2011-14625. Safety Zone, Barrier Testing Operations, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Romeoville, IL  

  • Start Preamble

    AGENCY:

    Coast Guard, DHS.

    ACTION:

    Temporary final rule.

    SUMMARY:

    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal (CSSC) near Romeoville, IL. This temporary final rule is intended to restrict all vessels from transiting the navigable waters of the CSSC. This safety zone is necessary to protect the waters, waterway users, and vessels from the hazards associated with U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) temporary simultaneous operation of dispersal barrier IIA and IIB.

    DATES:

    This rule is effective on June 10, 2011. This rule will remain in effect until 5 p.m. on June 21, 2011.

    ADDRESSES:

    Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0453 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2011-0453 in the “Keyword” box, and then clicking “search.” They are also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

    Start Further Info

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    If you have questions on this temporary rule, contact or e-mail BM1 Adam Kraft, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, at 414-747-7148 or Adam.D.Kraft@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

    End Further Info End Preamble Start Supplemental Information

    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    Regulatory Information

    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 waiting for a notice and comment period to run would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest in that it would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to protect the public from the hazards associated with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' simultaneous operation of electric barriers IIA and IIB.

    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. For the reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph, a 30-day notice period would be impractical and contrary to the public interest.

    Background and Purpose

    In 2007, the Department of the Interior through the Fish and Wildlife Service listed the Asian Carp and the Silver Carp as Injurious Wildlife Species. Based upon testing conducted by the USACE, the Asian carp is presently migrating toward the Great Lakes through the CSSC and connected tributaries. Scientists are concerned that if these aquatic nuisance species reach the Great Lakes in sufficient numbers they might devastate the Great Lakes commercial and sport fishing industries.

    The Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and Control Act of 1990, as amended by the National Invasive Species Act of 1996, authorized the USACE to conduct a demonstration project to identify an environmentally sound method for preventing and reducing the dispersal of non-indigenous aquatic nuisance species through the CSSC. The USACE selected an electric barrier because it is a non-lethal deterrent with a proven history, which does not overtly interfere with navigation in the canal.

    A demonstration dispersal barrier (Barrier I) was constructed and has been in operation since April 2002. It is located approximately 30 miles from Lake Michigan and creates an electric field in the water by pulsing low voltage DC current through steel cables secured to the bottom of the canal. A second barrier (Barrier IIA) was constructed 800 to 1300 feet downstream of the Barrier I. Barrier IIA is currently operating at two volts per inch, 15 Hertz and 6.5ms. Construction on Barrier IIB has been completed. Operational and safety testing was conducted in February 2011 and is being analyzed. The completion Start Printed Page 34146of Barrier IIB will allow for maintenance operations without the need for the use of other aquatic nuisance species countermeasures. As part of its ongoing operation of these electrical barriers, the USACE intends on simultaneously operating Barrier IIA and IIB, daily from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th, and 21st, 2011.

    Discussion of Rule

    This rule places a safety zone that will encompass all waters of the CSSC located between mile marker 296.1 (approximately 958 feet south of Romeo Road Bridge) and mile marker 296.7 (aerial pipeline located approximately 2,693 feet northeast of Romeo Road Bridge).

    The Coast Guard has deemed this safety zone necessary to protect the waterways, waterway users, and vessels from hazards associated with the USACE's temporary simultaneous operation of dispersal barrier IIA and IIB. This safety zone will be enforced daily from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th, and 21st, 2011.

    During the enforcement period, Entry into, transiting, mooring, laying-up or anchoring within the enforced area of this safety zone by any person or vessel is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

    Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

    Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not “significant” under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 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.

    Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor on a portion of the CSSC between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 10th, 11th, 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 20th, and 21st, 2011.

    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 while unsafe conditions exist. In the event that this temporary safety zone affects shipping, commercial vessels may request permission from the Captain of The Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative to transit through the safety zone. The Coast Guard will give notice to the public via a Broadcast to Mariners that the regulation is in effect.

    Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. 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.

    Collection of Information

    This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

    Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State 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 have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.

    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 or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in such expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

    Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

    Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b) (2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

    Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.

    Indian Tribal Governments

    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.Start Printed Page 34147

    Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a “significant energy action” under that order because it is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

    Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

    Environment

    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 concluded this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction. This rule involves the establishment of a safety zone and is therefore categorically excluded under paragraph 34(g) of the Instruction. A final environmental analysis check list and categorical exclusion determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

    Start List of Subjects

    List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    • Harbors
    • Marine safety
    • Navigation (water)
    • Reporting and record keeping requirements
    • Security measures
    • Waterways
    End List of Subjects

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

    Start Part

    PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

    End Part Start Amendment Part

    1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    End Amendment Part Start Authority

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

    End Authority Start Amendment Part

    2. Add § 165.T09-0453 to read as follows:

    End Amendment Part
    Safety Zone, Barrier Testing Operations, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Romeoville, IL.

    (a) Location. The safety zone will encompass all U.S. navigable waters of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal from Mile Marker 296.1 to Mile Marker 296.7 [DATUM: NAD 83].

    (b) Effective and enforcement periods. This rule is effective on June 10, 2011 and will remain in effect until 5 p.m. on June 21, 2011. This rule will be enforced daily from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on June 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20, and 21.

    (3) Regulations. (i) In accordance with the general regulations in section 165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

    (ii) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may be permitted by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

    (iii) The “designated representative” of the Captain of the Port is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been designated by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, to act on his or her behalf. The designated representative of the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, will be aboard a Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, or other designated vessel or will be on shore and will communicate with vessels via VHF channel 16 radio, loudhailer, or by phone. The Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative may be contacted via VHF channel 16 radio or the Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan Command Center at 414-747-7182.

    (iv) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety zone shall contact the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative to obtain permission to do so.

    (v) Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to them by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her designated representative.

    Start Signature

    Dated: June 3, 2011.

    L. Barndt,

    Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan.

    End Signature End Supplemental Information

    [FR Doc. 2011-14625 Filed 6-9-11; 11:15 am]

    BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Document Information

Comments Received:
0 Comments
Effective Date:
6/10/2011
Published:
06/13/2011
Department:
Coast Guard
Entry Type:
Rule
Action:
Temporary final rule.
Document Number:
2011-14625
Dates:
This rule is effective on June 10, 2011. This rule will remain in effect until 5 p.m. on June 21, 2011.
Pages:
34145-34147 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket No. USCG-2011-0453
RINs:
1625-AA00: Safety Zone Regulations
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1625-AA00/safety-zone-regulations
Topics:
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways
PDF File:
2011-14625.Pdf
CFR: (1)
33 CFR 165.T09-0453