Document ID: USCG-2018-0009-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Special Local Regulation; Black Warrior River; Tuscaloosa, AL
Posted Date: 2018-02-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 24 (Monday, February 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5035-5037]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-02159]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0009]
RIN 1625-AA08

Special Local Regulation; Black Warrior River; Tuscaloosa, AL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local 
regulation on the Black Warrior River extending the entire width of the 
river from mile marker 339.0 to mile marker 341.5 in Tuscaloosa, AL. 
The special local regulation is needed to protect the persons 
participating in the NCAA Collegiate Rowing Competition marine event. 
Entry into, transiting through, or exiting from this regulated area is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Sector Mobile, or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m. until noon on February 24, 
2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0009 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 Kyle D. Berry, Sector Mobile, Waterways 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 251-441-5940, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Mobile
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
PATCOM Patrol Commander
Sec. 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 doing so would be impracticable. The 
event sponsors have informed the U.S. Coast Guard that a marine event 
will occur on February 24, 2018. After gathering all necessary 
information, including safety needs related to this event, the Coast 
Guard determined that this special local regulation is necessary for 
this event. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must 
establish this special local regulation by February 24, 2018 and lack 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing this rule.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this temporary rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest 
because immediate action is necessary to protect persons and property 
from the dangers associated with the rowing event.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1233. The Captain of the Port Sector Mobile (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the rowing event on February 24, 2018 
will be a safety concern for anyone within the area of the Black 
Warrior River between mile markers 339.0 and 341.5. This rule is needed 
to protect participants, spectators, and other persons and vessels 
during the rowing event on navigable waters.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a special local regulation on February 24, 
2018, which will be enforced between the 6 a.m. and noon. The special 
local regulation takes place on the Black Warrior River between mile 
markers 339.0 and 341.5, extending the entire width of the navigable 
channel. The duration of the regulation is intended to protect 
participants, spectators, and other persons and vessels before, during, 
and after the rowing event. No vessel or person will be permitted to 
enter into, transit through, or exist the regulated area without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.
    The Coast Guard will patrol the regatta area under the direction of 
the COTP, or a designated representative. A designated representative 
may be a Coast Guard Patrol Commander (PATCOM). Patrol Commander 
(PATCOM) means a Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer 
who has been designated by the COTP to monitor the rowing area, permit 
entry into the area, give legally enforceable orders to persons or 
vessels within the area, and take other actions authorized by the COTP. 
The PATCOM will be aboard either a Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary 
vessel. The PATCOM may be contacted on Channel 16 (156.8 MHZ) by the 
call sign ``Coast Guard Patrol Commander.''
    All persons and vessels not registered with the event sponsor as 
participants or official patrol vessels are considered spectators. The 
``official patrol vessels'' consist of any Coast Guard, state, or local 
law enforcement and sponsor provided vessels assigned or approved by 
the COTP to patrol the regulated area.
    Spectator vessels desiring to enter, transit through or within, or 
exit the regulated area may request permission to do so from the COTP 
or a PATCOM. When permitted to transit the area vessels must follow 
restrictions within the regulated area as directed by the Coast Guard, 
and must operate at a minimum safe navigation speed in a manner which 
will not endanger participants in the regulated area or any other 
vessels.
    No spectator vessel shall anchor, block, loiter, or impede the 
through transit of participants or official patrol vessels in the 
regulated area during the effective dates and times, unless cleared for 
entry by or through an official patrol vessel.

[[Page 5036]]

    Any spectator vessel may anchor outside the regulated area, but may 
not anchor in, block, or loiter in a navigable channel. Spectator 
vessels may be moored to a waterfront facility within the regulated 
area in such a way that they shall not interfere with the progress of 
the event. Such mooring must be complete at least 30 minutes prior to 
the establishment of the regulated area and remain moored through the 
duration of the event.
    The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control the 
movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or signaled 
by an official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an immediate stop 
and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in 
expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or both.
    The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the event or 
the operation of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for the 
protection of life or property. The COTP or a designated representative 
will terminate enforcement of the special local regulations at the 
conclusion of the event.

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. Executive Order 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 Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by 
the Office of Management and Budget 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 size, 
location, duration, and time-of-year of the regulation. The special 
local regulation will take place on a 2.5 mile stretch of the Black 
Warrior River between mile markers 339.0 and 341.5, during a short 
duration of six hours on February 24, 2018, which is a time of year 
experiencing lower than normal traffic. Moreover, the Coast Guard will 
issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about 
the regulation so that waterway users may plan accordingly for transits 
during this restriction. The rule also allows vessels to seek 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative to enter the 
regulated 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 
regulated area 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 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 
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 a special local regulation 
lasting only six hours on the Black Warrior River between mile markers 
339.0 and 341.5. It is categorically excluded from further

[[Page 5037]]

review under paragraph L61 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction 
Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of Environmental Consideration 
(REC) supporting this determination is available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES.

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

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

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard 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; 33 CFR 1.05-1.

0
2. Add Sec.  100.35T08-0009 to read as follows:

Sec.  100.35T08-0009  Special Local Regulation; Black Warrior River, 
Tuscaloosa, AL.

    (a) Regulated area. All navigable waters of the Black Warrior River 
between mile markers 339.0 and 341.5, Tuscaloosa, AL.
    (b) Period of enforcement. This section will be enforced from 6 
a.m. until noon on February 24, 2018.
    (c) Special local regulations. (1) In accordance with the general 
regulations in Sec.  100.801, entry into, transit within or through, or 
exit from this area is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of 
the Port Sector Mobile (COTP) or a designated representative. A 
designated representative may be a Patrol Commander (PATCOM). The 
PATCOM will be aboard either a Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary 
vessel. The Patrol Commander may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM 
(156.8 MHz) by the call sign ``PATCOM''.
    (2) All persons and vessels not registered with the event sponsor 
as participants or official patrol vessels are considered spectators. 
The ``official patrol vessels'' consist of any Coast Guard, state, or 
local law enforcement and sponsor provided vessels assigned or approved 
by the COTP to patrol the regulated area.
    (3) Spectator vessels desiring to transit the regulated area may do 
so only with prior approval of the COTP or a designated representative 
and when so directed by that officer will be operated at a minimum safe 
navigation speed in a manner which will not endanger participants in 
the regulated area or any other vessels.
    (4) No spectator vessel shall anchor, block, loiter, or impede the 
through transit of participants or official patrol vessels in the 
regulated area during the effective dates and times, unless cleared for 
entry by or through an official patrol vessel.
    (5) Any spectator vessel may anchor outside the regulated area, but 
may not anchor in, block, or loiter in a navigable channel. Spectator 
vessels may be moored to a waterfront facility within the regulated 
area in such a way that they shall not interfere with the progress of 
the event. Such mooring must be complete at least 30 minutes prior to 
the establishment of the regulated area and remain moored through the 
duration of the event.
    (6) The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control 
the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or 
signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an 
immediate stop and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so 
may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, 
or both.
    (7) The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the event 
or the operation of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for 
the protection of life or property.
    (8) The COTP or a designated representative will terminate 
enforcement of the special local regulations at the conclusion of the 
event.
    (d) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public through broadcast notices to 
mariners of the enforcement period for the regulated area as well as 
any changes in the date and times of enforcement.

    Dated: January 26, 2018.
M.R. Mclellan,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Mobile.
[FR Doc. 2018-02159 Filed 2-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P