9110-04-P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket Number USCG-2024-0552] RIN 1625-AA00 Safety Zone; M/V DALI, Transit from the Maryland/Virginia Line, Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoal Channel, Norfolk Harbor, and Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. ACTION: Temporary final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoal Channel, a portion of Norfolk Harbor, and a portion of the Elizabeth River. This action is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the M/V Dali as it is transiting from the Port of Baltimore to Norfolk, Va. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia. DATES: This rule is effective from June 22, 2024, through June 28, 2024, during such times as the M/V Dali is in transit to facilities in the Port of Virginia. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice will be used from June 22, 2024, until [INSERT DATE OF PUBLICATION IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER]. ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2024-0552 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 about this rule, call or email CDR Patrick Grizzle, Sector Virginia, Prevention Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Telephone: 757-668-5580, email: VirginiaWaterways@uscg.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Table of Abbreviations CFR DHS FR NPRM § U.S.C. Code of Federal Regulations Department of Homeland Security Federal Register Notice of proposed rulemaking Section United States Code II. Background Information and Regulatory History On March 26, 2024, the M/V Dali lost propulsion and allided with the Francis Scott Key Bridge in the Chesapeake Bay, near the Port of Baltimore, causing the bridge to collapse upon it. See 89 FR 24385 (April 8, 2024) for additional details about the allision. More recently, the Maryland Pilots Association, LLC has notified the Coast Guard that the M/V Dali will be transiting from the Port of Baltimore to Norfolk, Va. for repairs. The vessel transit is taking place with the assistance of multiple tugboats and will be subject to a safety zone issued by the Captain of the Port (COTP), Sector Maryland-National Capital Region. It is anticipated that the vessel will arrive in Virginia waters on June 22, 2024 and that it will reach Norfolk on June 22, 2024, but these dates are subject to change. Given both the damage to the vessel from the allision, and the vessel's mechanical history, including the loss of propulsion which led to the allision, a 500-yard safety zone will abut the safety zone in Maryland waters to be enforced during the transit within Virginia waters. The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule under authority in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This statutory 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.†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 public interest. There is insufficient time to provide notice of a proposed rule, take and consider comments, and publish a final rule before June 22, when the rule must be in effect to provide for safety in the navigable waters around the M/V Dali as it arrives in waters subject to this safety zone in transit to Norfolk, Virginia. Also, 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 because prompt action is needed to respond to the dangers associated with the transit of the M/V DALI. III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034. The COTP, Sector Virginia has determined that potential hazards associated with the transit of the M/V DALI will be a safety concern for anyone within a 500-yard radius of the vessel due to its limited ability to maneuver. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone while the M/V DALI transits through the waters of the COTP Zone, Sector Virginia enroute from the Port of Baltimore to the Port of Norfolk. IV. Discussion of the Rule This rule establishes a safety zone from June 22, 2024, to June 28, 2024. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within 500 yards of the M/V DALI while in transit within waters of the COTP Zone, Sector Virginia, from Baltimore to Norfolk. The dates of the safety zone were chosen to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters of the Sector Virginia, COTP Zone before, during, and after the scheduled transit. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. 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 section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). This regulatory action determination is based on the size, location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit around this safety zone while the vessel transits from Baltimore to Norfolk. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule would allow vessels to seek permission to enter the zone. B. Impact on Small Entities Because the Coast Guard has determined that this final rule is exempt from notice and comment rulemaking requirements, the provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) do not apply to this action. 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 500-yard moving safety zone around a vessel. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(c) 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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3. 2. Add § 165.T05-0552 to read as follows: § 165.T05-0552 Safety Zone; M/V DALI, Transit from the Maryland/Virginia Line, Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoal Channel, Norfolk Harbor, and Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Thimble Shoal Channel, Norfolk Harbor, and Elizabeth River within 500 yards of the M/V Dali while it is transiting within Virginia waters. (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Virginia (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone. (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP’s representative by VHF-FM Channel 16. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP’s designated representative. (d) Enforcement officials. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local agencies. (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from June 22, 2024 through June 28, 2024, during inbound transit of the M/V Dali to the Port of Norfolk. Dated: June 20, 2024. J. A. Stockwell Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Virginia [FR Doc. 2024-13907 Filed: 6/21/2024 8:45 am; Publication Date: 6/24/2024]