2024-22121. Safety Zone; Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, TX

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Department of Homeland Security

Coast Guard

1. 33 CFR Part 165
2. [Docket Number USCG-2024-0872]
3. RIN 1625-AA00

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the removal of pipeline from the floor of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel near gated pair lights 31 and 32. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi, or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective without actual notice from September 27, 2024, through October 31, 2024. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from September 23, 2024, until September 27, 2024. It will be subject to enforcement each day it is in effect, between the hours of 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2024-0872 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 Lieutenant Timothy Cardenas, Sector Corpus Christi Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi

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 rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to 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. This rule is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with removal of the pipeline, include the deployment of heavy equipment which will obstruct vessel traffic, continuous diving ( print page 79145) operations, and various other activities which create underwater hazards while people are working. There is insufficient time to publish an NPRM because the safety zone must be established by September 23, 2024.

In addition, the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3) for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register because the safety zone must be in effect by September 23, 2024, when pipeline removal operations begin.

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, Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has determined that hazards inherent in underwater pipeline removal activities necessitate provisions to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment while those activities are taking place. The activities giving rise to these hazards include the deployment of heavy equipment which will obstruct vessel traffic, continuous diving operations, and various other activities which create underwater hazards while people are working.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a safety zone from September 23, 2024, through October 31, 2024. The rule is subject to enforcement from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day it is in effect. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters in the Corpus Christi Ship Channel near gated pair lights 31 and 32, near pipeline removal operations. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the temporary safety zones during the period in which the rule is subject to enforcement without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative, who may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) or by telephone at 1-800-874-2143. The Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to Mariners, and/or Safety Marine Information Broadcasts as appropriate.

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 duration of the safety zone. The safety zone covers less than 0.5 square mile area of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel in Texas. The temporary safety zone will be subject to enforcement for a period of six consecutive hours each day of the period, from September 23, 2024, to October 31, 2024.

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 establishment of a temporary safety ( print page 79146) zone for navigable waters in the Corpus Christi Bay lasting 6 hours per day for 36 days. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by pipeline removal activities that may include deployment of heavy equipment which will obstruct vessel traffic, continuous diver's operations, and various other activities which create underwater hazards while people are working. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a), in 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.T08-0872 to read as follows:

§ 165.T08-0872

Safety Zone; Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, TX.

(a) Location. The safety zone will be within the following area: All navigable waters of the Corpus Christi Ship Channel, from the surface to bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following points beginning at Point 1: 27°49′18.48″ N, 97°11′15.87″ W, thence to Point 2: 27°49′6.33″ N, 97°11′13.00″ W, thence to Point 3: 27°49′19.49″ N, 97°11′10.42″ W, thence to Point 4: 27°49′7.35″ N, 97°11′7.55″ W. These coordinates are based on World Geodetic System (WGS) 84.

(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol officer, 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, Port Arthur, TX (COTP), in the enforcement of the safety zone.

(c) Enforcement period. This section will be subject to enforcement from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. each day in the period, from September 23, 2024, through October 31, 2024.

(d) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, entry into the temporary safety zones described in paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated representative. They may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) or by telephone at 1-800-874-2143.

(2) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.

(e) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to Mariners, and/or Safety Marine Information Broadcasts as appropriate.

Dated: September 23, 2024

T.H. Bertheau,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi.