Document ID: USCG-2022-0425-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Corte Madera Channel, Larkspur, CA
Posted Date: 2022-05-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 104 (Tuesday, May 31, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32309-32311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-11551]

[[Page 32309]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0425]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Corte Madera Channel, Larkspur, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters within 150-feet of the overhead electrical 
transmission lines crossing Corte Madera Channel in Larkspur, CA. The 
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by the transfer of overhead 
transmission lines, which cross the channel, from one tower to another. 
Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, 
transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without the 
permission of the Captain of the Port San Francisco or a designated 
representative.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This rule is effective from 9 a.m. on May 31, 2022, 
through 12:30 p.m. on June 10, 2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2022-0425 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant William Harris, Sector San Francisco Waterways 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; 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 the Coast Guard did not receive final 
details for this project until May 17, 2022. It is impracticable to go 
through the full notice and comment rule making process because the 
Coast Guard must establish this safety zone by May 31, 2022, and lacks 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and to consider 
those comments before issuing the rule.
    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 the effective date of 
this rule would be contrary to public interest because action is 
necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment 
from the potential safety hazards created by the transfer of electrical 
transmission lines, which cross the Corte Madera Channel, from one 
tower to a newly constructed one beginning on May 31, 2022.

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 San 
Francisco (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with 
the transfer of the overhead electrical transmission lines, which cross 
the Corte Madera Channel from one tower to a newly constructed one 
starting May 31, 2022, will be a safety concern for anyone within a 
150-feet on either side of the overhead transmission lines. For this 
reason, this temporary safety zone is needed to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the 
safety zone while the overhead lines are being transferred.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., 
10:15 a.m. until 11:15 a.m., and 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on each 
day from May 31, 2022, through June 3, 2022, and each day from June 6, 
2022, through June 10, 2022. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters within 150-feet of a line connecting the following points: 
37[deg]56'30.6'' N by 122[deg]30'19.7'' W to 37[deg]56'38.1'' N by 
122[deg]30'16.8'' W. The duration of the zone is intended to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable 
waters while the overhead lines are being transferred. No vessel or 
person will be permitted to enter into, transit through, or remain in 
the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a 
designated representative. A ``designated representative'' means a 
Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty 
officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel, or a Federal, 
State, or local officer designated by or assisting the COTP in the 
enforcement of the safety zone.

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. 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).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the limited size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. This safety 
zone will impact a small designated area of the Corte Madera Channel 
for three, one-hour periods over eight days, with 24 fifteen-minute 
windows designated to allow the safe transit of vessels, including 
ferries, through the safety zone. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue 
a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the 
zone. Any vessels or persons desiring to transit through or around the 
temporary safety zone may do so upon express permission from the COTP 
or the COTP's designated representative.

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

[[Page 32310]]

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 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 
temporary safety zone lasting only three one-hour periods, daily over 
eight days that will prohibit entry within 150-feet of a line 
connecting the following points: 37[deg]56'30.6'' N by 
122[deg]30'19.7'' W to 37[deg]56'38.1'' N by 122[deg]30'16.8'' W. 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. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T11-097 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T11-097  Safety Zone; Corte Madera Channel, Larkspur, CA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Corte Madera Channel, from surface to bottom, 150-feet on 
either side of a line connecting the following points beginning at 
37[deg]56'30.6'' N, 122[deg]30'19.7'' W, thence to 37[deg]56'38.1'' N, 
122[deg]30'16.8'' W or as announced via Broadcast Notice to Mariners. 
These coordinates are based on North American Datum 83 (NAD 83).
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, ``designated 
representative'' means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a 
Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast 
Guard vessel, or a Federal, State, and Local officer designated by or 
assisting the Captain of the Port San Francisco (COTP) in the 
enforcement of the safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in 
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the 
COTP's designated representative.
    (2) During the enforcement periods, the safety zone is closed to 
all vessel traffic, except as may be permitted by the COTP or the 
COTP's designated representative.
    (3) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone must contact the COTP or the COTP's designated representative to 
obtain permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter 
or operate in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or 
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated 
representative. Persons and vessels may request permission to enter the 
safety zone on VHF-23A or through the 24-hour Command Center at 
telephone (415) 399-3547.
    (d) Enforcement periods. This section will be enforced from 9 a.m. 
until 10 a.m., 10:15 a.m. until 11:15 a.m., and

[[Page 32311]]

11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. on each day from May 31, 2022, through June 
3, 2022, and each day from June 6, 2022, through June 10, 2022.
    (e) Information broadcasts. The COTP or the COTP's designated 
representative will notify the maritime community of periods during 
which this zone will be enforced, in accordance with Sec.  165.7.

    Dated: May 24, 2022.
Taylor Q. Lam,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Francisco.
[FR Doc. 2022-11551 Filed 5-27-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P