[Federal Register: May 27, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 103)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30199-30201]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27my04-11]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[CGD05-04-057]
RIN 1625-AA00
Security Zone; Potomac River, Washington, DC, and Arlington and
Fairfax Counties, VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone, May
27 through May 30, 2004, encompassing the waters of the Potomac River
in order to safeguard a large number of high-ranking officials and
spectators attending the dedication of the National World War II
Memorial from terrorist acts and incidents. This action is necessary to
ensure the safety of persons and property, and prevent terrorist acts
or incidents. This rule prohibits vessels and people from entering the
security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to
depart the security zone, unless specifically exempt under the
provisions in this rule or granted specific permission from the Coast
Guard Captain of the Port Baltimore.
DATES: This rule is effective from 4 a.m. local time on May 27, 2004,
through 10 p.m. local time on May 30, 2004.
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 docket [CGD05-04-057] and are available for inspection or
copying at The Ports and Waterways Department of Coast Guard Activities
Baltimore between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ronald L. Houck, at Coast Guard
Activities Baltimore, Waterways Management Branch, at telephone number
(410) 576-2674.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory Information
On May 4, 2004, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
entitled ``Security Zone; Potomac River, Washington, DC and Arlington
and Fairfax Counties, VA'' in the Federal Register (69 FR 24552). We
received no letters commenting on the proposed rule. No public meeting
was requested, and none was held.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause
exists for
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making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the
Federal Register. Delaying the effective date past May 27, 2004, would
be contrary to the public interest because the security zone is needed
from 4 a.m. May 27 through 10 p.m. May 29, 2004, to protect the public,
high-ranking officials, and ports and waterways of the United States.
Background and Purpose
Terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, inflicted catastrophic
human casualties and property damage. These attacks highlighted the
terrorists' ability and desire to utilize multiple means in different
geographic areas to increase their opportunities to successfully carry
out their mission, thereby maximizing loss of life and destruction of
property using multiple terrorist acts.
Since the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade
Center in New York, the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia and Flight 93
in Pennsylvania, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has issued
several warnings concerning the potential for additional terrorist
attacks within the United States. The threat of maritime attacks is
real as evidenced by the October 2002 attack on a tank vessel off the
coast of Yemen and the prior attack on the USS COLE. These attacks
manifest a continuing threat to U.S. assets as described in the
President's finding in Executive Order 13273 of August 21, 2002 (67 FR
56215, September 3, 2002) that the security of the U.S. is endangered
by the September, 11, 2001 attacks and that such disturbances continue
to endanger the international relations of the United States. See also
Continuation of the National Emergency with Respect to Certain
Terrorist Attacks (67 FR 58317, September 13, 2002); Continuation of
the National Emergency With Respect To Persons Who Commit, Threaten To
Commit, Or Support Terrorism (67 FR 59447, September 20, 2002). The
ongoing hostilities in Afghanistan and conflict in Iraq have made it
prudent for U.S. ports and waterways to be on a higher state of alert
because the Al Qaeda organization and other similar organizations have
declared an ongoing intention to conduct armed attacks on U.S.
interests worldwide.
The Captain of the Port is establishing a security zone for the
dedication of the National World War II Memorial to address the
aforementioned security concerns and to take steps to prevent the
catastrophic impact that a terrorist attack against a large gathering
of spectators and high-ranking officials at or near the National Mall
in Washington, D.C., would have. This temporary security zone applies
to all waters of the Georgetown Channel of the Potomac River, from the
surface to the bottom, between the Long Railroad Bridge to the
Arlington Memorial Bridge and all waters in between, including the
waters of the Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin from May 27 through May
30, 2004. Vessels underway at the time this security zone is
implemented will immediately proceed out of the zone. We will issue
Broadcast Notices to Mariners to further publicize the security zone.
This security zone is issued under authority contained in 50 U.S.C. 191
and 33 U.S.C. 1226.
Except for Public vessels and vessels at berth, mooring or at
anchor, this rule temporarily requires all vessels in the designated
security zone as defined by this rule to depart the security zone.
However, the COTP may, in his discretion, grant waivers or exemptions
to this rule, either on a case-by-case basis or categorically to a
particular class of vessel that otherwise is subject to adequate
control measures.
Discussion of Comments and Changes
The Coast Guard received no comments on the proposed rule during
the comment period published in the NPRM. No public meeting was
requested, and none was held. As a result, no change from the proposed
rule was made.
Regulatory Evaluation
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. It is not ``significant'' under the
regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS).
The Coast Guard received no comments on the proposed rule during
the comment period published in the NPRM. As a result, no change to the
proposed regulatory text was made.
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
operate or transit on the Georgetown Channel of the Potomac River, from
the surface to the bottom, between the Long Railroad Bridge (the most
eastern bridge of the 5-span, Fourteenth Street Bridge complex) to the
Arlington Memorial Bridge and all waters in between, including the
waters of the Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin. This security zone will
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities because vessels with compelling interests that outweigh the
port's security needs may be granted waivers from the requirements of
the security zone.
Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we want to assist small
entities in understanding this 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 Mr. Ronald L. Houck, at Coast
Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Branch, at telephone
number (410) 576-2674.
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
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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 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.
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 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 concluded 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, this rule is categorically excluded, under
figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, from further
environmental documentation. This regulation establishes a security
zone. 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, Waterways.
0
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. 1226,1231; 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; Pub. L. 107-
295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
0170.1.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T05-057 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-057 Security Zone; Potomac River, Washington, DC, and
Arlington and Fairfax Counties, Virginia.
(a) Location. The following area is a security zone: All waters of
the Georgetown Channel of the Potomac River, from the surface to the
bottom, between the Long Railroad Bridge (the most eastern bridge of
the 5-span, Fourteenth Street Bridge complex) to the Arlington Memorial
Bridge and all waters in between, including the waters of the
Georgetown Channel Tidal Basin.
(b) Regulations. (1) Entry into or remaining in this zone is
prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port,
Baltimore, Maryland. Except for Public vessels and vessels at berth,
mooring or at anchor, all vessels in this zone are to depart the
security zone. However, the COTP may, in his discretion grant waivers
or exemptions to this rule, either on a case-by-case basis or
categorically to a particular class of vessel that otherwise is subject
to adequate control measures.
(2) Persons desiring to transit the area of the security zone may
contact the Captain of the Port at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on
VHF channel 16 (157.8 MHz) to seek permission to transit the area. If
permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the
instructions of the Captain of the Port or his or her designated
representative.
(c) Authority. In addition to 33 U.S.C. 1231 and 50 U.S.C. 191, the
authority for this section includes 33 U.S.C. 1226.
(d) Effective period. This section is effective from 4 a.m. local
time on May 27, 2004, through 10 p.m. local time on May 30, 2004.
Dated: May 20, 2004.
Evan Q. Kahler,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port, Baltimore,
Maryland.
[FR Doc. 04-12009 Filed 5-26-04; 8:45 am]
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