Document ID: USCG-2021-0098-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone: Ohio River, New Richmond, OH
Posted Date: 2021-02-25T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11426-11428]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-03974]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0098]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Ohio River, New Richmond, OH

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing temporary safety zone for all 
navigable waters of the Ohio River from mile marker (MM) 452.0 to MM 
454.0 near New Richmond, OH. This action is necessary to provide for 
the safety of life on these navigable waters near New Richmond, OH, 
during a demolition project. Entry into, transiting through, or 
anchoring within this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective on February 26, 2021 through February 28, 
2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0098 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 MST1 Matthew Roberts, Waterways Department Marine Safety 
Detachment Cincinnati, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 513-921-9033, email 
msdcincinnati@uscg.mil.

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 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 good 
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
with respect to this rule because doing so would be impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. On February 15, 2021, the Coast Guard 
was notified of a demolition event that will take place on the Ohio 
River, between Mile Marker (MM) 452.0 to MM 454.0 near New Richmond, OH 
from 9:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. on February 26, 2021 or if inclement 
weather is present the demotion event will take place on February 27, 
2021 or February 28, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. Notice of 
the demolition event did not give the Coast Guard enough time to 
publish an NPRM, take public comments, and issue a final rule before 
the demolition work is set to begin. It would be impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest to delay promulgating this rule as it 
is necessary to establish this safety zone on February 26, 2021 to 
protect the safety of anyone within a two mile radius of the area 
associated with the demolition. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast 
Guard finds that good cause exists for making this

[[Page 11427]]

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 necessary to respond to the potential safety hazards 
associated with the demolition.

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 Ohio Valley 
(COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the 
demolition occuring on February 26, 2021, will be a safety concern for 
anyone near the demolition site. The purpose of this rule is to ensure 
safety of vessels and the navigable waters in the safety zone before, 
during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 9:30 a.m. through 10:30 
a.m. on February 26, 2021. The back up dates will be February 27, 2021 
or February 28, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. through 10:30 a.m. The temporary 
safety zone would cover all navigable waters on the Ohio River 
extending from MM 452.0 to MM 454.0 near New Richmond, OH. The duration 
of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these 
navigable waters before, during, and after the scheduled 9:30 a.m. 
through 10:30 a.m. demolition. 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 size, 
location, and duration of the temporary safety zone. The temporary 
safety zone would only be in effect for 1 hour and limit access to a 
two-mile stretch of the Ohio River near New Richmond, OH. The Coast 
Guard expects minimum adverse impact to mariners. Also, mariners would 
be permitted to request authorization from the COTP or a designated 
representative to transit the temporary safety 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 1 hour, which would prohibit entry within a 2-mile 
stretch of the Ohio River near New Richmond, OH. 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,

[[Page 11428]]

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. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0098 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0098  Safety Zone; Ohio River, New Richmond, OH.

    (a) Location. The following area is a temporary safety zone: All 
navigable waters of the Ohio River between MM 452.0 to MM 454.0 in New 
Richmond, OH.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative 
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, 
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a 
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) in the enforcement of the 
safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry into this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) or a 
designated representative. Persons or vessels desiring to enter into or 
pass through the zone must request permission from the COTP or a 
designated representative. They may be contacted on VHF-FM radio 
channel 16 or phone at 1-800-253-7465.
    (2) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at the slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful directions 
issued by the COTP or a designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 9:30 
a.m. until 10:30 a.m. on February 26, 2021. The back up dates will be 
February 27, 2021 or February 28, 2021, from 9:30 a.m. until 10:30 a.m.
    (e) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners and the Local Notice to Mariners of the enforcement period for 
the temporary safety zone as well as any changes in the planned 
schedule.

    Dated: February 19, 2021.
A.M. Beach,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley.
[FR Doc. 2021-03974 Filed 2-24-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P