Document ID: USCG-2018-0205-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Barge PFE- LB444, San Joaquin River, Blackslough Landing, CA
Posted Date: 2018-04-17T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 16778-16780]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-08012]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0205]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Barge PFE-LB444, San Joaquin River, Blackslough 
Landing, CA

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 San Joaquin River due to an unstable, partially 
submerged barge with hull number PFE-LB444. The temporary safety zone 
is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment 
from potential hazards created by the barge and associated recovery 
efforts. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San 
Francisco.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from April 17, 2018 
until April 30, 2018. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from March 30, 2018 until April 17, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0205 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 Lieutenant Junior Grade Emily K. Rowan, U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector San Francisco; telephone 415-399-7443, email 
[email protected].

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 of the emergent nature of the 
situation. Delaying the effective date of this rule would be 
impracticable because immediate action is needed protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated 
with the barge and associated recovery efforts.
    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. A barge with hull number PFE-LB444 
broke free from its mooring near Blackslough Landing and sank in the 
navigable channel. This vessel has since been temporarily secured to 
shore. The barge remains in an unstable condition and continues to 
shift in orientation and aspect. A safety zone is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards 
associated with the barge and associated recovery efforts.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Department 
of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, which collectively 
authorize the Coast Guard to establish safety zones. The Captain of the 
Port San Francisco (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the barge and associated recovery efforts starting 
March 30, 2018, will be a safety concern for anyone within a 90-yard 
radius of the barge. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety 
zone.

[[Page 16779]]

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from March 30, 2018 
through April 30, 2018. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters 
within 90 yards of the unstable barge and associated recovery efforts 
centered in approximate position 37[deg]59'41.88'' N, 121[deg]25'8.88'' 
W (NAD 83). The effect of the temporary safety zone is intended to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these 
navigable waters from potential hazards associated with the barge and 
associated recovery efforts. 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. 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 the limited 
duration and narrowly tailored geographic area of the safety zone. 
Although this rule restricts access to the waters encompassed by the 
safety zone, the effect of this rule will not be significant because 
the local waterway users will be notified via public Broadcast Notice 
to Mariners to ensure the safety zone will result in minimum impact. 
The entities most likely to be affected are waterfront facilities, 
commercial vessels, and pleasure craft engaged in recreational 
activities.

B. 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 rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.
    This rule may affect the following entities, some of which may be 
small entities: Owners and operators of waterfront facilities, 
commercial vessels, and pleasure craft engaged in recreational 
activities and sightseeing, if these facilities or vessels are in the 
vicinity of the safety zone at times when this zone is being enforced. 
This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities for the following reasons: (i) This rule will 
encompass only a small portion of the waterway for a limited period of 
time, and (ii) the maritime public will be advised in advance of these 
safety zones via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
    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, which guides 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 safety zones of 
limited size and duration. It is categorically excluded from further 
review under Categorical Exclusion L60(d) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS 
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of Environmental 
Consideration supporting this determination will be prepared and 
submitted after issuance or publication in accordance with DHS 
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.

[[Page 16780]]

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

    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:  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.T11-921 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T11-921   Safety Zone; Barge PFE-LB444, San Joaquin River, 
Blackslough Landing, CA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters within 90 yards of the unstable, partially submerged barge and 
associated recovery efforts centered in approximate position 
37[deg]59'41.88'' N, 121[deg]25'8.88'' W (NAD 83).
    (b) Enforcement period. The zone described in paragraph (a) of this 
section will be enforced from March 30, 2018 through April 30, 2018. 
The Captain of the Port San Francisco (COTP) will notify the maritime 
community of periods during which these zones will be enforced via 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners in accordance with 33 CFR 165.7.
    (c) Definitions. As used in this section, ``designated 
representative'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a 
Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer on a Coast Guard 
vessel or a Federal, State, or local officer designated by or assisting 
the COTP in the enforcement of the safety zone.
    (d) Regulations. (1) Under the general regulations in 33 CFR part 
165, subpart C, entry into, transiting or anchoring within this safety 
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's 
designated representative.
    (2) The safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the COTP or a designated representative.
    (3) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone must contact the COTP or a designated representative to obtain 
permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter or 
operate in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to 
them by the COTP or a designated representative. Persons and vessels 
may request permission to enter the safety zones on VHF-23A or through 
the 24-hour Command Center at telephone (415) 399-3547.

    Dated: March 29, 2018
Anthony J. Ceraolo,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Francisco.
[FR Doc. 2018-08012 Filed 4-16-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P