[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 7, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40994-40996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-20019]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 165

[CGD13-96-015]
RIN 2115-AA97


Safety Zone Regulation; Seafair's U.S. Navy Blue Angels Air Show, 
Elliott Bay, Seattle, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is adopting a temporary safety zone regulation 
for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Air Show sponsored by Seafair 
Incorporated on 8, 9, 10, and 11 August, 1996, over Elliott Bay, 
Seattle, Washington. The Captain of the Port Puget Sound, Seattle, 
Washington, is taking this action to safeguard watercraft and their 
occupants from the safety hazards associated with high performance 
aircraft conducting difficult maneuvers at low altitudes. The safety 
zone will encompass the area of Elliott Bay over which the air show 
will take place. Entry into this safety zone will be prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port.

EFFECTIVE DATES: This regulation becomes effective on the following 
dates and times: commencing August 8, 1996, at 1 p.m. (PDT) and 
terminating August 8, 1996, at 4 p.m. (PDT); commencing August 9, 1996, 
at 2 p.m. (PDT) and terminating August 9, 1996, at 4 p.m. (PDT); 
commencing August 10, 1996, at 2 p.m. (PDT) and terminating August 10, 
1996, at 4 p.m. (PDT); and commencing August 11, 1996, at 2 p.m. (PDT) 
and terminating August 11, 1996, at 4 p.m. (PDT). The Captain of the 
Port may

[[Page 40995]]

sooner terminate this safety zone each day if it becomes unnecessary.

ADDRESSES: Documents referred to in this preamble are available for 
inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Puget 
Sound, 1519 Alaskan Way South, Building One, Seattle, WA 98134. Normal 
office hours are between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG A. Baribeau, c/o Captain of the Port Puget Sound, 1519 Alaskan Way 
South, Seattle, Washington 98134, (206) 217-6232.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, a notice of proposed rulemaking was not 
published for this regulation. However, good cause exists for not 
following normal rulemaking procedures. Publishing a NPRM would be 
contrary to the public interest since immediate action is necessary to 
ensure the safety of vessels and spectators operating in the area of 
the Air Show. Due to the complex planning and coordination involved, 
the sponsor of the event, Seafair Incorporated, was unable to provide 
the Coast Guard with the final details for the show until 60 days prior 
to the event. Therefore, sufficient time was not available to publish a 
proposed rule in advance of the event. Following normal rulemaking 
procedures in this case would be impracticable.

Background and Purpose

    The Coast Guard is adopting a temporary safety zone regulation for 
the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Air Show sponsored by Seafair, Incorporated. 
The safety zone encompasses all waters of Puget Sound bounded by a line 
beginning at position latitude 47 deg. 37.48.0' N, longitude 122 deg. 
25.11.4' W; thence to latitude 47 deg. 37.21.7' N, longitude 122 deg. 
25.31.6' W; thence to latitude 47 deg. 36.05.8' N, longitude 122 deg. 
21.55.1' W' thence to latitude 47 deg. 36/47.9' N, longitude 122 deg. 
21.22.8'W; and thence returning to the point of origin (NAD 83). The 
zone is needed to protect watercraft and their occupants from safety 
hazards associated with high performance aircraft conducting complex 
maneuvers at high speeds and low altitudes. Many onlookers may attempt 
to view the air show at close range, thereby increasing their exposure 
to these hazards. Entry into the safety zone will be prohibited during 
the air show and practice sessions. This safety zone will be enforced 
by representatives of the Captain of the Port Puget Sound, Seattle, 
Washington. The Captain of the Port may be assisted by other federal 
agencies.

Regulator Evaluation

    This temporary final rule is not a significant regulatory action 
under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an 
assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of 
that order. It has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget 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).
    The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposal to be 
so minimal that a full regulatory evaluation under paragraph 10e of the 
regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. The regulated 
area established by the proposed regulation would encompass 
approximately 4.75 square miles in Elliott Bay from Magnolia Bluff 
across the Bay to the Coleman Dock on the Seattle waterfront. Entry 
into the regulated area would be restricted for less than four hours 
during each of the four days during the performances. Maritime commerce 
can plan the transits of the area around the scheduled event.

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this action in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has 
been determined that the proposed rulemaking does not have sufficient 
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601) et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal will have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. For the 
reasons set forth above the impacts of this proposal are expected to be 
minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this proposal 
will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
proposed regulation and concluded that, under paragraph 2.B.2 of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B (as revised by 59 FR 38654; July 29, 
1994), this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. Appropriate environmental analysis of the U.S. Navy Blue 
Angels Air Show sponsored by Seafair Incorporated will be in 
conjunction with the marine event permitting process. Any environmental 
documentation required under the National Environmental Policy Act will 
be completed prior to the issuance of a marine event permit for this 
event.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

Regulation

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
Part 165 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:

PART 165--[AMENDED]

    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, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

    2. A new Section 165.T-3009 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 165.T1-3009  Safety Zone: Elliott Bay, Seattle, Washington.

    (a) Regulated Area. The following area is a safety zone: All waters 
of Elliott Bay, Seattle, Washington bounded by a line beginning at 
position latitude 47 deg.37.48.0'N, longitude 122 deg.25.11.4'W; thence 
to latitude 47 deg.37.21.7'N, longitude 122 deg.25.31.6'W; thence to 
latitude 47 deg.36.05.8'N, longitude 122 deg.21.55.1'W; thence to 
latitude 47 deg.36.47.9'N, longitude 122 deg.21.22.8'W; thence 
returning to the point of origin.
    (NAD 83) (b) 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 Puget Sound, 
to act on his behalf. The following officers have or will be designated 
by the Captain of the Port: The Commissioned, warrant, and petty 
officers assigned to Coast Guard Station Seattle, USCGC CUTTYHUNK, and 
USCGC POINT RICHMOND.
    (c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec. 165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited, unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated 
representatives.
    (d) Effective Dates. This regulation is effective on the following 
dates and times: commencing August 8, 1996, at 1 p.m. (PDT) and 
terminating August 8, 1996, at 4 p.m. (PDT); commencing August 9, 1996, 
at 2 p.m. (PDT) and

[[Page 40996]]

terminating August 9, 1996, at 4 p.m. (PDT); commencing August 10, 
1996, at 2 p.m. (PDT) and terminating August 10, 1996 at 4 p.m. (PDT); 
and commencing August 11, 1996, at 2 p.m. (PDT) and terminating August 
11, 1996, at 4 p.m. (PDT). The Captain of the Port may sooner terminate 
this safety zone each day if it becomes necessary.

    Dated: July 3, 1996.
Myles S. Boothe,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Puget Sound.
[FR Doc. 96-20019 Filed 8-6-96; 8:45 am]
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