E7-21977. Safety Zone; Alameda County Sheriff's Office Maritime Interdiction Training, San Francisco Bay, CA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of San Francisco Bay, during the Alameda County Sheriff's Office Maritime Interdiction Training. This safety zone is established to ensure the safety of participants and the public from dangers associated with the training. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 1, 2007, November 8, 2007, and November 15, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of the docket COTP San Francisco Bay 07-051 and are available for inspection or copying at Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, 1 Yerba Buena Island, San Francisco, California, 94130, between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ensign Sheral Richardson, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, at [phone].

Regulatory Information

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. Logistical details surrounding the event were not finalized and presented to the Coast Guard in time to draft and publish an NPRM. As such, the event would occur before the rulemaking process was complete. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of participants, participating vessels, and other vessels transiting the event area. For the safety concerns noted, it is in the public interest to have these regulations in effect during the training.

For the same reasons listed in the previous paragraph, 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. Any delay in the effective date of this rule would expose mariners to the dangers posed by the training.

Background and Purpose

The Alameda County Sheriff's Office will be hosting Maritime Interdiction training provided by A-T Solutions. The training consists of classroom training and a practical exercise onboard a ship. The course is designed to provide law enforcement personnel with the tools and techniques necessary to identify, intercept, and safely board a non-compliant vessel at sea. Maritime attacks, boarding equipment, and boarding procedures will be covered while onboard the ship.

During this event the ship may be anchored, drifting, or underway. The Blue and Gold Fleet Company will provide a ferry to be used as a non-compliant vessel during the training exercises. The practical training on board the Blue and Gold Fleet vessel will take place on November 1, 2007, November 8, 2007, and November 15, 2007, during the hours of 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Discussion of Rule

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the vicinity of Hunters Point, in San Francisco Bay. The effect of the temporary safety zone will be to restrict general navigation in the vicinity of Hunters Point, while the training is taking place.

The safety zone includes all navigable waters from the surface to the seafloor, encompassed by connecting the following points: Beginning at 37°43′45″ N and longitude 122°20′48″ W; latitude 37°43′45″ N and longitude 122°19′33″ W; latitude 37°42′12″ N and longitude 122°20′48″ W; latitude 37°42′12″ N and longitude 122°19′33″ W, and then back to the beginning point. These coordinates are based upon datum: NAD 83.

Except for persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the safety zone. This safety zone is necessary to keep the public and vessels a safe distance away from the training to ensure the safety of participants, participating vessels, and transiting vessels.

Regulatory Evaluation

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.

Although this rule restricts access to the waters encompassed by the safety zone, the effect of this rule will not be significant because the local waterway users will be notified via public Broadcast Notice to Mariners to ensure the safety zone will result in minimum impact. The entities most likely to be affected are pleasure craft engaged in recreational activities.

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 is not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of entities, some of which may be small entities. This rule may affect owners and operators of pleasure craft engaged in recreational activities and sightseeing. This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for several reasons: (i) Vessel traffic can pass safely around the area, (ii) vessels engaged in recreational activities and sightseeing have ample space outside of the effected portion of San Francisco Bay to engage in these activities, (iii) this rule will encompass only a small portion of the waterway for a limited period of time, and (iv) the maritime public will be advised in advance of this safety zone via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. If the rule will affect your small business, organization, or government jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions, options for compliance, or assistance in understanding this rule, please contact Ensign Sheral Richardson, U.S. Coast Guard Sector San Francisco, at [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 comment 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 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 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 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 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 Commandant Instruction M16475.lD and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 5100.1, 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 that there are no factors in this case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, from further environmental documentation. Paragraph (34)(g) is applicable because this rule establishes a safety zone. A final “Environmental Analysis Check List” and a final “Categorical Exclusion Determination” will be available in the docket 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 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.T11-254 to read as follows:

§ 165.T11-254

Safety Zone; Alameda County Sheriff's Office Maritime Interdiction Training, San Francisco Bay, CA.

(a) Location. This temporary safety zone is established for the navigable waters of San Francisco Bay in the vicinity of Hunters Point and includes all navigable waters, from the surface to the seafloor, encompassed by connecting the following points: beginning at 37° 43′45″ N and longitude 122° 20′48″ W; latitude 37° 43′45″ N and longitude 122° 19′33″ W; latitude 37° 42′12″ N and longitude 122° 20′48″ W; latitude 37° 42′12″ N and longitude 122° 19′ 33″ W, and then back to the beginning point. These coordinates are based upon datum: NAD 83.

(b) Enforcement Period. This safety zone is in effect from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 1, 2007, November 8, 2007, and November 15, 2007. If the training events conclude prior to their scheduled termination times, the Coast Guard will cease enforcement of this safety zone and will announce that fact via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

(c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in Sec. 165.23 of this part, entry into, transit through, or anchoring within this safety zone by all vessels and persons is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, San Francisco, or his designated representative.

(2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port, San Francisco, or the designated representative.

(3) Designated representative means any commissioned, warrant, and petty officer of the Coast Guard on board a Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, local, state, or federal law enforcement vessel who is authorized to act on behalf of the Captain of the Port, San Francisco.

(4) Upon being hailed by U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. Persons and vessels may request permission to enter the safety zone on VHF-16 or via telephone at [phone].

(5) The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of this safety zone by local law enforcement as necessary.

Dated: October 30, 2007.

W. J. Uberti,

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