Document ID: USCG-2020-0223-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone: Monongahela River Mile Marker 76.6, Pittsburgh, PA
Posted Date: 2020-05-04T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 86 (Monday, May 4, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26359-26361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-08975]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2020-0223]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone: Monongahela River Mile Marker 76.6, Pittsburgh, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters of the Monongahela River at mile marker 76.6. The 
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by construction on a new raw 
water intake, from April 27, 2020 through May 8, 2020. Entry of vessels 
or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized 
by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh or designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from May 4, 2020 
until 7 p.m. on May 8, 2020. For purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from 7 a.m. on April 27, 2020 until May 4, 2020.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2020-0223 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 Petty Officer Matthew Izso, Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 412-221-0807, email 
Matthew.R.Izso@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register

[[Page 26360]]

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 it is impracticable. This safety zone 
must be established by April 27, 2020 and we lack sufficient time to 
provide a reasonable comment period and then consider those comments 
before issuing this rule. The NPRM process would delay the 
establishment of the safety zone until after the date of the raw water 
intake construction and compromise public safety.
    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 this rule would be 
contrary to the public interest because immediate action is necessary 
to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with raw water 
intake work, which could pose a risk to the operation and waterways 
users if the normal vessel traffic were to interfere with the work. 
Possible hazards include risks of injury or death from near or actual 
contact among working vessels and mariners traversing through the 
safety zone.

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 Marine 
Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with raw water intake construction starting April 27, 2020, 
will be a safety concern for anyone within a 20 foot radius of the work 
barge. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone while 
the construction is being done.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 7 a.m. on April 27, 2020 
until 7 p.m. on May 8, 2020. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters within 20 feet of the work barge being used by personnel for the 
construction of the raw water intake. Located at mile marker 76.6 on 
the Monongahela River 220 feet from the opposite bank. The duration of 
the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment in these navigable waters while the construction is being 
done. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone 
without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, 
or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the 
operational control of USCG Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh. Persons and 
vessels seeking entry into this safety zone must request permission 
from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be contacted on 
VHF-FM Channel 16 or by telephone at (412) 221-0807. Persons and 
vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must transit at their 
slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful instructions of the COTP 
or a designated representative. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement period for the safety zone as 
well as any changes in the schedule through Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety 
Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.

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 size, duration, 
and location of the safety zone. This rule will impact a section of the 
Monongahela River from April 27, 2020 through May 8, 2020.

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

[[Page 26361]]

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 that will prohibit entry within 20 feet of a work barge 
being used by personnel to construct a raw water intake. 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:

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.T08-0223 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0223  Safety Zone; Monongahela River, mile 76.6 
Pittsburgh, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a temporary safety zone: 20 
foot radius of the Garney Construction barge, Monongahela River at mile 
marker 76.6.
    (b) Effective period. This rule is effective from April 27, 2020 
through May 8, 2020.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced at all times. 
The Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) or a 
designated representative will provide notice of breaks as appropriate 
under paragraph (e) of this section.
    (d) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) or a 
designated representative. A designated representative is a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Marine Safety 
Unit Pittsburgh.
    (2) Persons and vessels seeking entry into this safety zone must 
request permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They 
may be contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or by telephone at (412) 221-
0807.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
instructions of the COTP or a designated representative.
    (e) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public of the enforcement period for the 
safety zone as well as any changes in the schedule through Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or 
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.

    Dated: April 23, 2020.
A.W. Demo,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2020-08975 Filed 5-1-20; 8:45 am]
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