Document ID: USCG-2015-0825-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Anchorage Regulations, Delaware River; Philadelphia, PA
Posted Date: 2016-01-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 2 (Tuesday, January 5, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 194-196]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-33167]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[Docket Number USCG-2015-0825]
RIN 1625-AA01

Anchorage Regulations, Delaware River; Philadelphia, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend the geographic coordinates 
and modify the regulated use of anchorage ``10'' in the Delaware River 
in the vicinity of the Navy Yard in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The 
proposed change would alter the size and use of the anchorage, reducing 
the anchorage in size and allowing the anchorage to be used as a 
general anchorage in the Delaware River. We invite your comments on 
this proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before February 4, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2015-0825 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://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 Lieutenant Brennan Dougherty, U.S. 
Coast Guard, Sector Delaware Bay, Chief Waterways Management Division, 
Coast Guard; telephone (215) 271-4851, email 
Brennan.P.Dougherty@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
E.O. Executive order
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Pub. L. Public Law
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code
COTP Captain of the Port

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    The legal basis for this rule is: 33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 
2071; 33 CFR 1.05-1; and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1, which collectively authorize the Coast Guard to define 
anchorage grounds.
    On December, 12, 1967, the Coast Guard Fifth District published a 
final rule establishing an anchorage area on the Delaware River in 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the Federal Register (32 FR 17726, 
17749). The anchorage area established is contained in 33 CFR 
110.157(a)(11). This proposed rule would change the shape and the 
dimensions of anchorage ``10'', and remove the ``restricted naval 
anchorage'' verbiage from the regulation. The anchorage currently 
remains unused by the Naval Yard. Removing the restrictions on 
anchorage ``10'' would alleviate congestion within the port, allowing 
the anchorage to be used as a general anchorage for commercial traffic.

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The new anchorage area would encompass all waters of the Delaware 
River on the north side of the channel along West Horseshoe Range, 
bounded as follows: Beginning off of the southeasterly corner of Pier 1 
at 39[deg]53'07'' N., 075[deg]10'30'' W., thence south to the to the 
north edge of the channel along West Horseshoe Range to 39[deg]52'58'' 
N., 075[deg]10'29'' W., thence east along the edge of the channel to 
39[deg]52'56'' N., 075[deg]09'53'' W., thence north to 39[deg]53'07'' 
N., 075[deg]09'54'' W., thence continuing west to the beginning point 
at 39[deg]53'07'' N., 075[deg]10'30'' W. Additionally, the restrictions 
on the use of the anchorage will be removed, permitting all vessels to 
anchor within its bounds. 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 (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize 
our analyses based on a number of these

[[Page 195]]

statutes and E.O.s, and we discuss First Amendment rights of 
protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    E.O.s 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. 
E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. This NPRM has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under E.O. 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM has not 
been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action because 
it will not interfere with existing maritime activity on the Delaware 
River. Moreover, it is enhancing navigational safety along the Delaware 
River by providing an additional anchorage for commercial and 
recreational vessels. The proposed anchorage maintains the same 
parallel distance along the channel boundaries as the existing 
anchorage. The impacts to navigational safety are expected to be 
minimal because the proposed anchorage area would not unnecessarily 
restrict traffic, as it is located outside of the established 
navigation channel. Vessels may navigate in, around, and through the 
proposed anchorage.

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.
    For the reasons stated in paragraph IV.A, this proposed rule would 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. If you think that your business, organization, or 
governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this 
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 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. 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 E.O. 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 E.O. 13132.
    Also, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
E.O. 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 contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

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 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 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 the 
alteration of the size and use of anchorage ``10,'' restricted Naval 
Anchorage. It is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(f) of Figure 2-1 of Commandant Instruction M16475.lD. A 
preliminary 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 proposed 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.

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 http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions. Documents mentioned in this NPRM, and all public 
comments, will be in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov 
and can be viewed by following that Web site's

[[Page 196]]

instructions. Additionally, 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.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the 
docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal 
Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal 
Register (70 FR 15086).

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 110 as follows:

PART 11--ANCHORAGE REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 110 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 1221 through 1236, 2071; 33 CFR 1.05-
1; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. In Sec.  110.157, revise paragraph (a)(11) to read as follows:

Sec.  110.157  Delaware Bay and River.

    (a) * * *
    (11) Anchorage 10 at Naval Base, Philadelphia. On the north side of 
the channel along West Horseshoe Range, bounded as follows: Beginning 
off of the southeasterly corner of Pier 1 at 39[deg]53'07'' N., 
075[deg]10'30'' W., thence south to the to the north edge of the 
channel along West Horseshoe Range to 39[deg]52'58'' N., 
075[deg]10'29'' W., thence east along the edge of the channel to 
39[deg]52'56'' N., 075[deg]09'53'' W., thence north to 39[deg]53'07'' 
N., 075[deg]09'54'' W., thence continuing west to the beginning point 
at 39[deg]53'07'' N., 075[deg]10'30'' W.
* * * * *

    Dated: December 17, 2015.
Stephen P. Metruck,
Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-33167 Filed 1-4-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P