Document ID: USCG-2017-0973-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone, Savannah River, Savannah, GA
Posted Date: 2017-10-31T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50315-50317]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23616]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0973]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone, Savannah River, Savannah, GA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters on the Savannah River in Savannah, GA from statute 
mile 13 to statute mile 15. The safety zone is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards 
created by a boat parade. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port 
(COTP) Savannah or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on November 25, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0973 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 Adam White, Marine Safety Unit Savannah Office of 
Waterways Management, Coast Guard; telephone 912-652-4353, extension 
233, or 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 doing so would be impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. Immediate action is needed to respond 
to the potential safety hazards associated with a boat parade. The 
Coast Guard received information on October 5, 2017 regarding the 
operations beginning on November 25, 2017. The operation would begin 
before the rulemaking process would be completed. Because of the 
dangers posed by the parade, the safety zone is necessary to provide 
for the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
event area. Therefore, it is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest to delay promulgating this rule, as it is necessary to protect 
the safety of waterway users.
    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 
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the boat 
parade.

[[Page 50316]]

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The COTP Savannah has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the boat parade starting November 25, 2017, will be a 
safety concern for anyone on the Savannah River in Savannah, GA from 
statute mile 13 to statute mile 15. This rule is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the safety zone while the parade is underway.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 4 p.m. until 11 p.m. on 
November 25, 2017. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters on 
the Savannah River from statute mile 13 to statute mile 15. The 
duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment in these navigable waters while the parade is 
underway. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter, transit 
through, anchor in, or remain within 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, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. The safety zone 
affects only a small portion of the Savannah River for seven hours 
during the evening when vessel traffic is normally lower. Moreover, 
vessels and persons seeking to enter, transit through, anchor in, or 
remain within the regulated area may seek authority from the COTP or a 
designated representative. The Coast Guard will provide notification of 
the regulated area to the local maritime community by Local Notice to 
Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16, 
and Marine Safety Security Bulletin release.

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 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 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 a safety zone lasting only seven hours that will prohibit 
entry on the Savannah River in Savannah, GA from statute mile 13 to 
statute mile 15. It is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A Record 
of

[[Page 50317]]

Environmental Consideration 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 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 Delegations No. 
0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T07-0973 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0973  Safety Zone; Savannah Harbor Boat Parade, Savannah 
River, Savannah, GA.

    (a) Regulated area. The following regulated area is a safety zone: 
All waters of the Savannah River from statute mile 13 to statute mile 
15.
    (b) Definition. As used in this section, ``designated 
representative'' means Coast Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast 
Guard coxswains, petty officers, and other officers operating Coast 
Guard vessels or aircraft, and federal, state, and local officers 
designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port (COTP) Savannah in 
the enforcement of the regulated areas.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area of the safety zone unless authorized by the COTP 
Savannah or a designated representative.
    (2) Persons or vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the safety zone may contact COTP Savannah by 
telephone at (912) 652-4353, or a designated representative via VHF 
radio on channel 16, to request authorization. If authorization to 
enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated area 
is granted by the COTP Savannah or a designated representative, all 
persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with the 
instructions of the COTP Savannah or a designated representative.
    (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated areas by 
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, Marine Safety 
Security Bulletins, and on-scene designated representatives.
    (e) Effective and enforcement period. This rule is effective and 
will be enforced on November 25, 2017 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.

    Dated: October 24, 2017.
Norman C. Witt,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Savannah.
[FR Doc. 2017-23616 Filed 10-30-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P