Document ID: USCG-2020-0057-0003
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Monongahela River Mile 28.0 to Mile 30.0, Pittsburgh, PA
Posted Date: 2020-03-03T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 42 (Tuesday, March 3, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12439-12440]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04387]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2020-0057]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Monongahela River Mile 28.0 to Mile 30.0, 
Pittsburgh, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
mile 28.0 to mile 30.0 of the Monongahela River. This action is 
necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters 
near Mitchell Power Plant, Pittsburgh, PA, during an electrical 
conducter pull from March 2, 2020 through March 20, 2020. This 
rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety 
zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from March 3, 2020 
through March 20, 2020. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice 
will be used from March 2, 2020 until March 3, 2020.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2020-0057 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 MST2 Trevor Vannatta, Waterways Management U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone 412-221-0807, email Trevor.J.Vannata@uscg.mil.

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

    On November 12, 2019, the Duquesne Light Company notified the Coast 
Guard that it will be conducting an electrical conducter pull on March 
2, 2020, in order to replace an existing electrical conductor with a 
new higher ampacity electrical conductor. In response, on February 3, 
2020, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
titled ``Safety Zone; Monongahela River Mile 28.0 to Mile 30.0, 
Pittsburgh, PA'', (85 FR 5911, Feb. 3, 2020). That NPRM comment period 
does not close until March 4, 2020. The Coast Guard is unable to delay 
implementing this final rule to await the close of the comment period 
becuase the start date of the electrical conductor pull is March 2, 
2020.
    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 immediate action is needed to 
mitigate potential safety hazards associated with the process of 
pulling the new cables across the Monongahela River. It is 
impracticable to publish an NPRM and consider the comments before 
issuing this final rule because we must establish this safety zone by 
March 2, 2020, when the electrical pulling is scheduled to start.
    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 impracticable because immediate action is needed to 
protect vessels and persons during the replacement of old powerlines 
crossing the Monongahela River beginning on March 2, 2020.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the replacement of powerlines between 
March 2, 2020 through March 20, 2020 will be a safety concern for 
anyone between Mile 28.0-30.0 on the Monongahela River. The purpose of 
this rule is to ensure safety of vessels and the navigable waters in 
the safety zone before, during, and after the scheduled work.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from March 2, 2020 through 
March 20, 2020. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters from 
mile 28.0 to mile 30.0 on the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, PA. 
The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels 
and these navigable waters before, during, and after a scheduled 
maintenance activity. No vessel or person would 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 size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. The safety zone will impact 
a 2-mile stretch of the Monongahela River for 19 days, and vessel 
traffic would be able to safely transit around this safety zone. 
Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners 
via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule would allow 
vessels to seek permission to enter the zone.

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

[[Page 12440]]

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 received 0 comments 
from the Small Business Administration on this rulemaking. 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 
IV.A above, thisrule would 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 
safety zone lasting from March 2, 2020 through March 20, 2020 from mile 
28.0 to mile 30.0 on the Monongahela River near Pittsburgh, PA. 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. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0057 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0057  Safety Zone; Monongahela, Mile 28.0 to Mile 30.0, 
Pittsburgh, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Monongahela River from mile 28.0 to mile 30.0.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from March 2, 2020 
through March 20, 2020.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry of persons and vessels into this zone is prohibited 
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated representative.
    (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the 
zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. The COTP's representative may be contacted at 412-221-
0807.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or a designated representative. Designated COTP 
representatives include United States Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, and petty officer.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The Captain COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public through Local Notice to Mariners 
(LNMs), Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Marine Safety 
Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate.

    Dated: February 27, 2020.
A.W. Demo,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2020-04387 Filed 3-2-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P