[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 121 (Friday, June 22, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29003-29005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13428]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0123]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Lavaca Bay, Point Comfort, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain navigable waters of Lavaca Bay, Point Comfort, TX. This action 
is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable 
waters near Point Comfort Bayfront Park during a fireworks display. 
Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:30 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on June 
30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0123 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Petty Officer Kevin Kyles, Waterways Management Division, 
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-939-5125, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule without prior notice 
and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of 
the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This 
provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and 
opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), the Coast Guard finds that 
good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) with respect to this rule because it would be impracticable. 
This safety zone must be established by June 30, 2018 and we lack 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing this rule. The NPRM process 
would delay the establishment of the safety zone until after the 
scheduled date of the fireworks and compromise public safety.
    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. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest 
because immediate action is necessary to respond to the potential 
safety hazards associated with the fireworks display.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks display 
occurring on June 30, 2018 will be a safety concern for anyone within a 
500-foot radius of the fireworks display. This rule is necessary to 
ensure the safety of life before, during, and after the scheduled 
firework displays.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 7:30 p.m. 
through 9:30 p.m. on June 30, 2018. The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters within 500 feet of the fireworks launch location at 
Point Comfort Bayfront Park in the approximate position 
28[deg]40'52.93'' N, 096[deg]33'47.723'' W, Point Comfort, TX. The 
duration of the zone is intended to protect the public from the 
fireworks display before, during, and after the scheduled fireworks 
display. The duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment before, during, and after the 
scheduled firework displays.
    Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the COTP or a designated representative. A designated 
representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. 
Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control of USCG 
Sector Corpus Christi. Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety 
zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative on VHF-FM

[[Page 29004]]

channel 16 or by telephone at 361-939-0450. All persons and vessels 
permitted to enter this safety zone must transit at the slowest safe 
speed and comply with all lawful directions issued by the COTP or the 
designated representative. The COTP or a designated representative will 
inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this safety 
zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices to 
Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as 
appropriate.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic 
will be able to safely transit around this safety zone, which will 
impact a small designated area of Lavaca Bay for about two hours on one 
evening when vessel traffic is normally low. Moreover, the Coast Guard 
will issue BNMs (via VHF-FM marine channel 16), Local Notices to 
Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), 
about the zone. In addition, the rule allows vessels to seek permission 
to enter the zone.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
temporary safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in 
section IV.A above, this rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on any vessel owner or operator.
    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 rule. 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 person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    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 this rule or any policy or 
action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This rule will not call for a new collection of information under 
the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, 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. If 
you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, 
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section above.

E. 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 (adjusted for 
inflation) 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.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which guide the 
Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined that this action is 
one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively 
have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule involves 
a safety zone lasting two hours that would prohibit entry within 500 
feet of the fireworks launch location. It is categorically excluded 
from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of 
DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of 
Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available 
in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that 
your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or 
security of people, places or vessels.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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


[[Page 29005]]


    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. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0123 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0123  Safety Zone; Lavaca Bay, Point Comfort, TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of Lavaca Bay encompassing a 500 feet of the fireworks launch 
location at Point Comfort Bayfront Park in the approximate position 
28[deg]40'52.93'' N, 096[deg]33'47.723'' W, Point Comfort, TX.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 7:30 p.m. 
through 9:30 p.m. on June 30, 2018.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7:30 
p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on June 30, 2018.
    (d) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated 
representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, 
or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the 
operational control of USCG Sector Corpus Christi.
    (2) Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone must 
request permission from the COTP or a designated representative on VHF-
FM channel 16 or by telephone at 361-939-0450.
    (3) All persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone 
must transit at the slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (e) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this 
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), Local Notices 
to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), 
as appropriate.

    Dated: June 15, 2018.
E.J. Gaynor,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2018-13428 Filed 6-21-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P