Safety Zone; Ohio River, Olmsted, IL

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on a portion of the Ohio River in Olmsted, IL. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the demolition of Lock and Dam 53 involving explosives. 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.

DATES:

This rule is effective December 2, 2021, through December 1, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov,, type USCG-2021-0495 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 about this rulemaking, call or email MST2, Dylan Caikowski, MSU Paducah, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 270-442-1621 ext. 2120, email STL-SMB-MSUPaducah-WWM@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

§ Section

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

The purpose of this rule is to ensure the safety of vessels on the navigable waters of the Ohio River during the demolition of Lock and Dam 53. During this time, a temporary safety zone on the Ohio River will be necessary to protect persons, property, and infrastructure from potential damage and safety hazards associated with the demolition of Lock and Dam 53. In response, on July 19, 2021, the Coast Guard published an interim final rule (IFR) titled “Safety Zone; Ohio River, Olmsted, IL” (86 FR 37911). There we stated why we issued the interim final rule and invited comments on our regulatory action related to the demolition of the Lock and Dam 53 on the Ohio River. During the comment period that ended August 18, 2021, we received no comments.

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 Ohio Valley (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with demolition of Lock and Dam 53 involving explosives will be a safety concern for anyone on the Ohio River from mile marker (MM) 961 to MM 964.6. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone before, during, and after the demolition of Lock and Dam 53 involving explosives.

The Coast Guard is making this rule effective sooner than 30 days after publication pursuant to authority under the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), specifically 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). This provision authorizes an agency to make a rule effective sooner than 30 days after publication when the agency for good cause finds that the delay is “impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that delaying the effective date of this rule would be contrary to public interest because this safety zone must become effective on December 2, 2021, to ensure there is a continuous safety zone in place to protect vessels and persons from the safety hazards associated with the continued dam demolition on the Ohio River.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

As noted above, we received no comments on our IFR published July 19, 2021. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from the IFR.

This rule establishes a temporary safety zone that covers all navigable waters of the Ohio River from MM 961 to MM 964.6. This rule will be enforced every day at midday from December 2, 2021, through December 1, 2022 as necessary to facilitate safe demolition of Lock and Dam 53. Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNM) will be issued six hours prior to the start of blasting to notify the public that the safety zone is being enforced. Vessels will be able to transit the safety zone when explosives are not being detonated. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative during demolition operations involving explosives.

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, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. This safety zone will only be enforced daily for a short period of time and only impact a small portion of the Ohio River. Additionally, this safety zone will only be enforced in daytime hours during the demolition operations of the Lock and Dam 53. Vessels may seek permission to transit safety through the area from the COTP or a designated reperesentative.

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 0 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 temporary safety zone for the demolition of Lock and Dam 53 involving explosives on the Ohio River in Olmsted, IL. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 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.T08-0495 to read as follows: