2023-10718. Safety Zone; Chinese Harbor; Santa Cruz Island, California

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The U.S. Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters in Chinese Harbor of Santa Cruz Island, California. This safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by ongoing salvage operations relating to the December 2022 grounding of a 60-foot fishing vessel in Chinese Harbor. Entry of persons or vessels into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Los Angeles—Long Beach, or their designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective without actual notice from May 18, 2023, until May 25, 2023. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from May 15, 2023, until May 18, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2023–0009 in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this rule, call or email LCDR Maria Wiener, Waterways Management, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles—Long Beach; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

DHS Department of Homeland Security

E.O. Executive order

FR Federal Register

LLNR Light List Number

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

Pub. L. Public Law

§ 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) because it is impracticable. This is a response to a vessel grounding and immediate action is needed to respond to potential safety hazards associated with vessel salvage operations. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety zone by May 15, 2023.

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 public interest because immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment in the vicinity of Chinese Harbor during vessel salvage operations.

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) and 46 U.S.C. 70011(b)(3). The Captain of the Port (COTP), Los Angeles—Long Beach has determined that potential hazards associated with salvage operations starting May 15, 2023, will be a safety concern for anyone within a 500-yard radius of the operations in Chinese Harbor. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone while salvage operations take place in the vicinity of Chinese Harbor.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a safety zone from May 15, 2023, until May 25, 2023. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters from the surface to the sea floor in and around the M/V DANNY C (Official Number 506332) and extending out along a 500-yard radius from the vessel's location while it is in Chinese Harbor. These coordinates are based on North American Datum of 1983. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or his designated representative. Sector Los Angeles—Long Beach may be contacted on VHF–FM Channel 16 or (310) 521–3801. The marine public will be notified of the safety zone via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

If the COTP determines that the zone need not be enforced during this entire period, the Coast Guard will announce via Broadcast Notice to Mariners when the zone will no longer be subject to enforcement.

V. Regulatory Analyses

We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and Executive orders (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on a number of these statutes and E.O.s, 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-year of the safety zone. Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit around this safety zone, which will impact a small, designated area of Chinese Harbor, Santa Cruz Island, CA. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF–FM marine channel 16 regarding the safety zone and the rule allows vessels to seek permission to enter the 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 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 Management Directive 023–01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and 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 encompassing an area extending 500-yards out from a vessel engaged in salvage operations in vicinity of Chinese Harbor and will last only 10 days while salvage operations are ongoing. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(c), in Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023–001–01, Rev. 1.

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.T11–124 to read as follows:

§ 165.T11–124

Safety Zone; Chinese Harbor; Santa Cruz Island, California.

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable waters from the surface to the sea floor in and around the M/V DANNY C (Official Number 506332) and extending out along a 500-yard radius from that vessel while it is in Chinese Harbor. These coordinates are based on North American Datum of 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 Los Angeles-Long Beach (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.

(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.

(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative by hailing Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles—Long Beach on VHF–FM Channel 16 or calling at (310) 521–3801. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.

(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from May 15, 2023, through May 25, 2023. The marine public will be notified of this safety zone via Broadcast Notice to Mariners. If the Captain of the Port determines that the zone need not be enforced during this entire period, the Coast Guard will announce via Broadcast Notice to Mariners when the zone will no longer be subject to enforcement.

Dated: May 15, 2023.

R.D. Manning,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Los Angeles—Long Beach.