2023-18697. Safety Zone; Lahaina Boat Basin, Maui, HI-Emergency Operations and Port Recovery

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters in the vicinity of Lahaina Boat Basin, Maui, Hawaii. The temporary safety zone encompasses all waters extending 200 yards from shore starting from the potential safety hazards associated with the damage assessment, debris management, vessel salvage and port recovery of Lahaina Boat Basin and surrounding waters, through September 27, 2023. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Honolulu or designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective without actual notice from August 29, 2023, through September 27, 2023. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from August 24, 2023, until August 29, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2021–0742 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 Lieutenant Commander Wade Thomson, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Honolulu at (808) 541–4359 or [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port

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

On August 9, 2023, high winds and wildfires struck portions of Maui, Hawaii, causing damage to coastal infrastructure and prompting mass rescue operations for area residents.

On August 9, 2023, the Coast Guard issued a rulemaking creating a temporary safety zone for all waters extending 1 nautical mile from shore starting from the northernmost point of Kekaa Point, Maui, thenceforth to the southernmost point at Hekili Point, Maui, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with emergency response and port recovery operations after wildfires affected the area (88 FR 55373, August 15, 2023). The safety zone was effective through August 23, 2023. A copy of the rulemaking that ended on August 23, 2023, is available in Docket USCG–2023–0669, which can be found using instructions in the ADDRESSES section. However, additional time is needed to continue to provide protection against hazards in the area due to emergency response and port recovery operations. The safety zone encompasses all waters extending 200 yards from shore starting from the northernmost boundary at Wahikuli Wayside Park, Maui, thenceforth to the southernmost boundary at Launiupoko Beach Park, Maui.

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 would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The Coast Guard was unable to publish an NPRM and hold a reasonable comment period for this rulemaking due to the emergent nature of the continuing damage assessment and salvage operations.

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 impracticable because immediate action to restrict vessel traffic within the safety zone is needed to protect life, property and the environment, therefore a 30-day notice period is impracticable. Delaying the effective date would be contrary to the safety zone's intended objectives of providing immediate protection to on-scene emergency personal, creating a working buffer necessary to mitigate any safety and potential pollution threats caused by the wildfires and establishing immediate maritime safety in the vicinity of on-scene damage assessments.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034. On August 9, 2023, the Coast Guard was informed of damage, pollution, and debris in the vicinity of Lahaina Boat Basin, Maui, Hawaii. The Coast Guard COTP Sector Honolulu has determined that the potential hazards associated with the emergency response and port recovery efforts connected to wildfires in the area constitute a safety concern for anyone within the designated safety zone. This rule is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment within the navigable waters of the safety zone during ongoing emergency response and port recovery operations.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule is in effect from August 24, 2023, through September 27, 2023, at 11:59 p.m., or until emergency response and port recovery operations are complete, whichever is earlier. If the safety zone is terminated prior to 11:59 p.m. on September 27, 2023, the Coast Guard will provide notice via a broadcast notice to mariners. The temporary safety zone encompasses all waters extending 200 yards from shore starting from the northernmost boundary at Wahikuli Wayside Park, Maui, thenceforth to the southernmost boundary at Launiupoko Beach Park, Maui. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with ongoing emergency response and port recovery operations after wildfires affected the area. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone absent the express authorization of the COTP or his designated representative.

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, location, and limited duration of the safety zone. This zone impacts a small, designated area of the Lahaina Harbor and surrounding waters and operations may suspend early at the discretion of the Captain of the Port, Sector Honolulu.

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 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 lasting that will prohibit entry within certain navigable waters of Lahaina Boat Basin. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(d) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023–01–001–01, Rev. 1.

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.T14–0743 to read as follows:

§ 165.T14–0743

Safety Zone; Pacific Ocean, Lahaina Boat Basin, Maui, HI—Emergency Operations and Port Recovery.

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters extending 200 yards from shore starting from the northernmost boundary at Wahikuli Wayside Park, Maui, thenceforth to the southernmost boundary at Launiupoko Beach Park, Maui.

(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 Sector Honolulu (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.

(c) Regulations. 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 VHF/FM Chanel 16. 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 August 24, 2023, through September 27, 2023, unless an earlier end is announced by broadcast notice to mariners.

Dated: August 24, 2023.

A.L. Kirksey,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Honolulu.