Safety Zone; Potomac River, Between Charles County, MD and King George County, VA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons, and the marine environment from the potential safety hazards associated with construction operations at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge, which will occur from 8 p.m. on January 15, 2022 through 8 p.m. on January 22, 2022. This rule will prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 8 p.m. on January 15, 2022 until 8 p.m. on January 22, 2022 .

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov,, type USCG-2022-0021 in the search box and click “Search.” Next, in the Document Type column, select “Supporting & Related Material.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this rule, call or email Mr. Ron Houck, Sector Maryland-NCR, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard: telephone 410-576-2674, email Ronald.L.Houck@uscg.mil .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

§ Section

TFR Temporary Final Rule

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

On January 5, 2022, Skanska-Corman-McLean, Joint Venture, notified the Coast Guard that the company will be setting structural steel sections across the federal navigation channel at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge. The bridge contractor stated the work required to set structural steel across the channel, originally scheduled to occur in November 2021, and rescheduled to December 2021, was scheduled to occur from January 3, 2022, through January 15, 2022. However, the unexpected and unprecedented impacts to the southern Maryland and northern Virginia region from the major snow storm on January 3, 2022 halted operations and caused additional delays. The work is now scheduled to occur from January 11, 2022, through January 22, 2022. The work described by the contractor requires the movement in and anchoring at multiple points of a large crane barge within the federal navigation channel. This crane can accommodate all of the steel to be hoisted and placed, which will streamline the operation by avoiding multiple reloads of steel and reducing the time in the channel by multiple days. This operation will impede vessels requiring the use of the channel. Note, the Coast Guard has previously issued other temporary safety zones at this location for placement of fender ring elements in association with construction of the new bridge (USCG-2021-0127; USCG-2021-0650; USCG-2021-0745; and USCG-2021-0906).

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 doing so would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Construction operations involving large crane heavy lifts at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge must occur within the federal navigation channel. Immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with bridge construction. Hazards from the construction operations include low-hanging or falling ropes, cables, large piles and cement cast portions, dangerous projectiles, and or other debris. We must establish this safety zone by January 15, 2022 to guard against these hazards.

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 impracticable and contrary to the public interest because immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with construction operations at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge to be conducted within the federal navigation channel.

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 COTP has determined that potential hazards associated with bridge construction starting January 15, 2022, will be a safety concern for anyone within the federal navigation channel at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge construction site. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone while the bridge is being constructed.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 8 p.m. on January 15, 2022, through 8 p.m. on January 22, 2022. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters of the Potomac River encompassed by a line connecting the following points beginning at 38°21′50.96″ N, 076°59′22.04″ W, thence south to 38°21′43.08″ N, 076°59′20.55″ W, thence west to 38°21′41.00″ N, 076°59′34.90″ W, thence north to 38°21′48.90″ N, 076°59′36.80″ W, and east back to the beginning point, located between Charles County, MD and King George County, VA.

The duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel and the marine environment in these navigable waters while structural steel is being set across the federal navigation channel at the new Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Memorial (US-301) Bridge.

Except for marine equipment and vessels operated by Skanska-Corman-McLean, Joint Venture, or its subcontractors, no vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region will notify the public that the safety zone will be enforced by all appropriate means to the affected segments of the public, as practicable, in accordance with 33 CFR 165.7(a).

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 size and duration of the safety zone. The temporary safety zone is approximately 450 yards in width and 270 yards in length. We anticipate that there will be no vessels that are unable to conduct business. Excursion vessels and commercial fishing vessels are not impacted by this rulemaking. Excursion vessels do not operate in this area, and commercial fishing vessels are not impacted because of their draft. Some towing vessels may be impacted, but bridge project personnel have been conducting outreach throughout the project in order to coordinate with those vessels. Vessel traffic not required to use the navigation channel will be able to safely transit around the safety zone. Such vessels may be able to transit to the east or the west of the federal navigation channel, as similar vertical clearance and water depth exist under the next bridge span to the east and west. This safety zone will impact a small designated area of the Potomac River for 8 days, but coincides with the non-peak season for recreational boating.

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 received no comments from the Small Business Administration on this rulemaking. 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 safety 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 call or email 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.

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, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, 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 a temporary safety zone lasting 7 total days that will prohibit entry within a portion of the Potomac River. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

G. Protest Activities

The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to call or email 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

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.

2. Add § 165.T05-0021 to read as follows: