[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 18 (Thursday, January 27, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 4155-4156]
[FR Doc No: 2022-01656]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0034]
RIN 1625-AA87

Security Zone; Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus Christi, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary, 500-yard radius,
moving security zone for certain Liquefied Natural Gas Carrier (LNGC)
within the Corpus Christi Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel. The
security zone is needed to protect the vessel and the marine
environment from potential hazards created by Liquefied Natural Gas
(LNG) cargo aboard the vessel. Entry of vessels or persons into the
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the
Port Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from 12:01 a.m.
until 11:59 p.m. on January 27, 2022. For the purposes of enforcement,
actual notice will be used from January 24, 2022, until 12:01 a.m. on
January 27, 2022.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Commander Anthony Garofalo, Sector Corpus
Christi Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-
939-5130, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  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 it is impracticable. We must
establish this security zone by January 24, 2022, to ensure security of
this vessel and lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment
period and then consider those comments before issuing the rule.
    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 the public interest because immediate
action is needed to provide for the security of the vessel.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Sector
Corpus Christi (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated
with the transit of the Motor Vessel (M/V) POINT FORTIN when loaded
will be a security concern within a 500-yard radius of the vessel. This
rule is needed to protect the vessel while the vessel is transiting
within Corpus Christi, TX, from January 24, 2022, through January 27,
2022.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a 500-yard radius temporary moving
security zone around M/V POINT FORTIN. The zone for the vessel will be
enforced from January 24, 2022, until it departs the Corpus Christi
Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel loaded on January 27, 2022. The
duration of the zone is intended to protect the vessel and cargo on
board while the vessel is in transit. No vessel or person will be
permitted to enter the security zone without obtaining permission from
the COTP or a designated representative.
    Entry into this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by
the COTP or a designated representative. A designated representative is
a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard
(USCG) assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector
Corpus Christi. Persons or vessels desiring to enter or pass through
this zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated
representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at<PHONE_NUMBER>. If
permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply with the
instructions of the COTP or designated representative. The COTP or a
designated representative will inform the public through Broadcast
Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate of the
enforcement times and dates for this security zone.

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 Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this
rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size,
duration, and location of the security zone. This rule will impact a
small designated area of 500-yards around the vessel in the Corpus
Christi Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel over a 4 hour period of time
as each vessel transits the channel. Moreover, the rule allows vessels
to seek permission to enter the zone.

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
temporary security 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 contact 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. If
you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes,
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section above.

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 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 moving security zone lasting for the
duration of time that the M/V POINT FORTIN is within the Corpus Christi
Ship Channel and La Quinta Channel while loaded with cargo. It will
prohibit entry within a 500 yard radius of M/V POINT FORTIN while the
vessel is transiting loaded within Corpus Christi Ship Channel and La
Quinta Channel. It is categorically excluded from further review under
L60 in 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 contact 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 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:  46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-
6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0034 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0034  Security Zone; Corpus Christi Ship Channel, Corpus
Christi, TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a security zone: All navigable
waters encompassing a 500-yard radius around each of the following
vessel: M/V POINT FORTIN while the vessel is in the Corpus Christi Ship
Channel and La Quinta Channel.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective without actual
notice from 12:01 a.m. until 11:59 p.m. on January 27, 2022. For the
purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from January 24,
2022, until 12:01 a.m. on January 27, 2022.
    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations in Sec.  165.33 apply.
Entry into the zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of
the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated representative. A
designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer
of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) assigned to units under the operational
control of USCG Sector Corpus Christi.
    (2) Persons or vessels desiring to enter or pass through the zone
must request permission from the COTP Sector Corpus Christi on VHF-FM
channel 16 or by telephone at<PHONE_NUMBER>.
    (3) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply
with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative
will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs),
Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information
Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate of the enforcement times and dates for
the security zone.

    Dated: January 21, 2022.
H.C. Govertsen,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2022-01656 Filed 1-26-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P