Document ID: USCG-2019-0024-0003
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Xterra Swim, Intracoastal Waterway; Myrtle Beach, SC
Posted Date: 2019-04-12T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 71 (Friday, April 12, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14870-14872]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-07263]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2019-0024]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Xterra Swim, Intracoastal Waterway; Myrtle Beach, SC

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 Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach, 
South Carolina. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of 
the swimmers, participant vessels, spectators, and the general public 
during the swim portion of the Xterra Triathlon. This regulation 
prohibits non-participant vessels and persons from entering, transiting 
through, anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. through 9 a.m. on April 14, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2019-0024 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 Lieutenant Justin Heck, Sector Charleston Waterways 
Management division, Coast Guard; telephone (843) 740-3184, 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

[[Page 14871]]

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    On January 9, 2019, Go Race Productions notified the Coast Guard 
that it would be sponsoring the Xterra Swim from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. 
on April 14, 2019. Approximately 200 swimmers are anticipated to 
participate in the swim portion of the event, which is a 1500-yard 
course, located on certain waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway 
in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. In response, on March 1, 2019, the 
Coast Guard published an NPRM titled ``Safety Zone, Xterra Swim, 
Intracoastal Waterway, Myrtle Beach, SC'' (84 FR 6994). There we stated 
why we issued the NPRM, and invited comments on our proposed regulatory 
action related to this event. During the comment period that ended 
March 30, 2019, 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 Charleston 
(COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the large 
number of participants during the swim will be a safety concern. The 
purpose of the rule is to ensure the safety of the participants, 
spectators, the general public, vessels and the navigable waters in the 
safety zone 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 March 
1, 2019. 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 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on 
April 14, 2019. The safety zone will cover a portion of the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Approximately 
200 swimmers are anticipated to participate in the race. The duration 
of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of the participants, the 
general public, vessels and the navigable waters before, during, and 
after the scheduled 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. swim. No vessel or person 
will be permitted to enter, transit through, anchor in or remain within 
the safety zone without obtaining permission from COTP Charleston or a 
designated representative. If authorization to enter, transit through, 
anchor in, or remain within the safety zone is granted by the COTP or a 
designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such 
authorization must comply with the instructions of the COTP or a 
designated representative. The Coast Guard will provide notice of the 
safety zone by local notice to mariners, broadcast notice to mariners, 
or by on-scene designated representatives.

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.
    This regulatory action determination is based on: (1) The temporary 
safety zone will only be enforced for two hours; (2) although persons 
and vessels may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within 
the regulated area without authorization from the COTP Charleston or a 
designated representative, they may operate in the surrounding area 
during the enforcement period; and, (3) the Coast Guard will provide 
advance notification of the safety zone to the local maritime community 
by Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or by on-
scene designated representatives.

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 zero 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 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,

[[Page 14872]]

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 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 that will prohibit persons and vessels from entering, 
transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within a limited area 
near Myrtle Beach, SC, on the waters of the Intracoastal Waterway in 
Myrtle Beach, SC, during a race event lasting two hours. 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. 01. A 
Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is 
available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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: 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.T07-0024 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0024   Safety Zone; Xterra Swim, Myrtle Beach SC.

    (a) Location. The following is a safety zone: Certain waters of the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway within the following two points of 
position and the North shore: 33[deg]45'03'' N, 78[deg]50'47'' W to 
33[deg]45'18'' N, 78[deg]50'14'' W, located in Myrtle Beach, South 
Carolina. All coordinates are North American Datum 1983.
    (b) Definition. The term ``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 Charleston in the enforcement of the regulated 
areas.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Charleston 
or a designated representative.
    (2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the Captain of the 
Port Charleston by telephone at 843-740-7050, or a designated 
representative via VHF radio on channel 16, to request authorization. 
If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within 
the regulated area is granted by the Captain of the Port Charleston or 
a designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such 
authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the 
Port Charleston or a designated representative.
    (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by 
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and on-scene 
designated representatives.
    (d) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced from 7:00 a.m. 
until 9:00 a.m. on April 14, 2019.

    Dated: April 5, 2019.
J.W. Reed,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Charleston.
[FR Doc. 2019-07263 Filed 4-11-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P