[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 114 (Thursday, June 13, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27531-27533]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-12508]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2019-0221]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone for Fireworks Display; Upper Potomac River, 
Washington, DC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain waters of the Upper Potomac River. This action is necessary to 
provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters of the Upper 
Potomac River at Washington, DC, during a fireworks display on July 4, 
2019 (with alternate date of July 5, 2019). This regulation prohibits 
persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 p.m. on July 4, 2019, through 
10:30 p.m. on July 5, 2019.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2019-0221 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 Mr. Ron Houck, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 410-576-
2674, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 27532]]

I. Table of Abbreviations

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

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    The National Park Service will be conducting a fireworks display, 
launched from the West Potomac Park, adjacent to the Upper Potomac 
River in Washington, DC, between 9:07 p.m. and 9:27 p.m. on July 4, 
2019. In the event of inclement weather on July 4th, the fireworks 
display will be launched from the same location, during those same 
times, on July 5, 2019. The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region has 
determined that the display poses a safety concern for anyone within 
1,000 feet of the fireworks discharge site--the potential exists for 
accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling 
hot embers or other debris. Due to these safety concerns, on April 29, 
2019, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), 
``Safety Zone for Fireworks Display; Upper Potomac River, Washington, 
DC'' (84 FR 17984). There we stated why we issued the NPRM, and invited 
comments on our proposal to create a safety zone in association with 
this fireworks display. During the comment period that ended May 29, 
2019, we received one comment.
    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 needed 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 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Maryland-
National Capital Region (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the fireworks to be used in this July 4, 2019, display 
will be a safety concern for anyone within 1,000 feet of the fireworks 
discharge site. The purpose of this rule is to ensure safety of vessels 
and the navigable waters in the safety zone before, during, and after 
the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received one comment on our NPRM published April 
29, 2019. The comment was in support of the Coast Guard's rulemaking. 
There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from the 
proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone that the Coast Guard will 
enforce from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 4, 2019 (or, alternatively, 
during those same hours on July 5th). The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters of the Upper Potomac River, including the Tidal Basin, 
within 1,000 feet of the fireworks discharge site at West Potomac Park 
in approximate position latitude 38[deg]53'07.1'' N, longitude 
077[deg]02'49.5'' W, located at Washington, DC. The duration of the 
zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable 
waters before, during, and after the scheduled fireworks display. No 
vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative.

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, 
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 the Upper Potomac River for less than 3 hours 
during the evening when vessel traffic is normally low. Moreover, the 
Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine 
channel 16 about 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 received no comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. 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 
safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section 
V.A above, this rule will 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

[[Page 27533]]

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.

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 Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), 
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 2.5 hours that 
will prohibit entry within a portion of the Upper Potomac River, 
including the Tidal Basin, in Washington, DC. It is categorically 
excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) in Table 3-1 of 
U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1. 
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.

    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

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

    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 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.T05-0221 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0221   Safety Zone for Fireworks Display; Upper Potomac 
River, Washington, DC.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Upper Potomac River, including the Tidal Basin, within 
1,000 feet of the fireworks discharge site at West Potomac Park in 
approximate position latitude 38[deg]53'07.1'' N, longitude 
077[deg]02'49.5'' W, located at Washington, DC. All coordinates refer 
to datum NAD 1983.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section:
    (1) Captain of the Port (COTP) means the Commander, U.S. Coast 
Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region.
    (2) Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Maryland-National Capital Region to assist in enforcing the safety 
zone described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in 
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the 
COTP's designated representative. All vessels underway within this 
safety zone at the time it is activated are to depart the zone.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
designated representative by telephone at 410-576-2693 or on Marine 
Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels 
enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM 
channel 16 (156.8 MHz).
    (3) Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or 
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated 
representative.
    (d) Enforcement officials. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in 
the patrol and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and 
local agencies.
    (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 p.m. 
to 10:30 p.m. on July 4, 2019, or if necessary due to inclement 
weather, from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 5, 2019.

    Dated: June 10, 2019.
Joseph B. Loring,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2019-12508 Filed 6-12-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P