Document ID: USCG-2022-0880-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Head of the South Regatta, Savannah River, Augusta, GA
Posted Date: 2022-11-04T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 213 (Friday, November 4, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66550-66552]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-23945]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0880]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Head of the South Regatta, Savannah River, Augusta, 
GA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters of the Savannah River near Augusta, GA for the Head of 
the South Regatta. This temporary safety zone is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards 
created by the rowing regatta. Entry of vessels or persons into this 
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Savannah or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from noon until 5 p.m. on November 11, 
2022 through November 12, 2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2022-0880 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 about this 
notification of enforcement, call or

[[Page 66551]]

email LT Alexander McConnell, Marine Safety Unit Savannah Office of 
Waterways Management, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 912-652-4353 
extension 240, 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 The 
Coast Guard lacks sufficient time to provide for a comment period and 
then consider those comments before issuing the rule. It would be 
contrary to the public interest since the rule is needed by November 
11, 2022 to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, the public, 
and vessels transiting the waters of Augusta, GA during the Head of the 
South Regatta.
    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 a regatta of 
rowing vessels on the Savannah River near Augusta, GA.

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 (COTP) Savannah has determined that 
potential hazards associated with a rowing regatta starting November 
11, 2022, will be a safety concern for anyone on the Savannah River 
between mile markers 197 and 200. This rule is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the safety zone while the rowing regatta is underway.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from noon until 5 
p.m. from November 11, 2022 through November 12, 2022. The safety zone 
will cover all navigable waters of the Savannah River near Augusta, GA 
between mile markers 197 and 200. The duration of the zone is intended 
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these 
navigable waters during the rowing regatta. No vessel or person will 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. 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 rule being 
limited in duration, size, and scope. The temporary safety zone is 
limited in duration and size as it will be enforced for only 10 
cumulative hours over the course of two consecutive days and will cover 
all navigable waters on the Savannah River between mile markers 197 and 
200. The zone is limited in scope as vessels and persons and vessels 
may still enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the areas 
during the enforcement period if authorized by the COTP or a designated 
representative. The Coast Guard will provide notification of the 
regulated area to the local maritime community by Marine Safety 
Information Bulletin.

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 
temporary 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

[[Page 66552]]

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 10 hours that will prohibit entry on 
the Savannah River between mile markers 197 and 200 near Augusta, GA. 
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, 
Revision No. 01.2.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T07-0880 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0880   Safety Zone; Head of the South Regatta, Savannah 
River, Augusta, GA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Savannah River, from surface to bottom, between mile markers 197 to 
200.
    (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 and a 
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port (COTP) Savannah 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) Persons or vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the safety zone may contact COTP Savannah by 
telephone at (912) 247-0073, 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 
Marine Safety Information Bulletins, and on-scene designated 
representatives.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from noon 
until 5 p.m. from November 11, 2022 through November 12, 2022.

    Dated: October 31, 2022.
K.A. Broyles,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Savannah, GA.
[FR Doc. 2022-23945 Filed 11-3-22; 8:45 am]
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