2011-21341. Safety Zone; Port Huron Float Down, St. Clair River, Port Huron, MI

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the Captain of the Port Detroit Zone on the St. Clair River, Port Huron, Michigan. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from portions of the St. Clair River during the Port Huron Float Down. Though this is an unsanctioned, non-permitted event, this temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with river tubing and float-down events.

DATES:

This rule is effective and will be enforced from 12 to 8 p.m. on August 21, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0752 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0752 in the “Keyword” box, and then clicking “Search.” They are also available for inspection or copying at 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary rule, call or e-mail Lt. Adrian Palomeque, Prevention Department, Sector Detroit, Coast Guard; 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)(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. Notice was not received in sufficient time for the Coast Guard to solicit public comments before the start of the event. Thus, waiting for a notice and comment period to run would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest because it would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to protect the public from the hazards associated with this Coast Guard exercise.

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. For the same reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph, waiting for the 30-day notice period to run would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest because immediate action is necessary to prevent possible loss of life or property.

Background and Purpose

On August 21, 2011, a non-permitted public event has been advertised over various social-media sites in which a large number of persons may float down a segment of the St. Clair River using inner tubes and other similar floatation devices. This event took place in 2009/2010, though it did not receive a state or Federal permit, it drew in over 5,000 participants. Despite the plan put together by the Federal, state and local officials, emergency responders and LE officials were overwhelmed with medical emergencies, people drifting across the international border, and people trespassing on residential property when trying to get out of the water before the designated finish line. Promotional information for the event continues to be published, and more than 5,000 people are anticipated to float down the river this year.

Based on the amount of public participation and safety concerns identified in 2009 and 2010, the Captain of the Port Detroit has determined that the 2011 float-down poses significant risks to public safety and property. The likely combination of large numbers of participants, strong river currents, limited rescue resources, and difficult emergency response scenarios could easily result in serious injuries or fatalities to float-down participants and spectators. Establishing a safety zone to control movement at the location of the float-down will help ensure the safety of persons and property and minimize the associated risks.

Discussion of Rule

This safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of spectators, vessels, and the public from the hazards associated with the Port Huron Float Down. The 2011 float-down event will occur between about 1 and 5 p.m. on August 21, 2011. This rule will be in effect and the safety zone will be enforced from 12 to 8 p.m. on August 21, 2011.

The safety zone will begin at Lighthouse Beach and encompass all U.S. waters of the St. Clair River bound by a line starting at a point on land north of Coast Guard Station Port Huron at position 43°00′25″ N; 082°25′20″ W, extending east to the international boundary to a point at position 43°00′25″ N; 082°25′02″ W, following south along the international boundary to a point at position 42°54′30″ N; 082°27′41″ W, extending west to a point on land (just north of Stag Island) at position 42°54′30″ N; 082°27′58″ W, and following north along the U.S. shoreline to the point of origin. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 [NAD 83].

All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Detroit or his designated on scene representative. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit or his designated on scene representative. The Captain of the Port Detroit or his designated on scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 21.

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.

We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies and procedures of DHS is unnecessary. This determination is based on the short time that vessels will be restricted from the area of water impacted by the safety zone.

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.

This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners and operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in a portion of the St. Clair River near Port Huron, MI between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on August 21, 2011.

This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: this rule will only be in effect and enforced for eight hours on one day. Vessels may request permission from the Captain of the Port Detroit to transit through the safety zone. The Coast Guard will give notice to the public via a Broadcast Notice to Mariners that the regulation is in effect, allowing vessel owners and operators to plan accordingly.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 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 (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.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will not cause 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 that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction. This rule involves the establishment of a safety zone which will only be effective temporarily and is therefore categorically excluded under paragraph 34(g) of the Instruction.

A final 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 record keeping 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: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 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 § 165.T09-0752 to read as follows:

§ 165.T09-0752

Safety Zone; Port Huron Float Down; St. Clair River; Port Huron, MI.

(a) Location. The safety zone will begin at Lighthouse Beach and encompass all U.S. waters of the St. Clair River, Port Huron, MI, bound by a line starting at a point on land north of Coast Guard Station Port Huron at position 43°00′25″ N; 082°25′20″ W, extending east to the international boundary to a point at position 43°00′25″ N; 082°25′02″ W, following south along the international boundary to a point at position 42°54′30″ N; 082°27′41″ W, extending west to a point on land (just north of Stag Island) at position 42°54′30″ N; 082°27′58″ W, and following north along the U.S. shoreline to the point of origin. (DATUM: NAD 83).

(b) Effective Period. This regulation is effective and will be enforced from 12 p.m. until 8 p.m. on August 21, 2011.

(c) Regulations.

(1) In accordance with the general regulations in section 165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit, or his designated on-scene representative.

(2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may be permitted by the Captain of the Port Detroit or his designated on-scene representative.

(3) The “on-scene representative” of the Captain of the Port is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been designated by the Captain of the Port to act on his behalf. The on-scene representative of the Captain of the Port will be aboard either a Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel. The Captain of the Port or his designated on scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 21.

(4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety zone should contact the Captain of the Port Detroit or his on-scene representative to obtain permission to do so. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to them by the Captain of the Port or his on-scene representative.

Dated: August 9, 2011.

J. E. Ogden,

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