[Federal Register: February 28, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 40)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 9203-9205] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr28fe02-12] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [CGD05-01-071] RIN 2115-AA97 Security Zone; Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Chesapeake Bay, Calvert County, MD AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Temporary final rule; request for comments. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Calvert County, Maryland. This zone is necessary to provide for the security of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in response to potential terrorist acts. The security zone will prohibit vessels from entering a well-defined area around Calvert Cliffs nuclear power plant. DATES: This rule is effective from 5 p.m. on January 9, 2002, to 5 p.m. on June 15, 2002. Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before April 29, 2002. 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 CGD05-01-071 and are available for inspection or copying at Commander, Coast Guard Activities Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Baltimore, Maryland 21226-1791, between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT Charles A. Roskam II, Port Safety and Security, Activities Baltimore, 2401 Hawkins Point Road, Building 70, Baltimore, Maryland, 21226-1791, telephone number (410) 576-2676. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulatory Information We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a NPRM. Publishing an NPRM, which would incorporate a comment period before a final rule was issued, would be contrary to the public interest since immediate action is needed to protect the public, ports and waterways of the United States. For the same reasons, 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. Request for Comments Although the Coast Guard has good cause to implement this regulation without engaging in the notice of proposed rulemaking process, we want to afford the maritime community the opportunity to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related material regarding the size, scope and duration of the Regulated Navigation Areas, safety zones and security zones in order to minimize unnecessary burdens on waterway users. If you do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking [CGD05-01-071], 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 comments and material received during the comment period. We may change this temporary final rule in view of them. Background and Purpose Based on the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center buildings in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia, there is an increased risk that subversive activity could be launched by vessels or persons in close proximity to Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant. On October 3, 2001, Constellation Nuclear--Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant requested this rule to reduce the potential threat that may be posed by vessels that approach the power plant. Entry into the security zone is prohibited, unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Baltimore, MD. Federal, state, and local agencies may assist the Coast Guard in the enforcement of this rule. [[Page 9204]] 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 Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. This regulation is of limited duration to handle the emergency situation and vessels may transit around the zone. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), the Coast Guard considered whether this rule would have a significant economic effect upon a substantial number of small entities. ``Small entities'' include 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. Because of a good cause exception, this rule was not preceded by a general notice of proposed rulemaking and, therefore, is exempt from the requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. (5 U.S.C. 603). Although this rule is exempt, we have reviewed it for potential economic impact on small entities and 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. Most charter fishing activity on the Chesapeake Bay takes place outside of the affected area. Approximately 15 charter-fishing vessels per day operate within the area encompassed by the security zone. These charter-fishing vessels will be excluded from further fishing within this zone, and will be forced to seek fishing opportunities in other areas. The added time and expense necessary to seek out, and travel to other fishing areas will result in a loss of revenue to the charter fishing vessel operators. Localized impact notwithstanding, the overall impact of this regulation on the Chesapeake Bay charter fishing fleet is expected to be minor. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule will have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment to the office listed under ADDRESSES. In your comment, explain why you think it qualified 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 (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 the address listed under ADDRESSES. 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 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 expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble. Taking of Private Property This rule will not affect 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 Security Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to security 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. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211. Environment We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. This regulation establishes a security zone. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection [[Page 9205]] or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES. 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: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191, 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46. 2. Add Sec. 165.T05-071 to read as follows: Sec. 165.T05-071 Security Zone; Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant, Chesapeake Bay, Calvert County, MD. (a) Location. The following area is a security zone: the waters of the Chesapeake Bay in the vicinity of the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant bounded by a line drawn from a point located at 38 deg.26'06" N, 076 deg.26'18" W to 38 deg.26'10" N, 076 deg.26'12" W, thence to 38 deg.26'21" N, 076 deg.26'28" W, thence back to shore at 38 deg.26'14" N, 076 deg.26'33" W. All coordinates reference Datum: NAD 1983. (b) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in Sec. 165.33, entry into the security zone described in Sec. 165.T05-071 is prohibited except as authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage within the zone must request authorization from the Captain of the Port or his designated representative by telephone at (410) 576-2693 or by radio on VHF-FM channel 16. (3) The operator of any vessel within the security zone shall: (i) Stop the vessel immediately upon being directed to do so by the Coast Guard Captain of the port or his designated representative; and (ii) Proceed as directed by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or his designated representative. (c) Definitions. The designated representative of the Captain of the Port is any Coast Guard Commissioned, Warrant, or Petty Officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port, Baltimore to act on his behalf. (d) Effective period. This section is effective from 5 p.m. on January 9, 2002 to 5 p.m. on June 15, 2002. (e) Enforcement. The COTP may enlist the cooperation of Federal, state, county, municipal, and private agencies to assist in the enforcement of these regulations. (f) Authority. This section is promulgated under 33 U.S.C. 1226. Dated: January 9, 2002. R.B. Peoples, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Baltimore, Maryland. [FR Doc. 02-4710 Filed 2-27-02; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-P