, 093[deg]52'29'' W; then 
to a point at 29[deg]44'31.4'' N, 093[deg]52'26.4'' W; then to a point 
at 29[deg]44'25.2'' N, 093[deg]52'14.6'' W; then to the shoreline at 
29[deg]44'24.4'' N, 093[deg]52'11.4'' W.
    (B) All mooring basin waters shoreward of a line connecting the 
following points--beginning at the shoreline in position 
29[deg]44'23.4'' N, 093[deg]52'10.3'' W; then to a point at 
29[deg]44'22.3'' N, 093[deg]52'9.8'' W; then to a point at 
29[deg]44'18'' N, 093[deg]52'3.6'' W; then to the shoreline at 
29[deg]44'17.4'' N, 093[deg]52'2.3'' W.
* * * * *

    Dated: May 25, 2021.
Molly A. Wike,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Unit Port 
Arthur.
[FR Doc. 2021-11650 Filed 6-11-21; 8:45 am]
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