Document ID: USCG-2023-0068-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Pipeline Installation; Anclote River, Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs, FL
Posted Date: 2023-02-03T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 7360-7361]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-02343]

[[Page 7360]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0068]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Pipeline Installation; Anclote River, Tampa Bay, 
Tarpon Springs, FL

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 the Anclote River, Tampa Bay, Tarpon Springs, 
FL, within 200 yards from the Dredge DIAMOND 6 and Tug LADY LAFON, 
effectively closing the waterway to all traffic. The safety zone is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created by dredge work and installation of the 
pipeline. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port St. 
Petersburg.

DATES: This rule is effective from 6 a.m. on February 6, 2023, through 
7 p.m. on February 10, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0068 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 Marine Science Technician First Class Regina L. Cuevas, 
Sector St. Petersburg Prevention Department, Coast Guard; telephone 
(813) 228-2191, 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 it would be impracticable. The Coast 
Guard lacks sufficient time to provide for a comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing the rule since this rule is 
needed by February 6, 2023. It would be contrary to the public interest 
since immediate action is necessary to protect the safety of the 
public, and vessels transiting the waters of the Anclote River and 
Tampa Bay.
    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 for the same reasons stated in the preceding paragraph.

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 St 
Petersburg (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with 
dredging and pipeline installation starting February 6, 2023, will be a 
safety concern for anyone within 200 yards of the Dredge DIAMOND 6 and 
Tug LADY LAFON. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and 
the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone 
while the dredge pipe is installed.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 6 a.m. on February 6, 
2023, until 7 p.m. on February 10, 2023. The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters of Anclote River, within 200 yards of the Dredge 
DIAMOND 6 and Tug LADY LAFON, which will be in the approximate position 
28[deg]9'21.51'' N, 82[deg]45'58.68'' W. While the zone will be in 
place for two days, it will only be enforced for approximately five 
hours, during the pipe installation. The duration of the zone is 
intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in 
these navigable waters while the dredge pipe installation is occurring. 
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 size, location 
and scope of the safety zone. The zone is limited in size, location, 
and duration as it will cover all navigable waters of the Anclote River 
and Tampa Bay within 200 yards of the Dredge DIAMOND 6 and Tug LADY 
LAFON while they are installing a dredge pipe. The zone is limited in 
scope as vessel traffic may seek permission from the COTP to enter the 
zone. It is limited in duration in that it will only be enforced for 
approximately five hours while the pipe is being installed. Moreover, 
the Coast Guard would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM 
marine channel 16 about the safety 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 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

[[Page 7361]]

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 approximately 5 hours during a dredge pipe 
installation in the Anclote River. 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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T07-0068 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0068  Safety Zone; Pipeline Testing; Anclote River, Tampa 
Bay, Gibsonton, FL.

    (a) Location. The following regulated area is a safety zone: All 
navigable waters of Anclote River, within 200 yards of the Dredge 
DIAMOND 6 and Tug LADY LAFON in the approximate position 28[deg]09'23'' 
N, 082[deg]45'58'' W.
    (b) Definition. The term ``designated representative'' means Coast 
Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty 
officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and 
Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port St. Petersburg in the enforcement of the regulated 
area.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port St. 
Petersburg or a designated representative.
    (2) Designated representatives may control vessel traffic 
throughout the enforcement area as determined by the prevailing 
conditions.
    (3) Persons and vessels may request authorization to enter, transit 
through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated areas by contacting 
the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg by telephone at (727) 824-7506, 
or a designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16. If 
authorization is granted by the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a 
designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such 
authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the 
Port St. Petersburg or a designated representative.
    (d) Effective and enforcement period. This section is effective 
from February 6, 2023, through February 10, 2023. It will only be 
enforced during the installation of a dredge pipe, and that enforcement 
period will be announced by via VHF radio on channel 16.

    Dated: January 27, 2023.
Michael P. Kahle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port St. Petersburg.
[FR Doc. 2023-02343 Filed 2-2-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P