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13 February 2007


[Federal Register: February 12, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 28)]

[Proposed Rules]               

[Page 6512-6515]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr12fe07-25]                         



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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY



Coast Guard



33 CFR Part 165



[CGD05-06-112]

RIN 1625-AA87



 

Security Zone; Severn River and College Creek, Annapolis, MD



AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.



ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.



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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent security 

zone on certain waters of the Severn River and College Creek in 

Maryland. This action is necessary in order to ensure the security of 

high-ranking public officials and safeguard the public at large against 

terrorist acts or incidents during the U.S. Naval Academy graduation 

ceremony, held annually on the Friday before the Memorial Day holiday 

in May. This rule prohibits vessels and people from entering the 

security zone and requires vessels and persons in the security zone to 

depart the zone, unless specifically exempt under the provisions in 

this rule or granted specific permission from the Coast Guard Captain 

of the Port of Baltimore.



DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or 

before April 13, 2007.



ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander, 

Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Building 70, 

Waterways Management Division, Baltimore, Maryland 21226-1791. Coast 

Guard Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, maintains the 

public docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received from 

the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being 

available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be 

available for inspection or copying at Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, 

Waterways Management Division, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday 

through Friday, except Federal holidays.



FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Ronald Houck, at Coast Guard 

Sector Baltimore, Waterways Management Division, at telephone number 

(410) 576-2674 or (410) 576-2693.



SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:



Request for Comments



    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 

comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name 

and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD05-06-

112), indicate the specific section of this document to which each 

comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit 

all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 

8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know 

they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or 

envelope. We will consider all



[[Page 6513]]



comments and material received during the comment period. We may change 

this proposed rule in view of them.



Public Meeting



    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 

request for a meeting by writing to Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, 

Waterways Management Division, at the address under ADDRESSES 

explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would 

aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by 

a later notice in the Federal Register.



Background and Purpose



    The ongoing hostilities in Afghanistan and 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. Due to increased awareness that future terrorist 

attacks are possible, the Coast Guard, as lead federal agency for 

maritime homeland security, has determined that the Captain of the Port 

Baltimore must have the means to be aware of, deter, detect, intercept, 

and respond to asymmetric threats, acts of aggression, and attacks by 

terrorists on the American homeland while still maintaining our 

freedoms and sustaining the flow of commerce. This security zone is 

part of a comprehensive port security regime designed to safeguard 

human life, vessels, and waterfront facilities against sabotage or 

terrorist attacks.

    In this particular rulemaking, to address the aforementioned 

security concerns during the highly-publicized public event, and to 

take steps to prevent the catastrophic impact that a terrorist attack 

against high-ranking public officials and the public at large during 

the annual U.S. Naval Academy graduation ceremony would have on the 

public interest, the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland proposes 

to establish a security zone upon all waters of the Severn River, from 

shoreline to shoreline, bounded by a line drawn from Horseshoe Point, 

at 38[deg]59'47.6'' N, 076[deg]29'33.2'' W; eastward across the Severn 

River to a point located at 39[deg]00'01.5'' N, 076[deg]29'08.5'' W; 

and a line drawn from Biemans Point, at 38[deg]59'14.4'' N, 

076[deg]28'30.1'' W; westward across the Severn River to a point 

38[deg]59'03.5'' N, 076[deg]28'50.0'' W; located on the Naval Academy 

waterfront. This security zone includes the waters of College Creek 

eastward of the King George Street Bridge. This security zone would 

help the Coast Guard to prevent vessels or persons from engaging in 

terrorist actions against a large number of participants during the 

event. Due to these heightened security concerns, and the catastrophic 

impact a terrorist attack on the U.S. Naval Academy during its annual 

graduation ceremony would have on the large number of participants, and 

the surrounding area and communities, a security zone is prudent for 

this type of event.



Discussion of Proposed Rule



    Each spring, on the Friday before the Memorial Day holiday in May, 

the U.S. Naval Academy conducts an outdoor graduation ceremony. The 

commencement takes place at 10 a.m. local time and is attended by high-

ranking officials of the United States and over 30,000 participants and 

guests on the Naval Academy grounds, in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, 

Maryland. The event is held indoors in the event of inclement weather.

    This security zone is necessary to prevent vessels or persons on 

designated waters of the Severn River, between Horseshoe Point and 

Biemans Point, and all waters of College Creek eastward of the King 

George Street Bridge, from approaching the Naval Academy and thereby 

bypassing the security measures for the event established by the United 

States Secret Service and Naval Support Activity Annapolis. Marine 

vessel travel in the area of the Naval Academy Bridge in the Severn 

River and College Creek would be restricted. The area affected covers 

nearly 2000 yards of the Severn River's length.

    Except for Public vessels and vessels at berth, mooring or at 

anchor, this rule would require all vessels in the designated security 

zone, as defined by this rule, underway at the time this security zone 

is implemented to immediately proceed out of the security zone. We 

would issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners to further publicize the 

security zone and any revisions to the zone. Entry into or remaining in 

this zone would be prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard 

Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland.



Regulatory Evaluation



    This proposed 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).

    We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so 

minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies 

and procedures of DHS is unnecessary.

    The operational restrictions of the security zone are tailored to 

provide the minimal disruption of vessel operations necessary to 

provide immediate, improved security for persons, vessels, and 

designated waters of the Severn River, between Horseshoe Point and 

Biemans Point, and all waters of College Creek eastward of the King 

George Street Bridge, located in Annapolis, Maryland. Additionally, 

this security zone is temporary in nature any hardships experienced by 

persons or vessels are outweighed by the national interest in 

protecting high-ranking officials of the United States and the public 

at large from the devastating consequences of acts of terrorism, and 

from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other causes of a 

similar nature.



Small Entities



    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 

considered whether this proposed 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 proposed 

rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 

number of small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending 

to operate, remain or anchor on the Severn River, between Horseshoe 

Point and Biemans Point, and on College Creek, eastward of the King 

George Street Bridge, from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. annually on the Friday 

before the Memorial Day holiday in May. This security zone would not 

have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 

entities due to the limited duration of the enforcement of this 

regulation and during these limited enforcement periods vessels may 

seek permission of the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, to enter and 

transit the zone. Before the effective period, we would issue maritime 

advisories widely available to users of the Severn River and College 

Creek.



[[Page 6514]]



    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 

jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 

a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 

ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 

degree this rule would economically affect it.



Assistance for Small Entities



    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 proposed 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. 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.



Collection of Information



    This proposed rule would call 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 proposed 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 proposed rule would not result in such an 

expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this 

preamble.



Taking of Private Property



    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 

Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 

Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 

create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 

disproportionately affect children.



Indian Tribal Governments



    This proposed 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 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 

5100.1, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 

Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 

have made a preliminary determination 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, we believe that this rule should 

be categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the 

Instruction, from further environmental documentation because this 

rulemaking is a security zone less than one week in duration. A draft 

``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a draft ``Categorical 

Exclusion Determination'' (CED) are available in the docket where 

indicated under ADDRESSES. Comments on this section will be considered 

before we make the final decision on whether the rule should be 

categorically excluded from further environmental review.



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 proposes 

to amend 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. 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.



    2. Add Sec.  165.509 to read as follows:





Sec.  165.509  Security Zone; Severn River and College Creek, 

Annapolis, MD.



    (a) Definitions. For purposes of this section, the Captain of the 

Port, Baltimore, Maryland means the Commander, Coast Guard Sector 

Baltimore, Maryland or any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty 

officer



[[Page 6515]]



who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland 

to act on his or her behalf.

    (b) Location. The following area is a security zone: All waters of 

the Severn River, from shoreline to shoreline, bounded by a line drawn 

from Horseshoe Point, at 38[deg]59'47.6'' N, 076[deg]29'33.2'' W; 

eastward across the Severn river to a point located at 39[deg]00'01.5'' 

N; 076[deg]29'08.5'' W; and a line drawn from Biemans Point, at 

38[deg]59'14.4'' N, 076[deg]28'30.1'' W; westward across the Severn 

River to a point 38[deg]59'03.5'' N, 076[deg]28'50.0'' W; located on 

the Naval Academy waterfront. This security zone includes the waters of 

College Creek eastward of the King George Street Bridge (NAD 1983).

    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations governing security 

zones found in Sec.  165.33 apply to the security zone described in 

paragraph (b) of this section.

    (2) Entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless 

authorized by the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland.

    (3) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the 

security zone must first request authorization from the Captain of the 

Port, Baltimore to seek permission to transit the area. The Captain of 

the Port, Baltimore, Maryland can be contacted at telephone number 

(410) 576-2693. The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can be 

contacted on VHF Marine Band Radio, VHF channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Upon 

being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing 

light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as 

directed. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply 

with the instructions of the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland 

and proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course 

while within the zone.

    (d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 

and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.

    (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced annually on 

the Friday before the Memorial Day holiday in May from 7:30 a.m. to 2 

p.m. local time.



    Dated: January 29, 2007.

Brian D. Kelley,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland.

[FR Doc. E7-2334 Filed 2-9-07; 8:45 am]



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