Document ID: USCG-2021-0679-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Special Local Regulation; Tennessee River, Mile Markers 462.7–465.5, Chattanooga, TN
Posted Date: 2021-09-07T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 7, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 49943-49945]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-19104]

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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0679]
RIN 1625-AA08

Special Local Regulation; Tennessee River, Mile Markers 462.7-
465.5, Chattanooga, TN

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary special 
local regulation for navigable waters on the Tennessee River from mile 
462.7 to mile 465.5. The special local regulation is needed to protect 
life and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the 
Chattajack rowing event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Sector Ohio Valley or a designated representative. We invite your 
comments on this proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before September 22, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0679 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email Petty Officer First Class Nicholas 
Jones and Marine Safety Detachment Nashville, U.S. Coast Guard; 
telephone 615-736-5421, email Nicholas.J.Jones@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, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    The Coast Guard was notified by Chattajack LLC of a proposed rowing 
event on the Tennessee River. The event would take place on October 23, 
2021 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. However, the requested river closure was for 
the first 2 hours of the race, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.. The COTP has 
determined that there is a need to protect the participants of the 
rowing event due to the high concentration of rowers at the start of 
the event between MM 462.7 and MM 465.5 on the Tennessee River. The 
Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 
(previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The COTP has determined that there is a 
need to provide additional safety measures for the participants in the 
Chattajack rowing event, and a temporary special local regulation is 
needed. This propsed rule is needed to protect life and the marine 
environment in the navigable waters within the temporary special local 
regulation during the first two hours of the event.
    The purpose of this proposed rulemaking is to ensure the safety of 
the participants in the Chattjack event within a 2.8 mile span of the 
river where there will be a high concentration of rowers.. The Coast 
Guard is proposing this rulemaking under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 
(previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).
    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 as the temporary 
special local regulation has to be established by October 23, 2021 to 
provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    This proposed rule would establish a special local regulation from 
7 a.m. until 9 a.m. on October 23, 2021. The proposed temporary special 
local regulation would cover all navigable waters of the Tennessee 
River between miles 462.7 to 465.5. The duration of the regulated area 
is intended to protect the rowers in the Chattajack event during the 
period where there will be a high concentration of rowers. No vessel or 
person would be permitted to enter the special local regulation without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. 
Persons or vessels seeking to enter the special local regulation must 
request permission from the COTP or a designated representative on VHF-
FM radio channel 16 or phone at 1-800-253-7465. If permission is 
granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or designated representative. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public of the enforcement times and date 
for this special local regulation through

[[Page 49944]]

Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to Mariners, and/or Safety 
Marine Information Broadcasts as appropriate.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed 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 NPRM has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the special local regulation. 
The proppsed special local regulation would last for only two hours, 
after which time vessels will be able to transit freely. Moreover, the 
Coast Guard would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM 
marine channel 16 about the area, and the rule would allow vessels to 
seek permission to enter the area.

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 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
special local regulation may be small entities, for the reasons stated 
in section IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant 
economic impact on any vessel owner or operator.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.
    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 proposed 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. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any 
policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments) because it would 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 proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please call or email the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed 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 made 
a preliminary determination 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 proposed rule involves a special 
local regulation lasting 30 minutes that would prohibit entry within 
2.8 miles of the Tennessee River. Normally such actions are 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L[61] and 
L[63a] of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, 
Rev. 1. For instructions on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES 
section of this preamble. We seek any comments or information that may 
lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this 
proposed rule.

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.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

[[Page 49945]]

CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and 
submissions in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System 
of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
    Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket, 
and all public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up 
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a 
final rule is published.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is 
proposing to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:

PART 100--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05-1.

0
2. Add Sec.  100.T08-0679 to read as follows:

Sec.  100.T08-0679  Tennessee River MM 462.7 to 465.5

    (a) Regulated area. The regulations in this section apply to the 
following area: Tennessee River MM 462.7 to 465.5 extending the entire 
width of the river.
    (b) Regulations. (1) All non-participants are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area described in paragraph (a) of this section unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) or 
their designated representative.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by phone at 502-779-5422. Those in the regulated area 
must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the 
COTP or the designated representative.
    (3) The COTP will provide notice of the regulated area through 
advanced notice via broadcast notice to mariners and local notice to 
mariners.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7 a.m. 
to 9 a.m. on October 23, 2021.

    Dated: August 27, 2021.
A.M. Beach,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley.
[FR Doc. 2021-19104 Filed 9-3-21; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P