2024-04951. Safety Zone; St. Petersburg, Florida

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of Tampa Bay, in the vicinity of the St. Petersburg Municipal Yacht Basin, during a racing event in St. Petersburg, FL. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of participant vessels, spectators, and the general public during the event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., on March 7, 2024, through March 10, 2024.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2024–0166 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 Marine Science Technician First Class Mara Brown, Sector St. Petersburg Prevention Department, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

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, Purpose, 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 and contrary to public interest. The Coast Guard did not receive notice that a safety zone would be part of the pre-scheduled Firestone Grand Prix race event unitl February 15, 2024. This action is necessary for the protection of life and property on the navigable waters of the United States. The event would begin before the rulemaking process would be completed. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety zone by March 7, 2024.

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 . It is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to delay this rule because it is necessary to protect spectators, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the race event.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034. The Captain of the Port St. Petersburg (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the race event near St. Petersburg Municipal Yacht Basin. This rule is necessary to ensure the safety of the spectators, the general public, vessels and the navigable waters of St. Petersburg, FL, during the race event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a safety zone on certain waters near the Municipal Yacht Basin in St. Petersburg, FL, during the Firestone Grand Prix race event in St. Petersburg, FL. This safety zone will be enforced from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., daily on March 7, 2024 through March 10, 2024. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within a specified area of Tampa Bay, during the race event. The safety zone is needed to protect the public, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by spectators of the race event. No person or vessel will be permitted to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone is granted by the COTP or a designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with the instructions of the COTP or a designated representative. The Coast Guard will provide notice of the safety zone by Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and/or by on-scene designated representatives.

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 section 3(f) of 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, location, duration, and scope of the safety zone. This rule involves a safety zone that will prohibit persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within certain waters around Municipal Yacht Basin, in St. Petersburg, FL during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race event lasting four days.

Although persons and vessels may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone without authorization from the COTP or a designated representative, they will be able to safely transit around the zone. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF–FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule would allow vessels to seek permission to enter the safety zone.

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 would 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 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.

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 that will prohibit persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within within certain waters around Municipal Yacht Basin, in St. Petersburg, FL during the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg race event lasting four days. 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, 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.T07–0166 to read as follows:

§ 165.T07–0166

Safety Zone; Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, FL.

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone. All waters of Tampa Bay encompassed within the following points: 27°46′18″ N, 082°37′55.2″ W, thence to position 27°46′18″ N, 082°37′54.6″ W, thence to position 27°46′9.6″ N, 082°37′54.6″ W, thence to position 27°46′9.6″ N, 082°37′33″ W, thence to position 27°46′4.2″ N, 082°37′33″ W, thence to position 27°45′59.4″ N, 082°37′50.4″ W, thence to position 27°46′6.6″ N, 082°37′56.4″ W, thence to position 27°46′13.8″ N, 082°37′55.8″ W, thence back to the original position 27°46′18″ N, 082°37′55.2″ W. All coordinates are North American Datum 1983.

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, “ designated representative” means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.

(c) Regulations.

(1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative.

(2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the COTP by telephone at 727–824–7506, or a designated representative via VHF–FM radio on channel 16 to request authorization. If authorization is granted, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with the instructions of the COTP St. Petersburg or a designated representative.

(3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF–FM channel 16, and/or by on-scene designated representatives.

(d) Enforcement Period. This rule will be enforced daily from 6 a.m. until 10 p.m., on March 7, 2024, through March 10, 2024.

Dated: March 1, 2024.

Michael P. Kahle,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Saint Petersburg.