[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 124 (Thursday, June 28, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35350-35352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-12458]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[CGD01-07-082]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone: Westport PAL Fireworks, Westport, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
the Westport PAL Fireworks in Westport, CT. The safety zone is 
necessary to protect the life and property of the maritime community 
from the hazards posed by the fireworks display. Entry into or movement 
within this safety zone during the enforcement period is prohibited 
without approval of the Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:15 p.m. on July 3, 2007 until 
11:15 p.m. on July 5, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket, are part of docket CGD01-07-082 and will be available for 
inspection or copying at Sector Long Island Sound, New Haven, CT, 
between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant D. Miller, Chief, Waterways 
Management Division, Coast Guard Sector Long Island Sound at (203) 468-
4596.

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 an NPRM. The Coast Guard did not 
receive an Application for Approval of Marine Event for this event with 
sufficient time to implement a NPRM, thereby making an NPRM 
impracticable. A delay or cancellation of the fireworks in order to 
accommodate a full notice and comment period would be contrary to 
public interest.
    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. Any delay encountered in this 
regulation's effective date would be impracticable and contrary to 
public interest since immediate action is

[[Page 35351]]

needed to prevent traffic from transiting a portion of Long Island 
Sound off Westport, CT and to protect the maritime public from the 
hazards associated with this fireworks event.
    The temporary zone should have minimal negative impact on the 
public and navigation because it will be enforced for only a three hour 
period on only one day. In addition, the area closed by the safety zone 
is minimal, allowing vessels to transit around the safety zone in Long 
Island Sound off Westport, CT.

Background and Purpose

    The Westport PAL Fireworks display will be taking place in Long 
Island Sound off Westport, CT from 8:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. on July 3, 
2007. If the fireworks display is cancelled due to inclement weather on 
July 3, 2007, it will take place during the same hours on July 5, 2007. 
This safety zone is necessary to protect the life and property of the 
maritime public from the hazards posed by the fireworks display. It 
will protect the maritime public by prohibiting entry into or movement 
within this portion the navigable waters of Long Island Sound one hour 
prior to, during, and one hour after the stated event.

Discussion of Rule

    This regulation establishes a temporary safety zone on the 
navigable waters of Long Island Sound off Westport, CT within a 800-
foot radius of the fireworks barge located at approximate position 
41[deg]06'14.834'' N, 073[deg]20'56.52'' W. The temporary safety zone 
will be outlined by temporary marker buoys installed by the event 
organizers.
    This action is intended to prohibit vessel traffic in a portion of 
Long Island Sound off Westport, CT to provide for the protection of 
life and property of the maritime public. The safety zone will be 
enforced from 8:15 p.m. until 11:15 p.m. on July 3, 2007 and if 
necessary due to inclement weather, will be enforced from 8:15 p.m. to 
11:15 p.m. on July 5, 2007. Marine traffic may transit safely outside 
of the safety zone during the event thereby allowing navigation of the 
rest of Long Island Sound except for the portion delineated by this 
rule.
    The Captain of the Port anticipates minimal negative impact on 
vessel traffic due to this event due to the limited area and duration 
covered by this safety zone. Public notification will be made prior to 
the enforcement period via local notice to mariners and marine 
information broadcasts.

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.
    This regulation may have some impact on the public, but the 
potential impact will be minimized for the following reasons: Vessels 
will only be excluded from the area of the safety zone for 3 hours and 
vessels will be able to operate in other areas of Long Island Sound off 
Westport, CT during the enforcement period.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this rule will 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 rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This rule may affect the following entities, some of which 
may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit or anchor in those portions of Long Island Sound off Westport, 
CT covered by the safety zone. For the reasons outlined in the 
Regulatory Evaluation section above, this rule will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    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 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 rule so that they 
can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the 
rulemaking. If this rule will affect your small business, organization, 
or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its 
provisions or options for compliance, please call Lieutenant D. Miller, 
Chief, Waterways Management Division, Sector Long Island Sound, at 
(203) 468-4596.
    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). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about the rule or any policy of the 
Coast Guard.

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

Taking of Private Property

    This rule will 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 rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to

[[Page 35352]]

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 Safety Risks. This rule 
is not an economically significant rule and will not concern an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety 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 will 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. 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 rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.1D 
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 concluded 
that there are no factors in this case that would limit the use of the 
categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. 
Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, 
paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, from further environmental 
documentation. This rule falls under the provisions of paragraph 
(34)(g) because the rule establishes a safety zone.
    A final ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a final 
``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' will be available in the docket 
where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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


0
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

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226 and 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 50 
U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 
107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add temporary Sec.  165.T01-082 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T01-082  Safety Zone: Westport PAL Fireworks, Westport, CT.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of Long Island Sound off of Westport, CT within an 800-foot 
radius of the fireworks barge located in approximate position 
41[deg]06'14.834'' N, 073[deg]20'56.52'' W.
    (b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section: 
Designated on-scene patrol personnel, means any commissioned, warrant 
and petty officers of the U.S. Coast Guard operating Coast Guard 
vessels in the enforcement of this safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 
165.23 apply.
    (2) In accordance with the general regulations in Sec.  165.23 of 
this part, entry into or movement within this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Long, Island Sound or his 
designated on-scene patrol personnel.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the orders of the 
Coast Guard Captain of the Port or designated on-scene patrol 
personnel.
    (4) Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, 
flashing light or other means, the operator of the vessel shall proceed 
as directed.
    (5) Persons and vessels may request permission to enter the zone on 
VHF-16 or via phone at (203) 468-4401.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8:15 
p.m. to 11:15 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2007 and if the fireworks 
display is postponed, from 8:15 p.m. to 11:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 5, 
2007.

    Dated: June 13, 2007.
D.A. Ronan,
Captain, U. S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.
 [FR Doc. E7-12458 Filed 6-27-07; 8:45 am]
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