Document ID: USCG-2016-0306-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone, Cape Fear River; Southport, NC
Posted Date: 2016-05-04T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 86 (Wednesday, May 4, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26695-26697]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-10310]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0306]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone, Cape Fear River; Southport, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
navigable waters of the Cape Fear River near Southport, North Carolina. 
This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from a 
portion of the Cape Fear River during the Barrier Island Challenge 
Stand Up Paddle Board Race. This action is necessary to protect the 
safety of race participants when they cross the Lower Swash Channel of 
the Cape Fear River. Entry into or movement within the safety zone 
during the enforcement period is prohibited without approval of the 
Captain of the Port.

DATES: This rule is effective on May 7, 2016, from 9:30 a.m. through 
11:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0306 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 LCDR Derek J. Burrill, Waterways Management Division 
Chief, Sector North Carolina, Coast Guard; telephone (910) 772-2230, 
email Derek.J.Burrill@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
E.O. Executive Order
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Pub. L. Public Law
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 final details of this event were not 
provided until April 12, 2016, making it impracticable to publish an 
NPRM.
    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. Delaying the effective 
date of this rule would be contrary to public interest because 
immediate action is needed to protect race participants and spectators 
from the hazards associated with a paddleboard race.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The Captain of the Port North Carolina (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the Barrier Island Challenge Paddle 
Board Race on May 07, 2016 will be a safety concern when race 
participants cross the Lower Swash Channel on the Cape Fear River, 
Southport, North Carolina, a major shipping channel. This rule is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
navigable waters within the safety zone.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
navigable waters of the Lower Swash Channel on the Cape Fear River. The 
safety zone will encompass all waters within a shape bounded by the 
following coordinates: 33[deg]55'05'' N., 078[deg]00'04'' W.; 
33[deg]54'57'' N., 078[deg]00'04'' W.; 33[deg]54'56'' N., 
078[deg]00'54'' W.; 33[deg]55'04'' N., 078[deg]00'54'' W.; thence back 
to the point of origin (NAD 83) in Southport, North Carolina. This 
safety zone will be established in the interest of public safety due to 
the participants crossing the Cape Fear River. This rule will be 
enforced on May 07, 2016 during the times of 9:30 a.m. through 11:30 
a.m., unless otherwise cancelled earlier by the COTP.
    Except for vessels authorized by the Captain of the Port or her 
Representative, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the safety 
zone during the time frame listed. The Captain of the Port will give 
notice of the enforcement of the safety zone by all appropriate means 
to provide the widest dissemination of notice among the affected 
segments of the public. This will include publication in the Local 
Notice to Mariners and Marine Information Broadcasts.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive Orders (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on a number of these statutes and E.O.s, and we discuss 
First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    E.O.s 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. 
E.O. 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 E.O. 12866. Accordingly,

[[Page 26696]]

it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
    The primary impact of these regulations will be on limiting all 
vessels wishing to transit the affected waterways during enforcement of 
the safety zone on the Cape Fear River within all waters within a shape 
bounded by the following coordinates: 33[deg]55'05'' N., 
078[deg]00'04'' W.; 33[deg]54'57'' N., 078[deg]00'04'' W.; 
33[deg]54'56'' N., 078[deg]00'54'' W.; 33[deg]55'04'' N., 
078[deg]00'54'' W.; thence back to the point of origin (NAD 83) in 
Southport, North Carolina on May 07, 2016 from 9:30 a.m. through 11:30 
a.m., unless otherwise cancelled by the COTP. Although these 
regulations prevent traffic from transiting a portion of the Cape Fear 
River during this event, that restriction is limited in duration, 
affects only a limited area, and will be well publicized to allow 
mariners to make alternative plans for transiting the affected area.

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 
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 E.O. 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 E.O. 13132.
    Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under E.O. 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 the establishment of a safety zone to limit vessels 
within all waters within a shape bounded by the following coordinates: 
33[deg]55'05'' N., 078[deg]00'04'' W.; 33[deg]54'57'' N., 
078[deg]00'04'' W.; 33[deg]54'56'' N., 078[deg]00'54'' W.; 
33[deg]55'04'' N., 078[deg]00'54'' W.; thence back to the point of 
origin (NAD 83) in Southport, North Carolina on May 07, 2016 from 9:30 
a.m. through 11:30 a.m. to protect life and property of mariners from 
the hazards associated with the event. It is categorically excluded 
from further review under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the 
Commandant Instruction. 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 100

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard 
temporarily amends 33 CFR part 100 as follows:

PART 100--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233

0
2. Add Sec.  100.35-T05-0306 to read as follows:

Sec.  100.35-T05-0306  Safety Zone, Cape Fear River; Southport, North 
Carolina

    (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, Captain of the 
Port means the Commander, Sector North Carolina.
    Representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty 
officer who has been authorized to act on the behalf of the Captain of 
the Port.
    (b) Location. The following area is a safety zone: Specified waters 
of the Captain of the Port Sector North Carolina zone, as defined in 33 
CFR 3.25-10, all waters of the Cape Fear

[[Page 26697]]

River within a shape bounded by the following coordinates: 
33[deg]55'05'' N., 078[deg]00'04'' W.; 33[deg]54'57'' N., 
078[deg]00'04'' W.; 33[deg]54'56'' N., 078[deg]00'54'' W.; 
33[deg]55'04'' N., 078[deg]00'54'' W.; thence back to the point of 
origin (NAD 83) in Southport, North Carolina.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port, North Carolina or her designated 
representatives.
    (2) The operator of any vessel in the immediate vicinity of this 
safety zone shall:
    (i) If on scene proceed as directed by any commissioned, warrant or 
petty officer on shore or on board a vessel that is displaying a U.S. 
Coast Guard Ensign.
    (3) The Captain of the Port, North Carolina can be reached through 
the Sector North Carolina Command Duty Officer at Sector North Carolina 
in Wilmington, North Carolina at telephone number (910) 343-3882.
    (4) The Coast Guard Representatives enforcing the safety zone can 
be contacted on VHF-FM marine band radio channel 13 (165.65 Mhz) and 
channel 16 (156.8 Mhz).
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced on May 07, 
2016, from 9:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m., unless otherwise cancelled by 
the COTP.

    Dated: April 19, 2016.
J.S. Dufresne,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 2016-10310 Filed 5-3-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P