2023-19559. Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Tybee Island, GA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Savannah River during the Air National Guard F–22A Raptor aircraft demonstration event. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment during the event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Savannah or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 10 a.m. through 1 p.m. on September 13, 2023.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG–2023–0709 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 Junior Grade Anthony Harris, Shoreside Compliance, Marine Safety Unit Savannah, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

COTP Captain of the Port

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 Information and Regulatory History

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)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because doing so would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. The Coast Guard did not receive final details of the event until August 22, 2023, and the event is scheduled to take place on September 13, 2023. The event would begin before the rulemaking process would be completed. Because of the dangers posed by the aerial demonstration of the Air National Guard's F–22A Raptor aircraft, a safety zone is necessary without delay to ensure the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment. It is impracticable and contrary to the public interest to delay this rule because it is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the aerial demonstration of the F–22A Raptor aircraft.

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 it is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the aerial demonstration of the F–22A Raptor aircraft.

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 (COTP) Savannah has determined that potential hazards associated with the Air National Guard's aerial demonstration of the F–22A Raptor aircraft will be a safety concern for anyone located within Tybee Island and certain waters of the navigable waters of the Savannah River. This rule is necessary to ensure the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment during the Air National Guard's F–22A Raptor demonstration event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a safety zone on on certain navigable waters located within the line connecting points beginning at 31°59′43.62″ N, 080°49′58.74″ W, thence to 31°58′56.66″ N, 080°50′16.73″ W, thence to 31°59′5.73″ N, 080°50′49.50″ W, thence to 31°59′52.64″ N, 080°50′31.52″ W, and back to the beginning point, during the Air National Guard's aerial demonstration of the F–22A Raptor aircraft. The safety zone will be enforced from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on September 13, 2023. 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 time-of-day 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 a limited area on the navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean during an aerial demonstration lasting three hours. Although persons and vessels may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the zone without authorization from the COTP or a designated representative, they will be able to safely transit around the safety 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 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 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 a limited area on the navigable waters of the Atlantic Ocean located within the line connecting points beginning at 31°59′43.62″ N, 080°49′58.74″ W, thence to 31°58′56.66″ N, 080°50′16.73″ W, thence to 31°59′5.73″ N, 080°50′49.50″ W, thence to 31°59′52.64″ N, 080°50′31.52″ W, and back to the beginning point, during Air National Guard's aerial demonstration of the F–22A Raptor aircraft lasting three hours. 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 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.T07–0709 to read as follows:

§ 165.T07–0709

Safety Zone; Atlantic Ocean, Tybee Island, GA.

(a) Location. The following regulated area is a safety zone: All waters of the Atlantic Ocean, located within the line connecting points beginning at 31°59′43.62″ N, 080°49′58.74″ W, thence to 31°58′56.66″ N, 080°50′16.73″ W, thence to 31°59′5.73″ N, 080°50′49.50″ W, thence to 31°59′52.64″ N, 080°50′31.52″ W, and back to the beginning point. All coordinates are World Geodetic System 1984 (WGS 84).

(b) Definition. 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 Savannah (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 described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative.

(2) Persons or vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the safety zone may contact COTP by telephone at 912–247–0073, or a designated representative via VHF 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 Savannah 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 section will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 13, 2023.

Dated: September 1, 2023.

Nathaniel L. Robinson,

Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Savannah.