Document ID: USCG-2016-0757-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Special Local Regulations: Atchafalaya River, Morgan City, LA
Posted Date: 2016-09-15T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 179 (Thursday, September 15, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 63416-63418]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-22200]

=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0757]
RIN 1625-AA08

Special Local Regulation; Atchafalaya River, Morgan City, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation for 
all navigable waters, near mile marker 4.5 of the Morgan City Port 
Allen route to extend north and south 1000 feet of Russo's boat launch 
on the Atchafalaya River. The special local regulation is necessary to 
protect participants and spectators from the hazards associated with 
the Battle of the Basin power boat race. Entry of vessels or persons 
into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the 
Captain of the Port Morgan City or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 10 a.m. on September 24, 2016 
through 7 p.m. September 25, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0757 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, 
contact LTJG Vanessa Taylor, Marine Safety Unit Morgan City, U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone 985-380-5334, email Vanessa.R.Taylor@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
MM Mile Marker

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 the Coast Guard did not receive 
notice of the request until July 25, 2016. Completing the NPRM process 
would delay the immediate action needed to protect spectators and 
vessels from hazards associated with the boat races. It is 
impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this special 
local regulation by September 24, 2016.
    We are issuing this rule, and under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast 
Guard finds that good cause exists for making it effective less than 30 
days after publication in the Federal Register. Providing 30 days 
notice for this occurrence would unnecessarily delay the effective date 
and would be impracticable based on the limited time frame, as well as 
be contrary to public interest because immediate action is needed to 
protect spectators from the potential safety hazards associated with 
the high speed boat races.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1233. The Captain of the Port Morgan City (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the combination of recreational and 
commercial vessels and a high speed boat racing event starting at 10 
a.m. and lasting until 7 p.m. on September 24, 2016 and September 25, 
2016 is a safety concern for anyone within this area. This rule is 
needed to help ensure the safety of persons and recreational boats 
during the event on the navigable waters within the special local 
regulation.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a special local regulation that will be 
enforced from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on September 24, 2016 and September 
25, 2016. The special local regulation will cover all navigable waters 
near mile marker 4.5 on the Morgan City Port Allen alternate route 
extending 1000 feet north and south from Russo's boat launch in Morgan 
City. The duration of the zone is intended to protect spectators, 
vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters while the 
speed races occur. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the 
special local regulation 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. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing 
rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has not been designated 
a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and specific times of enforcement for the special 
local regulation. The limited duration of the zone is intended to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these 
navigable waters while the high speed boat races

[[Page 63417]]

are being conducted. This special local regulation will be relatively 
small and enforced over two days. Under certain conditions, moreover, 
vessels may still transit through the special local regulation when 
permitted by the COTP or a designated representative.
    No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the special local 
regulation without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone and the rule 
allows vessels to seek permission to enter the 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 
special local regulation 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, 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 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 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 
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 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 special local regulation lasting less than 2 days that 
will prohibit entry into or transit through the speed boat race course 
located at mile marker 4.5 of the Morgan City Port Allen Alternate 
route in Morgan City, LA. It is categorically excluded from further 
review under paragraph 34(h) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant 
Instruction. An 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 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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, 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: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 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.T08-0757 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T35-0757  Special local regulation; Atchafalaya River, Morgan 
City, LA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a special local regulation: All 
waters of the Atchafalaya River near mile marker 4.5 of the Morgan City 
Port Allen route to extend north and south 1000 feet from Russo's boat 
launch.
    (b) Enforcement period. This special local regulation will be 
enforced from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. on September 24, 2016 and on 
September 25, 2016.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations of 
this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the COTP or designated personnel. Persons or vessels 
desiring to enter into or pass through the zone must request permission 
from

[[Page 63418]]

the COTP or a designated representative. They may be contacted on VHF-
FM radio channel 13 and 16 or phone at 985-380-5373.
    (2) Persons and vessels permitted to deviate from this special 
local regulation and enter the restricted area must transit at the 
slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful directions issued by the 
COTP or the designated representative.
    (d) Informational broadcasts. The COTP Morgan City or a designated 
representative will inform the public through broadcast notices to 
mariners of the enforcement period for the special local regulation as 
well as any changes in the dates and times of enforcement.

    Dated: September 6, 2016.
J.H. Miller,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port, Morgan City, 
Louisiana.
[FR Doc. 2016-22200 Filed 9-14-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P