Document ID: USCG-2021-0020-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 368 and 370, Natchez, MS
Posted Date: 2021-01-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 13 (Friday, January 22, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 6566-6568]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-01329]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0020]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile Marker 368 and 370, 
Natchez, MS

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River (LMR), between Mile 
Marker 368 and 370. The safety zone is needed to protect persons, 
property, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards 
associated with line pulling operations in the vicinity of the Natchez, 
MS. Entry of persons or vessels into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi River or 
a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from January 22, 
2021 until February 5, 2021. For the purposes of enforcement, actual 
notice will be used from January 14, 2021 until January 22, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0020 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 MSTC Lindsey Swindle, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 901-
521-4813, email Lindsey.M.Swindle@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
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 is impracticable. Immediate action 
is needed to protect persons and property from the potential safety 
hazards associated with line pulling operations. The NPRM process would 
delay the establishment of the safety zone until after the date of the 
event and compromise public safety. We must establish this temporary 
safety zone immediately and lack sufficient time to provide a 
reasonable comment period and then 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 the public interest because immediate 
action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated 
with the line pulling operations in the vicinity of Natchez, MS.

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 (COTP) 
Sector Lower Mississippi River (LMR) has determined that potential 
hazards associated with the line pulling operations at Mile Marker (MM) 
369.0, scheduled to start on January 14, 2021, would be a safety 
concern for all persons and vessels on the Lower Mississippi River 
between MM 368.0 and MM 370.0 through February 5, 2021. This rule is 
needed to protect persons, property, infrastructure, and the marine 
environment in all waters of the LMR within the safety zone while line 
pulling operations are being conducted.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from January 14, 2021 
to February 5, 2021. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters of 
the LMR from MM 368.0 to MM 370.0. The duration of this safety zone is 
intended to ensure the safety of waterway users on these navigable 
waters during, the line pulling operations.
    Entry of persons or vessels into this safety zone is prohibited 
unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative. A 
designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer 
of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control 
of USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River. Persons or vessels seeking to 
enter the safety zones must request permission from the COTP or a 
designated representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 901-
521-4822. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall 
comply with the instructions of the COTP or

[[Page 6567]]

designated representative. The COTP or a designated representative will 
inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this safety 
zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to 
Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as 
appropriate.

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. Vessel traffic will be 
prohibited from entering this temporary safety zone, which will impact 
a one-mile stretch of Lower Mississippi River for approximately 23 
days. Moreover, The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the safety zone, and the 
rule allows 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 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 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 that will prohibit entry on a one-mile stretch of the Lower 
Mississippi River. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph L60 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;

[[Page 6568]]

Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0020 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0020  Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi river, Mile Marker 
368 and 370, Natchez, MS.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Lower Mississippi River from Mile Marker (MM) 368 through 
MM 370.
    (b) 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 Captain of the 
Port Sector Lower Mississippi River (COTP) or the COTP's designated 
representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, 
or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the 
operational control of USCG Sector Lower Mississippi River.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 901-521-4822. 
Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or 
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated 
representative.
    (c) Effective period. This section is effective without actual 
notice from January 22, 2021 until February 5, 2021. For the purposes 
of enforcement, actual notice will be used from January 14, 2021 until 
January 22, 2021.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this 
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to 
Mariners, and/or Safety Marine Information Broadcasts, as appropriate.

    Dated: January 13, 2021.
R.S. Rhodes,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Lower Mississippi 
River.
[FR Doc. 2021-01329 Filed 1-21-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P