[Federal Register: December 21, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 244)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 76415-76417]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr21de04-15]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[COTP Western Alaska-04-002]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Gulf of Alaska, Sitkinak Island, Kodiak Island, AK
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the
Gulf of Alaska, east of Sitkinak Island, Kodiak Island, Alaska. The
zone is needed to protect persons and vessels operating in the vicinity
of the safety zone during a rocket launch from the Alaska Aerospace
Development Corporation, Narrow Cape, Kodiak Island facility. Entry of
vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by the Commander, Seventeenth Coast Guard District, the
Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Western Alaska, or their on-scene
representative.
DATES: This temporary final rule is effective from 1 p.m. on December
8, 2004 through 6:30 p.m. on January 31, 2005.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in
the docket are available for inspection and copying at Coast Guard
Marine Safety Office Anchorage, 510 ``L'' Street, Suite 100, Anchorage,
AK 99501. Normal Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT Meredith Gillman, Marine Safety
Office Anchorage, at (907) 271-6700.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory History
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this
regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(8), the Coast Guard finds that good
cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. Because the hazardous
condition is expected to last for approximately 8 hours each day, and
because general permission to enter the safety zone will be given
during non-hazardous times, the impact of this rule on commercial and
recreational traffic is expected to be minimal. Any delay encountered
in this regulation's effective date would be contrary to public
interest because immediate action is needed to protect human life and
property from possible fallout from the rocket launch. The parameters
of the zone will not unduly impair business and transits of vessels.
The Coast Guard will announce via Broadcast Notice to Mariners the
anticipated date and time of each launch and will grant general
permission to enter the safety zone during those times in which the
launch does not pose a hazard to mariners.
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. The process of scheduling a rocket
launch is uncertain due to unforeseen delays such as weather that can
cause cancellation of the launch. The Coast Guard attempts to publish a
final rule as close to the expected launch date as possible, however,
these attempts often prove futile due to frequent re-scheduling. Any
delay encountered in this regulation's effective date would be contrary
to public interest since immediate action is needed to protect human
life and property from possible fallout from the rocket launch. The
parameters of the zone will not unduly impair business and transits of
vessels. The Coast Guard will announce via Broadcast Notice to Mariners
the anticipated date and time of each launch and will grant general
permission to enter the safety zone during those times in which the
launch does not pose a hazard to mariners.
Background and Purpose
The Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation will launch an
unmanned rocket from their facility at Narrow Cape, Kodiak Island,
Alaska sometime between 5 p.m. and 1 a.m. each day between December 8,
2004 and January 31, 2005 until rocket launch operations are complete.
The safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and transiting
vessels from the potential hazards associated with the launch.
The Coast Guard will announce via Broadcast Notice to Mariners the
anticipated date and time of the launch and will grant general
permission to enter the safety zone during those times in which a
launch schedule does not pose a hazard to mariners. Because the
hazardous situation is expected to last for approximately 8 hours each
day, and because general permission to enter the safety zone will be
given during non-hazardous times, the impact of this rule on commercial
and recreational traffic is expected to be minimal.
Discussion of Rule
From the latest information received from the Alaska Aerospace
Development Corporation, the launch window is scheduled for 8 hours
each day between December 8, 2004 and January 31, 2004. The size of the
safety zone has been set to protect the public from the reentry and
impact of a rocket motor. The Pacific Range Support Team has identified
a first stage exclusion zone at Sitkinak Island along the launch
trajectory. The COTP will enforce a single safety zone in support of
this exclusion zone. The established safety zone includes the waters of
the Gulf of Alaska and adjacent coastal areas within the boundaries
defined by a line drawn from a point located at 56[deg]40.50' N,
153[deg]42.50' W, then southeast to a point located at 56[deg]34.00' N,
153[deg]29.50' W, then southwest to a point located at 56[deg]12.50' N,
154[deg]2.50' W, and then northwest to a point located at 56[deg]19.00'
N, 154[deg]16.50' W, and then northeast to the point located at
56[deg]40.50' N, 153[deg]42.50' W. All coordinates reference Datum: NAD
1983.
This safety zone is necessary to protect transiting vessels from
the
[[Page 76416]]
potential hazards associated with the Rocket launch. The Coast Guard
will announce via Broadcast Notice to Mariners the anticipated date and
time of the launch and will grant general permission to enter the
safety zone during those times in which the launch does not pose a
hazard to mariners.
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 cost 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) (44 FR 11040; February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard
expects 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 DHS is unnecessary. Because the hazardous condition
is expected to last for approximately 8 hours each day, and because
general permission to enter the safety zone will be given during non-
hazardous times, the impact of this rule on commercial traffic should
be minimal. Before the effective period, we will issue maritime
advisories widely available to users of the affected portion of the
Gulf of Alaska. We believe there will be minimal economic impact on
commercial traffic.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have
considered whether this rule would have significant economic impacts 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 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, anchor, or fish in a portion of the Gulf of Alaska off
Sitkinak Island from 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. each day from December 8, 2004
until January 31, 2005 until rocket launch operations are complete.
Because the hazardous situation, during the planned rocket launch
hours, is expected to last for approximately 8 hours each day, and
because general permission to enter the safety zone will be given
during non-hazardous times, the impact of this rule on commercial and
recreational traffic should be minimal. Before the effective period, we
will issue maritime advisories widely available to users of the
affected portion of the Gulf of Alaska. We believe there will be
minimal impact to small entities.
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 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 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 economically significant and does not cause 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 would not have a substantial direct affect 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 proposed 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
[[Page 76417]]
Instruction, from further environmental documentation because it is a
safety zone.
Under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, an
``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a ``Categorical Exclusion
Determination'' are not required for this rule.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record
keeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
0
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR
part 165 as follows:
PART 165--[AMENDED]
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. From December 8, 2004 to January 31, 2005, add temporary Sec.
165.T17-009 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T17-009 Alaska Aerospace Development Corporation, Sitkinak
Island, Kodiak Island, AK: Safety Zones
(a) Description. This safety zone includes an area in the Gulf of
Alaska, west of Sitkinak Island, Alaska. Specifically, the zone
includes the waters of the Gulf of Alaska that are within the area
bounded by a line drawn from a point located at 56[deg]40.50' N,
153[deg]42.50' W, then southeast to a point located at 56[deg]34.00' N,
153[deg]29.50' W, then southwest to a point located at 56[deg]12.50' N,
154[deg]2.50' W, and then northwest to a point located at 56[deg]19.00'
N, 154[deg]16.50' W, and then northeast to the point located at
56[deg]40.50' N, 153[deg]42.50' W. All coordinates reference Datum: NAD
1983.
(b) Enforcement periods. The safety zone in this section will be
enforced from 1 p.m. 1 a.m. each day from December 8, 2004 to January
31, 2005.
(c) Regulations. (1) The Captain of the Port and the Duty Officer
at Marine Safety Office, Anchorage, Alaska can be contacted at
telephone number (907) 271-6700.
(2) The Captain of the Port may authorize and designate any Coast
Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer to act on his behalf in
enforcing the safety zone.
(3) The general regulations governing safety zones contained in ?
165.23 apply. No person or vessel may enter or remain in this safety
zone, with the exception of attending vessels, without first obtaining
permission from the Captain of the Port or his on-scene representative.
The Captain of the Port, Western Alaska, or his on-scene
representative may be contacted at the Kodiak Launch Complex via VHF
marine channel 16.
Dated: December 2, 2004.
T.D. Harrison,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Western Alaska,
Acting.
[FR Doc. 04-27822 Filed 12-20-04; 8:45 am]
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