01-12977. Safety and Security Zones: USS Samuel Eliot Morison Port Visit, Newport, RI

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary safety and security zones off the coast of Newport Naval Station, Newport, Rhode Island, during the port visit of the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON to the Newport Naval Station, Newport, Rhode Island. The safety and security zone are needed to safeguard the public, the area encompassing Coddington Cove and the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON and her crew from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other causes of a similar nature. Entry into these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Providence, Rhode Island or his authorized patrol representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 6 a.m., Monday, May 21, 2001, to 12 midnight on Friday, May 25, 2001.

ADDRESSES:

Documents as indicated in this preamble are available for inspection and copying at Marine Safety Office Providence, 20 Risho Avenue, East Providence, Rhode Island between the hours of 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

LT Casey L. Chmielewski at Marine Safety Office Providence, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was not published for this regulation. Good cause exists for making it effective less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. Good cause exists for not publishing a NPRM for this regulation. Due to the sensitive and unpredictable nature of the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON's schedule, the Coast Guard received insufficient notice to publish proposed rules in advance of the event. Any delay encountered in this regulation's effective date would be contrary to public interest since immediate action is needed to protect the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON, her crew, the public and the area adjoining Coddington Cove.

Background and Purpose

From May 21, 2001, to May 25, 2001, the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON will be berthed at Pier 2 on the Newport Naval Station, Newport, RI. Pier 2 is located within Coddington Cove, along the East Passage of Narragansett Bay. The safety and security zones are needed to protect the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON, her crew and the public from harmful or subversive acts, accidents or other causes of a similar nature in the vicinity of Coddington Cove. The safety and security zones have identical boundaries. All persons, other than those approved by the Captain of the Port or his authorized patrol representative will be prohibited from the zones. The zones encompass the area within a line drawn from the western most edge of the chartered breakwater to the western most edge of Pier 1. The public will be made aware of the safety and security zones through a Broadcast Notice to Mariners made from U.S. Coast Guard Group Woods Hole. U.S. Navy personnel will assist in the enforcement of these zones.

Regulatory Evaluation

This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 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. It is not significant under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040; February 26, 1979). The sizes of the zones are the minimum necessary to provide adequate protection for the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON, her crew, adjoining areas, and the public. The entities most likely to be affected are lobstermen engaged in setting and retrieving pots and pleasure craft engaged in recreational activities and sightseeing. These individuals and vessels have ample space outside of the safety and security zones to engage in these activities and therefore they will not be subject to undue hardship. Commercial vessels, excluding lobstermen, do not normally transit the area of the safety and security zones. Any lobstermen who have gear deployed within the safety and security zones, may request permission from the COTP or his authorized patrol representative to enter the zones to retrieve their gear. Any hardships experienced by persons or vessels are considered minimal compared to the national interest in protecting the USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON and the public.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), we considered whether this proposal will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses and 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 section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this final rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit into Coddington Cove from May 21, 2001 to May 25, 2001. The safety and security zones will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. Vessel traffic can pass safely around the area and only a small number of commercial fishing vessels operate in the area. Vessels engaged in recreational activities, sightseeing and commercial fishing have ample space outside of the safety and security zones to engage in these activities. Before the effective period, we will issue maritime advisories widely available to users of the area.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under subsection 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), the Coast Guard wants to assist small entities in understanding this final rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If your small business or organization would be affected by this final rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please call LT Casey Chmielewski, telephone [phone]. 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 comments on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).

Collection of Information

This rule calls for no collection of information requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

We have analyzed this action under Executive Order 13132, and have determined that this rule does not have federalism implications under that order.

Unfunded Mandates

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) governs the issuance of Federal regulations that require unfunded mandates. An unfunded mandate is a regulation that requires a State, local, or tribal government or the private sector to incur direct costs without the Federal Government's having first provided the funds to pay those unfunded mandate costs. This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate.

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 concern 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. A rule with tribal implications has a substantial direct effect on one or more Indian tribe, 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.

Environment

The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of these regulations and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g) of Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. A written Categorical Exclusion Determination is available in the docket for inspection or copying 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 set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR Part 165 as follows:

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

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6 and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

2. Add temporary § 165.T01-063 to read as follows:

§ 165.T01-063

Safety and Security Zones: USS SAMUEL ELIOT MORISON Port Visit; Newport, RI.

(a) Location. The following area has been declared both a safety zone and a security zone: From a point beginning on land at Latitude 41 degrees 32′13″ N, Longitude 071 degrees 18′43″ W; thence westward along the breakwater to a point on the breakwater at Latitude 41 degrees 31′58″ N, Longitude 071 degrees 19′28″ W; thence southeasterly 1100 yards to a point on the end of Pier 1 at Latitude 41 degrees 31′38″ N, Longitude 071 degrees 19′06″ W; thence east to a point on land at Latitude 41 degrees 31′43″ N, Longitude 071 degrees 18′47″ W; thence north along the shoreline to the beginning point.

(b) Effective date. This rule is effective from 6 a.m. on Monday May 21, 2001, until 12 midnight on Friday, May 25, 2001.

(c) Regulations.

(1) In accordance with the general regulations in §§ 165.23 and 165.33 of this part, entry into or movement within these zones is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Providence or his authorized patrol representative.

(2) No person may swim upon or below the surface of the water within the boundaries of the safety and security zones.

(3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the COTP, the designated on-scene U.S. Coast Guard or Navy patrol personnel. U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the U.S. Coast Guard. Navy patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the U.S. Navy.

(4) The general regulations covering safety and security zones in §§ 165.23 and 165.33, respectively, of this part apply.

Dated: May 10, 2001.

Mark G. VanHaverbeke,

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