2022-07656. Safety Zone; Chincoteague Bay, Chincoteague, VA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters within a 500-yard radius from centerpoint of a downed aircraft reported within Chincoteague Bay just north of Wildcat Point. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with the damage assessment and salvage of the grounded aircraft, through May 6, 2022. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Virginia or designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective without actual notice from April 13, 2022 through May 6, 2022. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from April 7, 2022, until April 13, 2022.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2021-0751 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 LCDR Ashley Holm, Sector Virginia, 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

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 March 31, 2022, the Coast Guard issued notification of a rulemaking creating a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of Chincoteague Bay to protect persons and vessels during damage assessment and salvage operations at the aircraft wreck site. The original safety zone was effective through April 7, 2022. A copy of the rulemaking that ended on April 7, 2022 is available in the Docket USCG-2022-0751, which can be found using instructions in the ADDRESSES section. However, additional time is needed to conduct the damage assessment and salvage operations, and, as a result, the Coast Guard is establishing through temporary regulations a safety zone that will be in effect through May 6, 2022. 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) with respect to this extension 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 and required publication of this extension.

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 aircraft wreckage site 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 wreckage and establishing immediate maritime safety in the vicinity of on-scene salvage and damage assessments.

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 Virginia (COTP) has determined that potential hazards exist within the aircraft wreckage site and it is necessary to keep the area clear while assessments and salvage operations are being conducted. This rule is needed to protect persons who may transit in the vicinity of the wreckage site which involves on-going damage assessments, the potential for floating wreckage debris, potential pollution, and salvage operations.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a temporary safety zone through May 6, 2022. The safety zone includes all navigable waters within 500 yards of the wreckage site at approximate position 37°59.27′ N, 075°18.75′ W just north of Wildcat Point. The extended duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the maritime environment in these navigable waters while damage assessment and salvage operations are conducted. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a 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. 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 Chincoteague Bay for a total of no more than 30 days and operations may suspend early at the discretion of the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia.

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 for 30 days that will prohibit entry within certain navigable waters of the Chincoteague Bay. 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; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. Add § 165.T05-0751 to read as follows:

§ 165.T05-0751

Safety Zone; Chincoteague Bay, Chincoteague, VA

(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of the Chincoteague Bay extending 500 yards from centerpoint of the wreckage site at approximate position 37° 59.27′ N, 075° 18.75″ W just north of Wildcat Point.

(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 Virginia (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 rule will be enforced April 7, 2022, through May 6, 2022, unless an earlier end is announced by broadcast notice to mariners.

Dated: April 5, 2022.

Samson C. Stevens,

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