Security Zones; Lower Mississippi River, Southwest Pass Sea Buoy to Mile Marker 96.0, New Orleans, LA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent moving security zones around cruise ships entering and departing the Lower Mississippi River (LMR) from the Southwest Pass sea buoy to mile marker 96.0. These security zones are needed for the safety and security of these vessels. Entry into these zones is prohibited to all persons and vessels unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective beginning 8 a.m. October 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of [COTP New Orleans-02-005] and are available for inspection or copying at Marine Safety Office New Orleans, 1615 Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA, 70112 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ensign Matthew Dooris, Marine Safety Office New Orleans, Port Waterways Management, at (504) 589-4251.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

On June 11, 2002, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Security Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Southwest Pass Sea Buoy to Mile Marker 96.0, New Orleans, LA”, in the Federal Register (67 FR 39924). We received no comments on the proposed rule. No public hearing was requested, and none was held.

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. National security and intelligence officials continue to warn that future terrorist attacks against United States interests are likely. The temporary final rule published in the Federal Register on June 11, 2002 (67 FR 39853) expires on October 15, 2002. When the temporary rule expires, this final rule replaces it. Any delay in making this final rule effective would be contrary to the public interest because action is necessary to protect against the possible loss of life, injury, or damage to property.

Background and Purpose

On September 11, 2001, both towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were attacked by terrorists. National security and intelligence officials have warned that future terrorist attacks against civilian targets may be anticipated. In response to these terrorist acts, heightened awareness and security of our ports and harbors and the vessels that transit them is necessary. Due to the increased safety and security concerns surrounding the transit of cruise ships, the Captain of the Port, New Orleans established temporary security zones around these vessels [COTP New Orleans-02-004]. The temporary final rule was published June 11, 2002 in the Federal Register (67 FR 39853) and remains in effect until 8 a.m. October 15, 2002. We received no comments concerning this temporary final rule.

Advisories regarding threats of terrorism continue. The Captain of the Port New Orleans has determined that there is a need for these security zones to remain in effect indefinitely. The Captain of the Port New Orleans is establishing permanent security zones around these vessels as they transit between Southwest Pass and mile marker 96.0 LMR.

Moving security zones are established when a cruise ship passes the Southwest Pass Entrance Lighted Buoy “SW” inbound and continues through its transit, mooring, and return transit until it passes the sea buoy outbound. During this time, no vessel may operate within 500 yards of a cruise ship unless operating at the minimum safe speed required to maintain a safe course. Except as described in this rule, no person or vessel is permitted to enter within 100 feet of a cruise ship unless expressly authorized by the Captain of the Port New Orleans. Moored vessels or vessels anchored in a designated anchorage area are permitted to remain within 100 feet of a cruise ship while it is in transit.

The establishment of moving security zones described in this rule will be announced to mariners via Marine Safety Information Broadcast.

For the purpose of this final rule the term “cruise ship” is defined as a passenger vessel over 100 gross tons, carrying more than 12 passengers for hire, making a voyage lasting more than 24 hours any part of which is on the high seas, and for which passengers are embarked or disembarked in the United States or its territories. This definition covers passenger vessels that must comply with 33 CFR parts 120 and 128..

Discussion of Comments and Changes

We received no comments on the proposed rule or temporary final rule. The inner perimeter of the security zone was changed from 100 yards to 100 feet to allow for the passage of other vessels at bends and other narrow areas of the Lower Mississippi River. Because this change is less restrictive than the proposed rule we did not issue a supplemental NPRM.

Regulatory Evaluation

This rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory and 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 Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979).

We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. The impacts on routine navigation are expected to be minimal as the zones will only impact navigation for a short period of time and the size of the zones allows for the transit of most vessels with minimal delay.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601—612), we 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 or operators of vessels intending to transit Southwest Pass and the Lower Mississippi River, to mile marker 96.0. These security zones will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The size of the security zones allow for vessels to safely transit around or through the zones with minimal interference.

If you are a small business entity and are significantly affected by this regulation please contact ENS Matthew Dooris, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office New Orleans, 1615 Poydras Street, New Orleans, Louisiana at (504) 589-4251.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking processes.

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 an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will not affect 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 would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 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. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Environment

The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g) of Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation because this rule is not expected to result in any significant environmental impact as described in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). A “Categorical Exclusion Determination” is 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 and 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. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

2. Add § 165.812 to read as follows: