Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/03/04/2014-04626/safety-zones-delaware-river-pea-patch-island-anchorage-no-5-and-reedy-point-south-anchorage-no-3
Timestamp: 2018-02-22 21:13:30
Document Index: 262430804

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 12311', 'art 165', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', 'art 12311', '§\u2009165']

Federal Register :: Safety Zones, Delaware River, Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5 and Reedy Point South Anchorage No. 3
This rule is effective without actual notice from March 4, 2014 until April 22, 2014 unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of the Port. For purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from the date the rule was signed, February 12, 2014, until March 4, 2014.
79 FR 12074
12074-12077 (4 pages)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-04626 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-04626
Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket [USCG-2014-0051]. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. Start Printed Page 12075and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final 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 and contrary to the public interest. Immediate action is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property in the navigable water. Publishing an NPRM is impracticable given that the final details for the dredging operation were not received by the Coast Guard until February 6, 2014. Vessels attempting to anchor in either Pea Patch Island or Reedy Point South Anchorages during pipe-laying or dredging operations may be at risk. Delaying this rule to wait for a notice and comment period to run would be contrary to the public interest as it would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to protect the public from the hazards associated with pipe-laying and dredging operations.
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. Any delay encountered in this regulation's effective date would be contrary to the public interest because immediate action is needed to provide for the safety of life and property from the hazards associated with pipe-laying and dredging operations.
Norfolk Dredging Company has been contracted by the Army Corps of Engineers (ACOE) to conduct maintenance dredging in the Delaware River within New Castle Range in order to maintain channel depth. This project requires the placement of floating and submerged pipeline, along with placement of an anchor barge, within Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5. Due to the presence of the pipeline, vessels are not permitted to anchor within Pea Patch Island Anchorage for the duration of the dredging project. In addition, as the dredging project proceeds south and approaches the entrance of the Chesapeake and Delaware (C & D) Canal, vessels heading north through the Delaware River with intent to transit the Canal will be re-directed through the upper portion of Reedy Point South Anchorage No. 3. This portion of Anchorage No. 3 will be closed for anchoring purposes during this time. Notice of the closure will be broadcast to mariners at the appropriate time. The Captain of the Port will reopen both anchorages once all submerged pipeline has been recovered and dredging operations are complete. At such time, notice that the temporary closure of the anchorages is no longer in effect will be broadcast to mariners. The Captain of the Port is establishing these safety zones to ensure the safety of life and property of all mariners and vessels transiting the local area.
The Coast Guard Captain of the Port is temporarily establishing safety zones closing Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5 and the upper portion of Reedy Point South Anchorage No. 3 to anchoring operations from February 12, 2014 until April 22, 2014, unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of the Port once operations are complete. The safety zones will include all waters within the boundaries of Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5 and all waters within a portion of Reedy Point Anchorage No. 3 above a line drawn between positions 39°33′7.5″ N, 75°33′2.0″ W and 39°33′8.8″ N and 75°32′31.8″ W, as charted on NOAA chart 12311. Vessels will not be permitted to anchor within these areas of Anchorage No. 5 or Anchorage No. 3. The Captain of the Port, Sector Delaware Bay, or her on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF channel 16.
Although this regulation will restrict access to the regulated area, the effect of this rule will not be significant because: (i) The Coast Guard will make extensive notification of the closure to the maritime public via maritime advisories so mariners can alter their plans accordingly, and (ii) this rule will be enforced for only the duration of dredging operations.
(1) This rule will affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to operate, transit, or anchor in Anchorage No. 5 or Anchorage No. 3 from February 12, 2014 until April 22, 2014 unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of the Port once operations are complete.
(2) This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This rule will only be enforced for a short period of time. Before activation of the zone, we will give notice to the public via a Broadcast Notice to Mariners that the regulation is in effect.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), Start Printed Page 12076we 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, above.
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 (NEPA) (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 implementation of regulations within 33 CFR Part 165, applicable to safety zones on the navigable waterways. These zones will temporarily restrict vessel traffic from anchoring in Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5 or Reedy Point South Anchorage No.3 in order to protect the safety of life and property on the waters while submerged dredge pipe-laying and dredging operations are conducted. This rule is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this rule.
2. Add § 165.T05-0051, to read as follows:
§ 165.T05-0051
Safety Zones, Delaware River, Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5 and Reedy Point South Anchorage No. 3.
(a) Regulated Area. The safety zones will include all waters within the boundaries of Pea Patch Island Anchorage No. 5 and all waters within a portion of Reedy Point Anchorage No. 3 above a line drawn between positions 39°33′7.5″ N, 75°33′2.0″ W and 39°33′8.8″ N and 75°32′31.8″ W, as charted on NOAA chart 12311.
(b) Regulations. The general safety zone regulations found in 33 CFR 165.23 apply to the safety zones created by this section § 165.T05-0051.
(1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from entering these zones, except as authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or her designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to transit this safety zone, the Captain of the Port or her designated representative can be contacted via Sector Delaware Bay Command Center (215) 271-4940 or VHF channel 16. Vessels should contact the Dredge ESSEX on VHF channel 13 Start Printed Page 12077or 16 at least 30 minutes prior to arrival for passing information.
(e) Enforcement period. This section is enforced on February 12, 2014 until April 22, 2014, unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of the Port once all operations are complete.
[FR Doc. 2014-04626 Filed 3-3-14; 8:45 am]