[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 2, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11334-11337]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4631]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0086]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Soil Sampling; Chicago River, Chicago, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the
North Branch of the Chicago River near Chicago, Illinois. This zone is
intended to restrict vessels from a portion of the North Branch of the
Chicago River due to soil sampling in this area. This temporary safety
zone is necessary to protect the surrounding public and vessels from
the hazards

associated with the soil sampling efforts.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. on March 1, 2011, until 5
p.m. on March 3, 2011. This rule will be enforced daily from 7 a.m.
until 5 p.m. on March 1, 2, and 3, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0086 and are available online
by going to www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0086 in the
``Keyword'' box, and then clicking ``search.'' They are also available
for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30),
U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground floor, Room
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this
temporary rule, call or email BM1 Adam Kraft, U.S. Coast Guard Sector
Lake Michigan, at<PHONE_NUMBER> or<EMAIL_ADDRESS>If you have
questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager,
Docket Operations, telephone<PHONE_NUMBER>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final 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 the final details for this sampling
were not received by the Coast Guard until February 7, 2011.
Furthermore, the Coast Guard has reached out to potentially affected
waterway users and has determined that potential impacts as a result of
this safety zone will be minimal. Given the short time frame, low
impact of the zone, and hazards associated with soil sampling, delaying
the enactment of this rule would be contrary to the public interest.
    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. A 30-day notice period is not
possible given the short time frame for enacting this regulation. Given
the hazards created by soil sampling, delaying the effective date of
this rule would be contrary to the public interest.

Background and Purpose

    This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect vessels from the
hazards associated with the soil sampling efforts. The use of the
machinery associated in these soil sampling efforts pose serious risks
of injury to persons and property. As such, the Captain of the Port,
Sector Lake Michigan, has determined that the sampling effort does pose
significant risks to public safety and property and that a safety zone
is necessary.

Discussion of Rule

    The safety zone will encompass all U.S. navigable waters of the
North Branch of the Chicago River in the vicinity of North Avenue and
Fullerton Avenue between Mile Marker 328.0 and Mile Marker 329.5 of the
North Branch of the Chicago River in Chicago, IL. [DATUM: NAD 83].
    All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the
Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her
on-scene representative. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within
the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the
Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her on-scene representative. The
Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her on-scene
representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Regulatory Planning and Review

    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.
    This determination is based on the minimal time that vessels will
be restricted from the zone and the zone is an area where the Coast
Guard expects insignificant adverse impact to mariners from the zones'
activation.

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 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
or anchor in a portion of the North Branch of the Chicago River between
7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on March 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, 2011.
    This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This
rule will only be enforced while unsafe conditions exist. Vessel
traffic will be minimal due to the time of year that this closure will
occur and because the location of the safety zone is in an area that
typically does not experience high volumes of vessel traffic. Several
commercial traffic entities have already been contacted concerning this
closure and have confirmed that it will not affect them in a negative
way.
    In the event that this temporary safety zone affects shipping,
commercial vessels may request permission from the Captain of The Port,
Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her on scene representative to transit
through the safety zone. The Coast Guard will give notice to the public
via a Broadcast to Mariners that the regulation is in effect.

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 can better evaluate its
effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. 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.

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 expenditures, 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 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 Department of Homeland Security
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, 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
this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually
or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment.
This rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph
(34)(g), of the Instruction. This rule involves the establishment of a
safety zone and is therefore categorically excluded under paragraph
34(g) of the Instruction.
    A final environmental analysis checklist and a categorical
exclusion determination are 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

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 1226, 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter
701, 3306, 3703; 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.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T09-0086 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T09-0086  Safety Zone; Soil Sampling, North Branch of the
Chicago River, Chicago, Illinois

    (a) Location. The safety zone will encompass all U.S. navigable
waters of the North Branch of the Chicago River in the vicinity of
North Avenue and Fullerton Avenue between Mile Marker 328.0 and Mile
Marker 329.5 of the North Branch of the Chicago River in Chicago, IL.
[DATUM: NAD 83].
    (b) Effective period. This regulation is effective from 7 a.m. on
March 1, 2011 until 5 p.m. on March 3, 2011. This regulation will be
enforced daily from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on March 1, 2, and 3, 2011. The
Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her on-scene
representative may suspend and restart the enforcement of the safety
zone during the effective period at any time.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within
this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the
Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her on-scene representative.
    (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may
be permitted by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his
or her on-scene representative.
    (3) The ``on-scene representative'' of the Captain of the Port,
Sector Lake Michigan, is any Coast Guard

commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been designated by the
Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, to act on his or her behalf.
The on-scene representative of the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake
Michigan, will be in the vicinity of the safety zone and will have
constant communications with the involved safety vessels which will be
provided by the contracting company.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety
zone shall contact the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or
his or her on-scene representative to obtain permission to do so. The
Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or his or her on-scene
representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16. Vessel operators
given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone must comply
with all directions given to them by the Captain of the Port, Sector
Lake Michigan, or his or her on-scene representative.

    Dated: February 18, 2011.
L. Barndt,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard. Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 2011-4631 Filed 3-25-11; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Page 58028]
[FR Doc No: 2014-22877]

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Railroad Administration

[Docket Number FRA-2014-0084]

Notice of Application for Approval of Discontinuance or
Modification of a Railroad Signal System

    In accordance with Part 235 of Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations
(CFR) and 49 U.S.C. 20502(a), this document provides the public notice
that by a document dated August 12, 2014, Norfolk Southern Corporation
(NS) has petitioned the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) seeking
approval for the discontinuance or modification of a signal system. FRA
assigned the petition Docket Number FRA-2014-0084.
    Applicants: Norfolk Southern Corporation, Mr. Brian L. Sykes, Chief
Engineer C&S Engineering, 1200 Peachtree Street NE., Atlanta, GA 30309.
    NS seeks approval of the proposed retirement of Control Point (CP)
145 and the discontinuance of the traffic control system (TCS) on the
Miami Outbound Track, Milepost (MP) CJ 144.7 to MP CJ 145.2; Miami
Inbound Track, MP QZ 0.0 to MP QZ 0.85; Alton Outbound Track, MP CJ
145.2 to MP CJ 146.2; and the Alton Inbound Track, MP CJ 145.81 to MP
CJ 146.2; and on the Buckeye Yard Branch and Dayton District of the NS
Lake Division, North Alton, OH.
    The reason given for the proposed changes is that Buckeye Yard is
no longer used as a classification yard and the existing operating
rules and CP are no longer required for railroad operations. All tracks
listed above will be designated ``yard limits'' under NS Operating Rule
137. Switch 1 at CP 145 will be converted to a hand-thrown switch and
all signals will be removed.
    A copy of the petition, as well as any written communications
concerning the petition, is available for review online at
www.regulations.gov and in person at the U.S. Department of
Transportation's (DOT) Docket Operations Facility, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC 20590. The Docket Operations
Facility is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal Holidays.
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these proceedings
by submitting written views, data, or comments. FRA does not anticipate
scheduling a public hearing in connection with these proceedings since
the facts do not appear to warrant a hearing. If any interested party
desires an opportunity for oral comment, they should notify FRA, in
writing, before the end of the comment period and specify the basis for
their request.
    All communications concerning these proceedings should identify the
appropriate docket number and may be submitted by any of the following
methods:
     Web site: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the online
instructions for submitting comments.
     Fax:<PHONE_NUMBER>.
     Mail: Docket Operations Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., W12-140, Washington, DC
20590.
     Hand Delivery: 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Room W12-140,
Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal Holidays.
    Communications received by November 10, 2014 will be considered by
FRA before final action is taken. Comments received after that date
will be considered as far as practicable.
    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of any written
communications and comments received into any of our dockets by the
name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the document,
if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.).
See http://www.regulations.gov/#!privacyNotice for the privacy notice
of regulations.gov or interested parties may review DOT's complete
Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11,
2000 (65 FR 19477).

    Issued in Washington, DC, on September 22, 2014.
Ron Hynes,
Director, Office of Safety Assurance and Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2014-22877 Filed 9-25-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-06-P