Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2014/11/17/2014-27168/regulated-navigation-area-lake-michigan-chicago-harbor-lock-chicago-il-to-calumet-harbor-chicago-il
Timestamp: 2017-08-17 14:39:52
Document Index: 166776042

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 148', 'art 45', '§\u2009165', '§\u2009165', 'art 148', 'art 45']

Federal Register :: Regulated Navigation Area, Lake Michigan; Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, IL to Calumet Harbor, Chicago, IL
Regulated Navigation Area, Lake Michigan; Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, IL to Calumet Harbor, Chicago, IL
A Rule by the Coast Guard on 11/17/2014
This rule is effective from November 17, 2014 until March 31, 2015. This rule has been enforced with actual notice from November 1, 2014 until November 17, 2014.
79 FR 68366
68366-68370 (5 pages)
Docket No. USCG-2014-0592
2014-27168
USCG-2014-0592
D. Discussion of the Final Rule
Uninspected Dry Cargo Barges
Coast Guard Inspected River Barges
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-27168 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2014-27168
The Coast Guard is establishing a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) for the waters of Lake Michigan within 5 nautical miles from shore from the Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois to Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois. This RNA is intended to allow barges to transit on an alternate route on a portion of Lake Michigan due to the temporary closure of the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock on RM 326.5 on the Calumet River. This RNA is necessary to ensure vessel safety and facilitate commerce.
This rule is effective from November 17, 2014 until March 31, 2015. This rule has been enforced with Start Printed Page 68367actual notice from November 1, 2014 until November 17, 2014.
Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket USCG-2014-0592. 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. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
If you have questions on this temporary rule, contact or email MST1 John Ng, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago, at 630-986-2155 or John.H.Ng@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 1-800-647-5527.
On September 4, 2014, the Coast Guard published an NPRM in the Federal Register entitled “Regulated Navigation Area; Lake Michigan, Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, IL to Calumet Harbor, Chicago, IL” (79 FR 52591). We received two comments in response to the NRPM. Those comments are addressed below. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.
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. On June 4, 2014, the Coast Guard, industry stakeholders, and the Army Corps of Engineers discussed the closure of the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and alternatives for affected barge traffic. The need for an RNA arose out of these discussions, and the Coast Guard began the rulemaking process for a temporary RNA. However, there was insufficient time for both notice and comment and delaying the effective date of the rule. Waiting 30 days after publication to make the rule effective would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest because it would not allow the RNA to be enforced starting after November 1, 2014, when it is needed to ensure vessel safety and facilitate commerce.
The legal basis for this rule is the Coast Guard's authority to establish RNAs and limited access areas: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
Between November 3, 2014, and March 6, 2015, the United States Army Corps of Engineers anticipates closing the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock for two 47-day periods in order to perform maintenance on the lock. The Thomas J. O'Brien Lock closures present a significant challenge to the barge industry and an alternate route is necessary in order to sustain commerce. Further, safe operating requirements for this temporary alternate route are necessary to ensure safety of transiting barge traffic.
We received two comments in response to the NPRM. The first comment indicated that the environmental analysis for the proposed rule lacked information about the environmental impact of barge traffic. This comment recommends the inclusion of relevant studies, if any, on the impact of barge traffic on the environment in the proposed rule's environmental analysis.
We have made no change to the final rule in light of this comment. The environmental checklist and categorical exclusion, included in the docket, address the environmental analysis of this rule. In short, we determined after a thorough review, that the application of U.S. Coast Guard categorical exclusion 34(g) is appropriate in this case. Having made this determination, no further environmental analysis and documentation is required. However, as we note later on, we welcome any comments or information that may lead to discovery of a significant environmental impact from this rule.
A second comment voiced support for the temporary RNA as a practical solution for commercial traffic during the closure of the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock. We made no change to the final rule in light of this comment.
Further, we have made editorial changes to the regulatory text of the rule for clarification. As to the first change, we've inserted the phrase “within the effective period” under paragraph 2(b) of the regulatory text. This phrase explains that any change in the enforcement period for which we give notice will occur within the effective period of the rule (November 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015). We further deleted the phrase “In accordance with 46 CFR 45.171” and added the word “same” under paragraph 2(c)(1) to clarify that only certain provisions of 46 CFR 45.171 are adopted for purposes of this rule; these provisions include the “same” requirements for voyages between Burns Harbor, Indiana and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois as reflected in Table 45.171.
This RNA is necessary to facilitate commerce and establish safe operating requirements for this temporary alternate route. Thus, this rule establishes an RNA on the waters of Lake Michigan, between Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois, within 5 nautical miles from shore.
This RNA will be effective and enforced from November 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015. The effective period for this RNA is broader than the anticipated closure dates of the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Dam to account for unexpected changes in schedule. In the event of a change in the enforcement dates and times, the Ninth District Commander will provide notice to the public by issuing a Notice of Enforcement for publication in the Federal Register, and announcing a Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
Inspected and uninspected river barges transiting this RNA need to operate in accordance with temporary 33 CFR 165.T09-0592 described below:
Unmanned dry cargo river barges transiting between Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois must meet the same requirements for voyages between Burns Harbor, Indiana and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois outlined in Table 45.171 of 46 CFR 45.171, as follows:
Load line requirement: Conditionally exempted from load line assignment.
Where to register/apply: Exempted barges must be registered with the USCG Marine Safety Unit Chicago, 555A Plainfield Road, Willowbrook, IL 60527; Fax (630) 986-2120.
Eligible barges are dry cargo river barges, built and maintained in accordance with ABS River Rules, Length-to-depth ratio is less than 22, and all weathertight and watertight Start Printed Page 68368closures are in proper working condition. There is no age limitation.
Barges freeboard must be at least 24 inches (610 mm). On open hopper barges, the coaming height + freeboard must be at least 54 inches (1,372 mm).
Tow limitations: Barges must be unmanned. Barges must transit within 5 nautical miles from shore. There is no limit on the number of barges in tow.
Cargo limitations: Dry cargoes only. Liquid cargoes, even in drums or tank containers, are prohibited. No hazardous materials. HazMats are defined in 46 CFR part 148 and 49 CFR chapter 1, subchapter C.
Weather limitations: Voyages will be conducted in “Fair weather” only. If worse conditions arise during the transit, the voyage must be discontinued and tow must proceed to shelter.
Pre-departure preparations: Required; as specified in 46 CFR 45.191.
Tow requirements:
○ Power: sufficient to handle tow.
○ Communication system: Recommended; 46 CFR 45.195(a).
○ Cutting gear: Recommended; 46 CFR 45.195(b).
○ Operational plan: Recommended; 46 CFR 45.197.
Unmanned inspected river barges operating between Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois must meet the following requirements:
Markings: Great Lakes diamond without seasonal marks.
Stability: Applicable 46 CFR subchapter S requirements.
Strength: ABS Rules for Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways. Tank barges over 300 feet in length must have loading information per 46 CFR 31.10-32.
Freeboard: Dry cargo and tank barges are to comply with the freeboard requirements of 46 CFR Part 45. Dry cargo barges will not be assessed penalties for hatch coaming or hatch cover deficiencies.
Load Line Certificate: Great Lakes certificate with the following notation: “This certificate is valid only for unmanned fair weather voyages between Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois and Burns Harbor, Indiana.”
Operating restrictions: Voyages will be conducted in “Fair weather” only. If worse conditions arise during the transit, the voyage must be discontinued and tow must proceed to shelter. Barges must transit within 5 nautical miles of shore.
We conclude that this rule is not a significant regulatory action because we anticipate that it will have minimal impact on the economy, will not interfere with other agencies, will not adversely alter the budget of any grant or loan recipients, and will not raise any novel legal or policy issues. The RNA is intended to facilitate commerce and will not restrict navigation because it will allow barges to transit an additional route without making any changes to the current barge requirements. Overall, we expect the economic impact of this rule to be minimal and that a full Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary.
This regulated navigation area will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because it is intended to facilitate commerce and will not restrict navigation because it will allow barges to transit an additional route without making any changes to the current barge requirements. 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 rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. 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 Lieutenant Heidi Bragalone, Waterways Management Branch, Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Chicago, Willowbrook, IL at (630) 986-2131. 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.
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.
This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Start Printed Page 68369Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.
This rule is not a “significant energy action” under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.
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 the establishment of a regulated navigation area and, therefore it is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and a Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this rule.
2. Add § 165.T09-0592 to read as follows:
§ 165.T09-0592
Regulated Navigation Area, Lake Michigan; Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, IL to Calumet Harbor, Chicago, IL.
(a) Location. All waters of Lake Michigan, between Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois, to Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois, extending within 5 nautical miles from shore.
(b) Effective period and enforcement. The regulated navigation area described in paragraph (a) of this section will be effective from November 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015. This section is expected to be enforced from November 1, 2014, through March 31, 2015, but the enforcement dates and times for this regulated navigation area are subject to change. In the event of a change within the effective period, the Ninth District Commander will provide notice to the public by issuing a Notice of Enforcement for publication in the Federal Register, and announcing a Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
(c) Regulations. (1) Unmanned dry cargo river barges transiting between Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois must meet the same requirements for voyages between Burns Harbor, Indiana and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois, outlined in Table 45.171 of 46 CFR 45.171, as follows:
(i) Load line requirement: Conditionally exempted from load line assignment.
(ii) Where to register/apply: Exempted barges must be registered with the USCG Marine Safety Unit, 555A Plainfield Road, Willowbrook, IL 60527; Fax (630) 986-2120.
(iii) Eligible barges are dry cargo river barges, built and maintained in accordance with ABS River Rules, Length-to-depth ratio is less than 22, and all weathertight and watertight closures are in proper working condition. There is no age limitation.
(iv) Barges freeboard must be at least 24 inches (610mm). On open hopper barges, the coaming height + freeboard must be at least 54 inches (1,372 mm).
(v) Tow limitations: Barges must be unmanned. Barges must transit within 5 nautical miles from shore. There is no limit on the number of barges in tow.
(vi) Cargo limitations: Dry cargoes only. Liquid cargoes, even in drums or tank containers, are prohibited. No hazardous materials. Hazardous materials are defined in 46 CFR part 148 and 49 CFR chapter 1, subchapter C.
(vii) Weather limitations: Voyages will be conducted in “Fair weather” only. If worse conditions arise during the transit, the voyage must be discontinued and tow must proceed to shelter.
(viii) Pre-departure preparations: Required; as specified in 46 CFR 45.191.
(ix) Tow requirements:
(A) Power: Sufficient to handle tow.
(B) Communication system: Recommended; 46 CFR 45.195(a).
(C) Cutting gear: Recommended; 46 CFR 45.195(b).
(D) Operational plan: Recommended; 46 CFR 45.197.
(2) Unmanned inspected river barges operating between Chicago Harbor Lock, Chicago, Illinois and Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois must meet the following requirements:
(i) Markings: Great Lakes diamond without seasonal marks.
(ii) Stability: Applicable 46 CFR subchapter S requirements.
(iii) Strength: ABS Rules for Rivers and Intracoastal Waterways. Tank barges over 300 feet in length must have loading information per 46 CFR 31.10-32.
(iv) Freeboard: Dry cargo and tank barges are to comply with the freeboard requirements of 46 CFR part 45. Dry cargo barges will not be assessed penalties for hatch coaming or hatch cover deficiencies.
(v) Load Line Certificate: Great Lakes certificate with the following notation: “This certificate is valid only for unmanned fair weather voyages between Calumet Harbor, Chicago, Illinois and Burns Harbor, Indiana.”
(vi) Operating restrictions: Voyages will be conducted in “Fair weather” only. If worse conditions arise during the transit, the voyage must be discontinued and tow must proceed to shelter. Barges must transit within 5 nautical miles from shore.
Start Printed Page 68370
F.M. Midgette,
[FR Doc. 2014-27168 Filed 11-14-14; 8:45 am]