E9-15577. Regulated Navigation Area; Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, Oregon Inlet, NC

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary regulated navigation area (RNA) on the waters of Oregon Inlet, North Carolina (NC). The RNA is needed to protect maritime infrastructure and the maritime public during fender repair work on the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 8 p.m. on June 22, 2009, through 8 p.m. on July 31, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and materials received from the public, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0489 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, selecting the Advanced Docket Search option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0489 in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in the Docket ID column. This material is also available for inspection or copying at two locations: 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, and at Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, 2301 E Fort Macon Rd, Atlantic Beach, NC, 28512, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary rule, call or e-mail CWO4 Stephen Lyons, Waterways Management Division Chief, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina; telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

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)(3)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because immediate action is needed to protect bridge repair workers and the maritime public from the hazards associated with this maintenance project. Fendering system repair workers will be on scaffolding in the navigation channel underneath the bridge. Vessels transiting the channel could knock the workers off the scaffolding and into the water. Likewise vessels could sustain damage by striking the scaffolding. It is imperative an RNA is established to complete and finalize the fender repair work on the bridge. Delaying fendering repair work on the bridge to complete an NPRM is impractical, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest. For the safety concerns noted, it is in the public interest to have this regulation in place during the construction. In addition, the necessary information to determine the impact of this construction on the maritime public was not provided with sufficient time to publish an NPRM. The Coast Guard received notice from the contractor performing construction on the bridge that the fender repair work will not be completed by June 5, 2009, as originally planned, due to unforeseen circumstances.

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 would be contrary to public interest, since immediate action is needed to ensure the public's safety. It is imperative an RNA is established immediately during the fender repair work on the bridge.

Background and Purpose

The State of North Carolina Department of Transportation awarded a contract to Marine Technologies Inc. of Baltimore, MD to perform repair work on the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge located in Oregon Inlet, NC. The contract is for the repair of the existing fender system that protects the bridge piers located on either side of the navigation channel from vessel allision. The fender repairs began on April 16, 2009 and were initially scheduled to continue through June 5, 2009. However, the repairs were not completed by June 5, 2009. The fender repair work will continue from June 5, 2009, through July 2009. The contractor will utilize scaffolding hanging from the fender system to perform and complete the repair work. During periods of work, the scaffolding will reduce the available horizontal clearance of the main navigational channel to 124′. Because of this construction, vessels over a certain size will be limited in their ability to transit the regulated area as described below.

Discussion of Rule

The RNA will encompass the area of the main navigational channel directly under the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge. All vessels of 100 gross tons and greater are not permitted to transit the waterway unless the vessel asks the District Commander or his representative for permission to transit. To seek permission to transit the area, mariners can contact Sector North Carolina at telephone number 252-47-4570.

Any vessel transiting the regulated area must do so at a no-wake speed during the effective period. Nothing in this proposed rule negates the requirement to operate at a safe speed as provided in the Navigational Rules and Regulations.

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.

Although this regulation will restrict access to the regulated area, the effect of this rule will not be significant because: (i) The regulated navigation area will be in effect for a limited duration of time, (ii) the Coast Guard will give advance notification via maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly, and (iii) vessels of 100 gross tons or greater may be granted permission to transit the area by the District Commander or his representative.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule would 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. Although the regulated area will apply to the waters of the Oregon Inlet, the area will not have significant impact on small entities because the area will only be in place for a limited duration of time and maritime advisories will be issued in advance to allow the public to adjust their plans accordingly.

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 can 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 create 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.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this 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. Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under section 2.B. Figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction and neither an environmental assessment nor an environmental impact statement is required. This rule involves establishing, disestablishing, or changing a regulated navigation area. An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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

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

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3307; 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.

2. Add temporary § 165.T05-0489 to read as follows:

§ 165.T05-0489

Regulated Navigation Area; Herbert C. Bonner Bridge, Oregon Inlet, NC.

(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:

District Commander means the Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.

Designated Representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Commander, Fifth U.S. Coast Guard District to act as a designated representative on his behalf.

(b) Location. The following area is a regulated navigation area: All waters of Oregon Inlet, between the fendered spans of the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge.

(c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations governing regulated navigation areas found in § 165.13 of this part apply to the regulated navigation area described in paragraph (b) of this section.

(2) All vessels of 100 gross tons and greater are not permitted to transit the regulated area without permission from the District Commander or his representative. To seek permission to transit the area, mariners can contact Sector North Carolina at telephone number [phone].

(3) Any vessel transiting the regulated area must do so at a no-wake speed during the effective period. The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the District Commander or his representative and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course while within the zone.

(d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.

(e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 p.m. on June 22, 2009, through 8 p.m. on July 31, 2009, unless cancelled earlier by the District Commander or designated representative.

Dated: June 19, 2009.

P.B. Trapp,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.