[Federal Register: February 12, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 29)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 7075-7078]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr12fe03-5]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[COTP San Diego 03-008]
RIN 2115-AA97
Security Zone; San Diego Bay
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is temporarily expanding the geographical
boundaries of the permanent security zone at Naval Base Coronado,
California at the request of the U.S. Navy. The
[[Page 7076]]
additional size will accommodate the Navy's placement of anti-small
boat barrier booms within the zone. Entry into this zone is prohibited
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) San Diego, the
Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Commander, Navy
Region Southwest, or the Commanding Officer, Naval Base Coronado.
DATES: This rule is effective from 11:59 p.m. on February 11, 2003 to
11:59 p.m. on May 11, 2003.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in
the docket, are part of docket [COTP San Diego 03-008], and are
available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety
Office San Diego, 2716 N. Harbor Drive, San Diego California 92101,
between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Rick Sorrell,
Chief of Port Operations, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at (619) 683-
6495.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION
Regulatory Information
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this
temporary regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds
that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. While the Navy has
been implementing many force protection measures since the attack on
the U.S.S. Cole and the attacks of September 11, 2001, the Chief of
Naval Operations has recently emphasized the need for the expanded use
of anti-small boat barrier booms around Navy vessels in U.S. ports to
protect against attacks similar to the one launched against the U.S.S.
Cole. In addition, the Office of Homeland Security through its web site
has described the current nationwide threat level as ``Elevated.''
According to the Office of Homeland Security, an Elevated Condition is
declared when there is a significant risk of terrorist attacks. The
Coast Guard believes that issuing an NPRM and thereby delaying
implementation of the expanded security zone would be against the
public interest during this elevated state of alert.
Although we had anticipated using the effective period of the
current temporary final rule to engage in notice and comment
rulemaking, the Captain of the Port has decided to extend the effective
period for 3 months to allow sufficient time to properly develop
permanent regulations tailored to the present and foreseeable security
environment. This extension preserves the status quo within the Port
while a permanent rule is developed.
For the reasons stated in the paragraphs above under 5 U.S.C. 553
(d)(3), the Coast Guard also finds that good cause exists for making
this regulation effective less than 30 days after publication in the
Federal Register. Any delay in implementing this rule would be contrary
to the public interest since immediate action is necessary to ensure
the protection of the Naval vessels, their crew, and national security.
Furthermore, in order to protect the interests of national
security, the Coast Guard is promulgating this temporary regulation to
provide for the safety and security of U.S. Naval vessels in the
navigable waters of the United States. As a result, the establishment
and enforcement of this security zone is a function directly involved
in and necessary to military operations. Accordingly, based on the
military function exception set forth in the Administrative Procedure
Act, 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(1), notice and comment rule-making and advance
publication, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b) and (d), are not required for
this regulation.
The Coast Guard has plans to make the expansion of the security
zone permanent. Towards that end, the Coast Guard will initiate notice
and comment rulemaking before issuing any final rule.
Background and Purpose
The Coast Guard is expanding the security zone to allow the U.S.
Navy to put in place anti-small boat barrier booms at Naval Base
Coronado. The expansion of this security zone is needed to ensure the
physical protection of naval vessels moored in the area by providing
adequate standoff distance. The expansion of this security zone will
also prevent recreational and commercial craft from interfering with
military operations involving all naval vessels home-ported at Naval
Base Coronado and it will protect transiting recreational and
commercial vessels, and their respective crews, from the navigational
hazards posed by such military operations. In addition, the Navy has
been reviewing all aspects of its anti-terrorism and force protection
posture in response to the attack on the U.S.S. Cole and the terrorist
attacks of September 11, 2001. The expansion of this security zone will
safeguard vessels and waterside facilities from destruction, loss, or
injury from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other
causes of a similar nature. Entry into, transit through, or anchoring
within this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the
Captain of the Port, Commander, Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet,
the Commander, U.S. Naval Base San Diego, or the Commander, Naval Base
Coronado. Vessels or persons violating this section would be subject to
the penalties set forth in 50 U.S.C. 192 and 18 U.S.C. 3571: seizure
and forfeiture of the vessel, a monetary penalty of not more than
$250,000, and imprisonment for not more than 10 years. The U.S. Coast
Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of this security
zone by the U.S. Navy.
Regulatory Evaluation
This temporary final 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 Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979).
The implementation of this security zone is necessary for the
protection of the United States' national security interests. The size
of the zone is the minimum necessary to allow for safe placement of the
anti-small boat booms while providing adequate protection for U.S.
Naval vessels, their crews, adjoining areas, and the public. The
entities most likely to be affected, if any, are pleasure craft engaged
in recreational activities and sightseeing in close proximity to the
Naval Base. Any hardships experienced by persons or vessels wishing to
approach the Naval Base are considered minimal compared to the national
interest in protecting U.S. Naval vessels, their crews, and the public.
The expansion of the security zone will not impact navigation in the
shipping channel.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Coast
Guard considered whether this rule would have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small
entities'' include small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that
are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations less than
50,000.
This security zone will not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities because these security zones are
only closing small portions of the navigable waters adjacent to Naval
Base Coronado. In
[[Page 7077]]
addition, there are no small entities shoreward of the security zone.
For these reasons, and the ones discussed in the previous section, the
Coast Guard certifies, under 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that this temporary final
rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial
number of small entities.
Assistance for Small Entities
In accordance with section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), the Coast Guard
offers to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they
can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the
rulemaking process. If your small business or organization is affected
by this rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or
options for compliance, please contact Lieutenant Commander Rick
Sorrell, Chief of Port Operations, Marine Safety Office San Diego, at
(619) 683-6495.
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 and have
determined that this rule 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.
To help the Coast Guard establish regular and meaningful
consultation and collaboration with Indian and Alaskan Native tribes,
we published a notice in the Federal Register (66 FR 36361, July 11,
2001) requesting comments on how to best carry out the Order. We invite
your comments on how this proposed rule might impact tribal
governments, even if that impact may not constitute a ``tribal
implication'' under the Order.
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
We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and
concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of Commandant
Instruction M16475.lD, this rule, which temporarily modifies an
existing security zone, is categorically excluded from further
environmental documentation. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination''
is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated
under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record
keeping 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. 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.
Sec. 165.1104 [Suspended]
2. Temporarily suspend Sec. 165.1104 from 11:59 p.m. on February
11, 2003 to 11:59 p.m. on May 11, 2003.
3. Add new temporary Sec. 165.T11-049 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T11-049 Security Zone: San Diego Bay, CA.
(a) Location. The following area is a security zone: on the waters
along the northern shoreline of Naval Base Coronado, the area enclosed
by the following points: Beginning at 32[deg]42' 53.0''N, 117[deg] 11'
45.0W (Point A); thence running northerly to 32[deg] 42' 55.5''N,
117[deg] 11'45.0''W, (Point B); thence running easterly to 32[deg] 42'
55.8''N, 117[deg] 11' 29.2''W, (Point C); thence southeasterly to
32[deg] 42' 49.0''N, 117[deg] 11' 17.0''W (Point D); thence
southeasterly to 32[deg] 42' 41.5''N, 117[deg] 11' 04.5''W (Point E)
thence running southerly to 32[deg] 42' 37.5''N, 117[deg] 11' 07.0'' W
(Point F); thence running southerly to 32[deg] 42' 28.5''N, 117[deg]
11' 11.0''W (Point G); thence running southeasterly to 32[deg] 42'
22.0''N, 117[deg] 10' 48.0''W (Point H); thence running southerly to
32[deg] 42' 13.0''N, 117[deg] 10' 51.0''W (Point I); thence running
generally northwesterly along the shoreline of Naval Base Coronado to
the place of beginning.
[[Page 7078]]
(b) Effective Dates. This section is effective from 11:59 p.m. on
February 11, 2003 to 11:59 p.m. on May 11, 2003.
(c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in
Sec. 165.33 of this part, entry into the area of this zone is
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, the Commander,
Naval Air Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, the Commander, Navy Region
Southwest, or the Commanding Officer, Naval Base Coronado. Section
165.33 also contains other general requirements.
(d) Enforcement. The U. S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the
patrol and enforcement of this security zone by the U.S. Navy.
Dated: January 28, 2003.
Stephen P. Metruck,
Commander, Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, San Diego.
[FR Doc. 03-3463 Filed 2-11-03; 8:45 am]
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