2023-22884. Special Local Regulation; Lake Havasu, Lake Havasu City, AZ

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation in the navigable waters of the Bridgewater Channel, Lake Havasu, AZ during the 12th Annual Bridgewater Channel Cleanup marine event. This regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, supporting vessels, and general users of the waterway during the event, which will be held on October 21, 2023. This special local regulation will temporarily prohibit persons and vessels from entering into, transiting through, anchoring, blocking, or loitering within the event area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Diego or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 7 a.m. through 11 a.m. on October 21, 2023.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this rule, call or email Lieutenant Junior Grade Shelley Turner, Waterways Management, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Diego, CA; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

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 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 we must establish this special local regulation by October 21, 2023. The Coast Guard did not receive final details regarding this event until September 7, 2023. Therefore, it is impracticable to publish an NPRM because we lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then consider those comments before issuing the rule. This regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of life on the navigable waters of Lake Havasu during the marine event.

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 contrary to public interest because action is needed to ensure the safety of life on the navigable waters of Lake Havasu during the marine event on October 21, 2023.

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 San Diego (COTP) has determined that the presence of divers associated with the 12th Annual Bridgewater Channel Underwater Cleanup marine event on October 21, 2023 poses a potential safety concern in the regulated area. This rule is needed to protect persons, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters of Lake Havasu during the marine event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a special local regulation from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on October 21, 2023. This special local regulation will cover all navigable waters, from surface to bottom in the Bridgewater Channel, Lake Havasu, AZ, starting at the London Bridge, proceeding south through the channel, and concluding at the southern entrance of the channel. The duration of the temporary special local regulation is intended to ensure the safety of participants, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters during the scheduled marine event. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the regulated area 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 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 size, location, duration, and time-of-day of the regulated area. The affected portion of the navigable waterway in Lake Havasu will be of very limited duration and is necessary for safety of life of participants in the marine event. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a Local Notice to Mariners about the regulated area.

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 special local regulation lasting only 4 hours that will prohibit entry to a specific portion of the Bridgewater Channel in Lake Havasu, AZ. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L61 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 100

• 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 100 as follows:

PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05–1.

2. Add § 100.T11–134 to read as follows:

§ 100.T11–134

12th Annual Bridgewater Channel Underwater Cleanup, Lake Havasu, Arizona.

(a) Regulated area. The regulations in this section apply to the following area: All navigable waters, from surface to bottom, of the Bridgewater Channel in Lake Havasu, AZ, starting at the London Bridge, proceeding south through the channel, and concluding at the southern entrance of the channel.

(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 San Diego (COTP) in the enforcement of the regulations in this section.

Participant means all persons and vessels registered with the event sponsor as a participant in the race.

(c) Regulations. All non-participants 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 Captain of the Port San Diego or their designated representative.

(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative. They may be contacted by telephone at 619–278–7033. Those in the regulated area must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the designated representative.

(3) The COTP will provide notice of the regulated area through advanced notice via Local Notice to Mariners.

(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on October 21, 2023.

Dated: October 10, 2023.

J.W. Spitler,

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