Document ID: USCG-2023-0741-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Southern Command Dive Operation, Gulf of Mexico, Key West, FL
Posted Date: 2023-09-22T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 183 (Friday, September 22, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65323-65325]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-20461]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0741]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Southern Command Dive Operation, Gulf of Mexico, Key 
West, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
waterways surrounding Key West, Florida, during the Southern Command's 
(SOCOM) Dive operation. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the 
safety of event participants. Entry of vessels or persons into this 
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the 
Port (COTP) Key West or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. on September 26 
and September 27, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0741 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Hailye Wilson, Waterways Management Division, 
Sector Key West, FL, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (305) 292-8768; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

COTP Captain of the Port
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 the Coast Guard did not receive final 
details from the U.S. Army operations department within the time 
required to publish an NPRM. Therefore, the Coast Guard lacks 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing the rule. It is impracticable 
and contrary to the public interest to delay issuing this rule because 
it is necessary to protect the safety of participants, the public, and 
vessels transiting the waters adjacent to Key West, FL.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable because the event is taking place 
September 26 and 27, 2023, and immediate action is needed to respond to 
the potential safety hazards associated with this event.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under the authority in 46 
U.S.C. 70034. The Captain of the Port Key West (COTP) has determined 
that potential hazards associated with this dive operation will be a 
safety concern for persons and vessels in the regulated area. This rule 
is needed to ensure the safety of the event participants, the general 
public, vessels and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the safety zone during the Southern Command's Dive operation.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone on certain navigable waters of 
Key West, Florida, during the SOCOM's Dive operation. The safety zone 
will be enforced from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on September 26 and 27, 2023. 
The safety zone will cover all waters within the following coordinates: 
Latitude 24[deg]35.724' N, longitude 081[deg]47.561' W, thence east to 
latitude 24[deg]35.960' N, longitude 081[deg]46.811' W, thence south to 
latitude 24[deg]34.802' N, longitude 081[deg]47.376' W, thence west to 
latitude 24[deg]34.952' N, longitude 081[deg]46.858' W, located within 
the county of Monroe, FL.
    No person or vessel will be permitted to enter, transit through, 
anchor in, or remain within the safety zone without first obtaining 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. If

[[Page 65324]]

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 Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners, and/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. This rule has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as 
amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). 
Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on following reasons: 
(1) the temporary safety zone will only be enforced for a total of 15 
hours per day; (2) although persons and vessels may not enter, transit 
through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone without 
authorization from the COTP or a designated representative, they may 
operate in the surrounding area during the enforcement period; (3) 
persons and vessels may still enter, transit through, anchor in, or 
remain within the areas during the enforcement period if authorized by 
the COTP or a designated representative.

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 small, 
designated areas of the Gulf of Mexico around Key West, Florida, for 
only 10 hours per day and thus is limited in time and scope. 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, 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:

[[Page 65325]]

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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T07-0741 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0741  Safety Zone; Southern Command Dive Operation, Gulf 
of Mexico, Key West, FL.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within the following coordinates: Latitude 24[deg]35.724' N, 
longitude 081[deg]47.561' W, thence east to latitude 24[deg]35.960' N, 
longitude 081[deg]46.811' W, thence south to latitude 24[deg]34.823' N, 
longitude 081[deg]47.376' W, thence west to latitude 24[deg]34.952' N, 
longitude 081[deg]46.858' W, located within the county of Monroe, FL. 
These coordinates are based on North American Datum.
    (b) Definition. As used in this section, the term ``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 Key West (COTP) in the enforcement of 
the safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area described in paragraph (a) of this section unless 
authorized by the COTP Key West or a designated representative.
    (2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the COTP Key West 
by telephone at (305) 292-8772, or a designated representative via VHF-
FM radio on channel 16 to request authorization. If authorization is 
granted, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must 
comply with the instructions of the COTP Key West or a designated 
representative.
    (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by 
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM 
channel 16, or the COTP's designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 6 a.m. 
until 9 p.m. on September 26 and 27, 2023.

J. Ingram,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Key West.
[FR Doc. 2023-20461 Filed 9-21-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P