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Safety Zone; Patapsco River, Northwest and Inner Harbors, Baltimore, MD
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[Federal Register: June 22, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 120)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 35854-35856]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr22jn06-32]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[CGD05-06-062]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Patapsco River, Northwest and Inner Harbors, Baltimore, MD
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone
upon certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, and Inner
Harbor during the movement of the historic sloop-of-war USS
CONSTELLATION. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of
life on navigable waters during the tow of the vessel from its berth at
the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, Maryland, to a point on the Patapsco
River near the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in
Baltimore, Maryland, and return. This action will restrict vessel
traffic in portions of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor, and Inner
Harbor during the event.
DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or
before August 7, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander,
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Building
70, Waterways Management Division, Baltimore, Maryland, 21226-1791.
Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, maintains
the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received
from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as
being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will
be available for inspection or copying at Commander, U.S. Coast Guard
Sector Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Building 70, Waterways
Management Division, Baltimore, Maryland 21226-1791, between 8 a.m. and
3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ronald Houck, at Coast Guard
Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at telephone number
(410) 576-2674 or (410) 576-2693.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD05-06-
062), indicate the specific section of this document to which each
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit
all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know
they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or
envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during
the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.
Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a
request for a meeting by writing to Coast Guard Sector Baltimore,
Waterways Management Division, at the address under ADDRESSES
explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would
aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by
a later notice in the Federal Register.
Background and Purpose
The USS CONSTELLATION Museum is planning to conduct a ``turn-
around'' ceremony involving the sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION in
Baltimore, Maryland on Friday, September 8, 2006. Planned events
include a three-hour, round-trip tow of the USS CONSTELLATION in the
Port of Baltimore, with an onboard salute with navy pattern cannon
while the historic vessel is positioned off Fort McHenry National
Monument and Historic Site. The historic Sloop-of-War USS CONSTELLATION
will be towed ``dead ship,'' which means that the vessel will be
underway without the benefit of mechanical or sail propulsion. The
return dead ship tow of the USS CONSTELLATION to its berth in the Inner
Harbor is expected to occur immediately upon execution of a tug-
assisted turn-around of the USS CONSTELLATION on the Patapsco River
near Fort McHenry. The Coast Guard anticipates a large recreational
boating fleet during this event, scheduled on a late Friday afternoon
during the summer in Baltimore, Maryland. Operators should expect
significant vessel congestion along the planned route.
The purpose of this rule is to promote maritime safety and protect
participants and the boating public in the Port of Baltimore
immediately prior to, during, and after the scheduled event. The rule
will provide for a clear transit route for
[[Page 35855]]
the participating vessels, and provide a safety buffer around the
participating vessels while they are in transit. The rule will impact
the movement of all vessels operating upon certain waters of the
Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner Harbor.
Discussion of Proposed Rule
The historic sloop-of-war USS CONSTELLATION is scheduled to be
towed ``dead ship'' on September 8, 2006. The USS CONSTELLATION is
scheduled to be towed from its berth at Pier 1 in Baltimore's Inner
Harbor to a point on the Patapsco River near Fort McHenry National
Monument and Historic Shrine, Baltimore, Maryland, to take place along
a one-way, planned route of approximately four nautical miles, that
includes specified waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and
Inner Harbor. After being turned-around, the USS CONSTELLATION will be
returned to its original berth at Pier 1, Inner Harbor, Baltimore,
Maryland.
The safety of dead ship tow participants requires that persons and
vessels be kept at a safe distance from the intended route during this
evolution. The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary moving
safety zone around the USS CONSTELLATION dead ship tow participants on
September 8, 2006, to ensure the safety of participants and spectators
immediately prior to, during, and following the dead ship tow.
Interference with normal port operations will be kept to the minimum
considered necessary to ensure the safety of life on the navigable
waters immediately before, during, and after the scheduled event.
Regulatory Evaluation
This proposed 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. It is not ``significant''
under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS).
We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies
and procedures of DHS is unnecessary.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have
considered whether this proposed 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 proposed
rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities. This rule would affect the following
entities, some of which might be small entities: The owners or
operators of vessels intending to operate, remain or anchor within
certain waters of the Patapsco River, Northwest Harbor and Inner
Harbor, in Baltimore, Maryland, from 2 p.m. through 7 p.m. on September
8, 2006. Because the zone is of limited size and duration, it is
expected that there will be minimal disruption to the maritime
community. Before the effective period, the Coast Guard will issue
maritime advisories widely available to users of the river and harbors
to allow mariners to make alternative plans for transiting the affected
areas. In addition, smaller vessels not constrained by their draft,
which are more likely to be small entities, may transit around the
safety zone.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what
degree this rule would economically affect it.
Assistance for Small Entities
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 proposed rule so that they can better
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the
rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or
options for compliance, please contact the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. 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 proposed rule would call 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 proposed 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 proposed rule would not result in such an
expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this
preamble.
Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule under Executive Order 13045,
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might
disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it would 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.
[[Page 35856]]
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this proposed 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 proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and
have made a preliminary determination 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, we believe that this rule should
be categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the
Instruction, from further environmental documentation. This rule
establishes a safety zone.
A preliminary ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' is available in
the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. Comments on this section
will be considered before we make the final decision on whether this
rule should be categorically excluded from further environmental review.
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 proposes
to amend 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(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Public
Law 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security
Delegation No. 0170.1.
2. Add Sec. 165.T05-062 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-062 Safety Zone; Patapsco River, Northwest and Inner
Harbors, Baltimore, MD.
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section:
(1) Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland means the Commander,
Coast Guard Sector Baltimore or any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant,
or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port,
Baltimore, Maryland to act on his or her behalf.
(2) USS CONSTELLATION ``turn-around'' participants means the USS
CONSTELLATION, its support craft and the accompanying towing vessels.
(b) Location. The following area is a moving safety zone: all
waters within 200 yards ahead of or 100 yards outboard or aft of the
historic Sloop-of-War USS CONSTELLATION, surface to bottom, while
operating in the Inner Harbor, the Northwest Harbor and the Patapsco
River.
(c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations governing safety
zones, found in Sec. 165.23, apply to the safety zone described in
paragraph (b) of this section.
(2) With the exception of USS CONSTELLATION ``turn-around''
participants, entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited,
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland.
(3) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the
moving safety zone must first request authorization from the Captain of
the Port, Baltimore, Maryland to seek permission to transit the area.
The Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland can be contacted at
telephone number (410) 576-2693. The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this
section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF Channel 16 (156.8
MHz). Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio,
flashing light, or other means, the person or vessel shall proceed as
directed. If permission is granted, all persons or vessels must comply
with the instructions of the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland,
and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course
while within the zone.
(d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol
and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State and local agencies.
(e) Effective period. This section will be enforced from 2 p.m.
through 7 p.m. local time on September 8, 2006.
Dated: June 7, 2006.
Brian D. Kelley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. E6-9865 Filed 6-21-06; 8:45 am]
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