Document ID: USCG-2014-0117-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: NPRM:  Safety Zones: Lady Liberty Sharkfest Swim, Upper New York Bay, Liberty Island, NY (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2014-04-25T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 80 (Friday, April 25, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 22924-22927]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-09366]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2014-0117]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone: Lady Liberty Sharkfest Swim; Upper New York Bay, 
Liberty Island, NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone 
on the navigable waters of Upper New York Bay in the vicinity of 
Liberty Island,

[[Page 22925]]

New York for a swim event. This temporary safety zone is necessary to 
protect the maritime public and event participants from the hazards 
associated with swim events taking place in a high vessel traffic area. 
This rule is intended to restrict all vessels from a portion of Upper 
New York Bay before and during the swim event.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before May 27, 2014.
    Requests for public meetings must be received by the Coast Guard on 
or before May 2, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number using 
any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail or Delivery: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Deliveries 
accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion 
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for further instructions 
on submitting comments. To avoid duplication, please use only one of 
these three methods.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Junior Grade Kristopher Kesting, Sector NY 
Waterways Management, U.S. Coast Guard; Telephone (718) 354-4154, EMail 
Kristopher.R.Kesting@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or 
submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

A. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

1. Submitting Comments

    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. You may submit your comments and material online at 
http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but 
please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online, it 
will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully 
transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, 
it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when 
it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you 
include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a 
telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact 
you if we have questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number (USCG-2013-1058) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click 
``SEARCH.'' Click on ``Submit a Comment'' on the line associated with 
this rulemaking.
    If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and 
material received during the comment period and may change the rule 
based on your comments.

2. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number (USCG-2013-1058) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click 
``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with 
this rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in 
Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

3. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register.

4. Public Meeting

    We do not plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one, using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES on 
or before May 2, 2014. Please explain why you believe a public meeting 
would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this 
rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later 
notice in the Federal Register.

B. Regulatory History and Information

    There is no prior Regulatory history for this proposed safety zone.

C. Basis and Purpose

    The legal basis for the proposed rule is 33 U.S.C 1226, 1231; 46 
U.S.C Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of 
Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
    The COTP has determined that swimming events in close proximity to 
marine traffic pose significant risk to public safety and property. The 
combination of increased numbers of recreation vessels, congested 
waterways, and large numbers of swimmers in the water has the potential 
to result in serious injuries or fatalities. In order to protect the 
safety of all waterway users including event participants and 
spectators, this temporary rule establishes a temporary safety zone for 
the duration of the event.
    This rule prevents vessels from entering into, transiting through, 
mooring or anchoring within the area specifically designated as the 
safety zone during the period of enforcement unless authorized by the 
COTP, or the designated representative.

D. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    This temporary rule creates a safety zone for a swim event on the 
navigable waters of the Upper New York Bay. A portion of the navigable 
waters will be closed during the effective period to all vessel traffic 
except patrol crafts.
    The swim event will occur from approximately 7:30 a.m. until 
approximately 9:30 a.m. on June 29, 2014. In order to coordinate the 
safe movement of vessels within the area and to ensure that the area is 
clear of unauthorized persons and vessels

[[Page 22926]]

before, during, and immediately after the swim event, this zone will be 
effective from approximately 7:00 a.m. until approximately 10:00 a.m. 
on June 29, 2014.
    Vessels will still be able to transit the surrounding area and may 
be authorized to transit through the proposed safety zone with 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. The COTP does 
not anticipate any negative impact on vessel traffic due to this 
proposed safety zone.

E. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on a number of these statutes or executive orders.

 1. Regulatory Planning and Review

    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 
as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or 
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and 
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders.
    The Coast Guard's enforcement of this proposed safety zone will be 
of short duration, lasting only 3 hours. The proposed safety zone will 
restrict access to only a small portion of the navigable waterways of 
the Upper New York Bay. Vessels will be able to navigate around the 
proposed safety zone. Furthermore, vessels may be authorized to transit 
through the proposed safety zone with the permission of the COTP.

2. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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 will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    This proposed rule will affect the following entities, some of 
which may be small entities: The owners and operators of vessels 
intending to transit or anchor in a small portion of the Upper New York 
Bay during the effective period.
    This safety zone would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This 
proposed rule would be in effect for only 3 hours in an area where 
vessel traffic is low. Additionally, vessel traffic could pass safely 
around the safety zone. Before the effective period, the Coast Guard 
will issue maritime advisories widely available to users of the 
waterway.
    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.

3. Assistance for Small Entities

    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, above. 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.

4. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule will not call for a new collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520.).

5. Federalism

    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 proposed rule under that Order and 
determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.

 6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.

9. Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize 
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

10. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.

11. Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 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.

12. Energy Effects

    This proposed rule is not a ``significant energy action'' under 
Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

[[Page 22927]]

13. Technical Standards

    This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

14. 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 (NEPA)(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 
establishment of a temporary safety zone. This rule may be 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of 
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary environmental 
analysis checklist supporting this determination is 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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record keeping 
requirements, waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREA

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C Chapter 701, 3306, 
3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. 
L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T01-0117 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T01-0117  Safety Zone; Lady Liberty Sharkfest Swim; Upper New 
York Bay, Liberty Island, NY

    (a) Regulated Area. The following area is a temporary safety zone: 
all navigable waters of the Upper New York Bay bound by a line drawn 
from position 40[deg]42'44.82'' N, 074[deg]02'18.03'' W, east to 
position 40[deg]42'28.86'' N, 074[deg]01'30.22'' W, south to position 
40[deg]42'12.24'' N, 074[deg]02'18.22'' W, west to position 
40[deg]41'35.38'' N, 074[deg]03'12.61'' W, then north along the 
shoreline back to the point of origin.
    (b) Effective Period. This rule will be effective from 
approximately 7:00 a.m. until approximately 10:00 a.m. on June 29, 
2014.
    (c) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:
    (1) Designated Representative. A ``designated representative'' is 
any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer of the U.S. 
Coast Guard who has been designated by the Captain of the Port New York 
(COTP), to act on his or her behalf. A designated representative may be 
on an official patrol vessel or may be on shore and will communicate 
with vessels via VHF-FM radio or loudhailer. In addition, members of 
the Coast Guard Auxiliary may be present to inform vessel operators of 
this regulation.
    (2) Official Patrol Vessels. Official patrol vessels may consist of 
any Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, state, or local law enforcement 
vessels assigned or approved by the COTP.
    (d) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 
165.23, as well as the following regulations, apply.
    (2) No vessels, except for support vessels provided by the event 
sponsor, will be allowed to transit the safety zone without the 
permission of the COTP.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or a designated representative. Upon being hailed by a U.S. 
Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light or other means, the 
operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone shall contact the COTP or a designated representative via VHF 
channel 16 or 718-354-4353 (Sector New York command center) to obtain 
permission to do so.

    Dated: March 28, 2014.
G. Loebl,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New York.
[FR Doc. 2014-09366 Filed 4-24-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P