2023-25457. Security Zones; Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, TX

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing four temporary, 500-yard radius, moving security zones within the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and the La Quinta Channel. The temporary security zones are needed to protect certain vessels carrying cargoes which pose such risks that they require an elevated level of security, the cargoes themselves, and the surrounding waterway from terrorist acts, sabotage, or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature. Entry of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective without actual notice from November 17, 2023 until November 24, 2023. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from November 10, 2023, until November 17, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this rule, call or email Lieutenant Commander Anthony Garofalo, Sector Corpus Christi Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi

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 Coast Guard is issuing this temporary 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. The Coast Guard must establish these security zones by November 10, 2023 to ensure security of these vessels and lacks sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and consider those comments before issuing the rule.

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 contrary to the public interest because immediate action is needed to provide for the security of these vessels.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

The Coast Guard may issue security zone regulations under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70051 and 70124. The Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the transit of the Motor Vessel (M/V) BONITO LNG, M/V CLEAN RESOLUTION, M/V INNOVATOR and M/V PILAARGAS, when loaded, will be a security concern within a 500-yard radius of each vessel. This rule is needed to provide for the safety and security of the vessels, their cargo, and the surrounding waterway from terrorist acts, sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature while they are transiting within Corpus Christi, TX.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

The Coast Guard is establishing four 500-yard radius, temporary, moving security zones around M/V BONITO LNG, M/V CLEAN RESOLUTION, M/V INNOVATOR and M/V PILAARGAS. To facilitate compliance with requirements of the security zones, the vessel names will be clearly marked on the port, starboard, and stern. The zones for the vessels will be effective and enforced from November 10, 2023, through November 24, 2023, to protect the vessels, their cargo, and the surrounding waterways from terrorist acts, sabotage, or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature while the vessels are traveling within the La Quinta and Corpus Christi Ship Channels. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the security zones without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.

Entry into these security zones is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative, who will be on scene to enforce the security zone. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector Corpus Christi. Persons or vessels desiring to enter or pass through each zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated representative on VHF–FM channel 16 or by telephone at 361–939–0450. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate for the enforcement times and dates for each security zone.

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, as amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

This regulatory action determination is based on the size, duration, and location of the security zones. This rule will impact a small, designated area of 500-yards around the moving vessels in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and La Quinta Ship Channel as the vessels transit the channel over an fifteen day period. Moreover, the rule allows other vessels to seek permission to enter the zones.

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 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 temporary security zones 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 contact 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. If you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

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 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 moving security zones lasting for the duration of time that the M/V BONITO LNG, M/V CLEAN RESOLUTION, M/V INNOVATOR and M/V PILAARGAS are within the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel while loaded with cargo. It will prohibit entry within a 500-yard radius of M/V BONITO LNG, M/V CLEAN RESOLUTION, M/V INNOVATOR and M/V PILAARGAS while the vessels are transiting loaded within Corpus Christi Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel. It is categorically excluded from further review under L60(d) in 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 contact 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; 70124; 33 CFR 1.05–1, 6.04–1, 6.04–6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

2. Add § 165.T08–0902 to read as follows:

§ 165.T08–0902

Security Zones; Corpus Christi Ship Channel. Corpus Christi, TX.

(a) Location. The following areas are moving security zones: All navigable waters encompassing a 500-yard radius around the M/V BONITO LNG, M/V CLEAN RESOLUTION, M/V INNOVATOR and M/V PILAARGAS while the vessels are in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and the La Quinta Ship Channel.

(b) Effective period. This section will be in effect, and subject to enforcement, from November 10, 2023, through November 24, 2023.

(c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations in § 165.33 of this part apply. Entry into the zones is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector Corpus Christi.

(2) Persons or vessels desiring to enter or pass through the zones must request permission from the COTP Sector Corpus Christi on VHF–FM channel 16 or by telephone at 361–939–0450.

(3) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.

(d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate of the enforcement times and dates for these security zones.

Dated: November 9, 2023.

Jason Gunning,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi.