[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 123 (Monday, June 28, 1999)]
[Unknown Section]
[Pages 34551-34553]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-16363]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD01-99-061]
RIN 2115-AA97


Safety Zone: Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Display, Thames River, 
Groton, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for the 
Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Display to be held on the Thames River, 
Groton, CT, on July 10, 1999. This action is needed to protect persons, 
facilities, vessels and others in the maritime community from the 
safety hazards associated with this fireworks display. Entry into this 
safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

DATES: This regulation is effective on July 10, 1999, from 8:55 p.m. 
until 10:10

[[Page 34552]]

p.m. In case of inclement weather, July 11, 1999 is the scheduled rain 
date for this event.

ADDRESSES: Documents relating to this temporary final rule are 
available for inspection and copying at U.S. Coast Guard Group Long 
Island Sound, 120 Woodward Avenue, New Haven, CT 06512. Normal office 
hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except holidays. Comments may also be faxed to this address. The fax 
number is (203) 468-4445.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Commander T.J. Walker, Chief of Port Operations, Captain of 
the Port, Long Island Sound at (203) 468-4444.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, good cause exists for not publishing a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and for making this rule effective 
in less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. The sponsor of 
the event did not provide the Coast Guard with the final details for 
the event in sufficient time to publish a NPRM or a final rule 30 days 
in advance. The delay encountered if normal rulemaking procedures were 
followed would effectively cancel the event. Cancellation of this event 
is contrary to the public interest since the fireworks display is for 
the benefit of the public.

Background and Purpose

    The Thames River Fireworks Committee, of Groton, CT, is sponsoring 
a 30 minute fireworks display in the Thames River, Groton, CT. The 
fireworks display will occur on July 10, 1999, from 9:25 p.m. until 
9:55 p.m. The safety zone covers all waters of the Thames River within 
a 1200 foot radius of the fireworks launching barges which will be 
located off Groton, CT, in approximate positions; barge one, 41 deg.-
21'01.5''N, 072 deg.-05'25''W, barge two, 41 deg.-20'58''N, 072 deg.-
05'23''W and barge three, 41 deg.-20'53.5''N, 072 deg.-05'21''W (NAD 
1983). This zone is required to protect the maritime community from the 
safety dangers associated with this fireworks display. Entry into or 
movement within this zone will be prohibited unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port or his on-scene representative.

Regulatory 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 been exempted from review 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. This safety zone involves only a 
portion of the Thames River and entry into this zone will be restricted 
for 75 minutes on July 10, 1999. Although this regulation prevents 
traffic from transiting this section of Thames River, the effect of 
this regulation will not be significant for several reasons: the 
duration of the event is limited; the event is at a late hour; all 
vessel traffic may safely pass around this safety zone; and extensive, 
advance maritime advisories will be made.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard considered whether this proposal would have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small 
entities'' include independently owned and operated small businesses 
that are not dominant in their field and (2) governmental jurisdictions 
with populations of less than 50,000.
    For the reasons discussed under the Regulatory Evaluation above, 
the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this rule will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under subsection 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory 
Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104-121], the Coast Guard 
wants to assist small entities in understanding this final rule so that 
they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the 
rulemaking. If your small business or organization would be affected by 
this final rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or 
options for compliance, please call LCDR T.J. Walker, telephone (203) 
468-4444.
    The Ombudsman of Regulatory Enforcement for Small Business and 
Agriculture, and 10 Regional Fairness Boards, were established to 
receive comments from small businesses about enforcement by Federal 
agencies. The Ombudsman will annually evaluate such enforcement and 
rate each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on enforcement by the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-
734-3247).

Collection of Information

    This rule contains no collection of information requirements under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this action in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and has 
determined that these regulations do not raise sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Unfunded Mandates

    Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this rule will result in an annual 
expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in aggregate of 
$100 million (adjusted annually for inflation). If so, the Act requires 
that a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives be considered, and 
that from those alternatives, the least costly, most cost-effective, or 
least burdensome alternative that achieves the objective of the rule be 
selected. No state, local, or tribal government entities will be 
effected by this rule, so this rule will not result in annual or 
aggregate costs of $100 million or more. Therefore, the Coast Guard is 
exempt from any further regulatory requirements under the Unfunded 
Mandates Act.

Environment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
regulation and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of 
Commandant Instruction, M 16475.C, this rule is categorically excluded 
from further environmental documentation. A written Categorical 
Exclusion Determination is available in the docket for inspection or 
copying where indicated under Addresses.

Other Executive Orders on the Regulatory Process

    In addition to the statutes and Executive Orders already addressed 
in this preamble, the Coast Guard considered the following executive 
orders in developing this final rule and reached the following 
conclusions:
    E.O. 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with 
Constitutionally Protected Property Rights. This final rule will not 
effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking of

[[Page 34553]]

private property or otherwise have taking implications under this 
Order.
    E.O. 12875, Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership. This final 
rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of this 
Order to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
    E.O. 13405, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks 
and Safety Risks. This final rule is not an economically significant 
rule and does not concern an environmental risk to safety 
disproportionately affecting children.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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

Regulation

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 
CFR part 165 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. Section 165.100 is also 
issued under authority of Sec. 311, Pub.L. 105-383.

    2. Add temporary Sec. 165.T01-CGD1-061 to read as follows:


Sec. 165.T01-CGD1-061;  Mashantucket Peqout Fireworks Display, Thames 
River, Groton, CT.

    (a) Location. The safety zone includes all waters of Thames River 
within a 1200 foot radius of the launch site located on the Thames 
River, Groton, CT. in approximate position 41 deg.-21'01.5''N, 
072 deg.-05'25''W, 41 deg.-20'58''N, 072 deg.-05'23''W and 41 deg.-
20'53.5''N, 072 deg.-05'21''W (NAD 1983).
    (b) Effective date. This section is effective on July 10, 1999 from 
8:55 p.m. until 10:10 p.m. In case of inclement weather, July 11, 1999, 
is the scheduled rain date for this event.
    (c)(1) Regulations. The general regulations covering safety zones 
contained in section 165.23 of this part apply.
    (2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on scene patrol 
personnel. U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, 
warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a 
U.S. Coast Guard Vessel via siren, radio, flashing light, or other 
means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed.
P.K. Mitchell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.
[FR Doc. 99-16363 Filed 6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M