Safety Zone; Columbia River, Vancouver, WA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Columbia River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Vancouver, WA during a high-speed hydroplane boat testing event on May 20, 2022. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Columbia River or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 20, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2022-0140 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 Lieutenant Sean Murphy, Waterways Management Division, Marine Safety Unit Portland, Coast Guard; telephone 503-240-9319, email D13-SMB-MSUPortlandWWM@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port Columbia River

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

§ Section

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

On January 19, 2022, the H1 Unlimited notified the Coast Guard that it will be conducting a hydroplane testing event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 20, 2022. The hydroplane event will consist of individual testing of 10 hydroplane vessels in between the I-5 and I-205 bridges on the Columbia River. The Captain of the Port Columbia (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the high-speed hydroplane boat testing would be a safety concern for anyone within the regulated area.

In response, on March 30, 2022 the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled Safety Zone; Columbia River, Vancouver, WA (87 FR 18757). There we stated why we issued the NPRM, and invited comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this fireworks display. During the comment period that ended May 2, 2022, we received two comments.

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 impracticable because immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the high-speed hydroplane boat testing. The Coast Guard's limited notice of the parameters of the high-speed boat testing makes it necessary to expedite the effective date of this rule.

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 Sector Columbia River (COTP) has determined that the potential hazards associated with high-speed hydroplane boat testing would be a safety concern for anyone within the regulated area. The purpose of this rule is to ensure safety of vessels and the navigable waters in the safety zone before, during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

As noted above, we received two comments on our NPRM published May 30, 2022. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.

One comment expressed concern that the waterway would be completely taken over for use by a private company. However, the safety zone only covers a specific duration of 7 hours for a single day. Vessels that need or want to enter the safety zone may seek permission from the COTP to do so. Another comment raises concerns about the environmental impact of the boat racing event itself, conflating the event and the safety zone. Due to the size and length of time the zone will be in effect, the safety zone will have a miminal expected impact on the environment.

This rule establishes a safety zone from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on May 20, 2022. The safety zone covers all navigable waters of the Columbia River, from surface to bottom, starting approximately 700 yards east of the I-5 bridge from shoreline to shoreline heading east for approximately 1.2 miles; specifically beginning at the shoreline at 45°36′40.7″ N, 122°40′11.2″ W, northeast to 45°37′08.7″ N, 122°39′53.8″ W, southeast to 45°36′41.3″ N, 122°38′32.0″ W, thence southwest to 45°36′15.8″ N, 122°38′53.0″ W, and along the shoreline back to the beginning point. The duration of the safety zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable waters before, during, and after the scheduled 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. high-speed hydroplane boat testing. No vessel or person is 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 the duration of the safety zone. The safety zone will impact a 1.2 mile stretch of the Columbia River during the hydroplane boat testing for 7 hours and thus is limited in scope. The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcase Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone and the rule allows vessels to seek permission to enter.

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 received no comments from the Small Business Administration on this rulemaking. 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 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 7 hours that would prohibit entry within an approximate 1.2 miles of the Columbia River for the duration of a high-speed hydroplane testing event. It is categorically excluded from further review under 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

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; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.

2. Add § 165.T13-0140 to read as follows: