[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30898-30900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13769]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2019-0372]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone, Fourth of July Fireworks Patriots Point, Charleston,
SC
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 the Cooper River at Patriot's Point in
Charleston, SC. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of
the general public, spectators, vessels, and the marine environment
from potential hazards during a fireworks display. This rulemaking will
prohibit persons and vessels from entering, transiting through,
anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by
the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on July 4,
2019.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2019-0372 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 Lieutenant Chad Ray, Sector Charleston Office of
Waterways Management, Coast Guard; telephone (843) 740-3184, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
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
On April 10, 2019, the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum
notified the Coast Guard that it would be conducting a fireworks
display from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4, 2019. The fireworks will be
launched from a barge along the bank of the Cooper River at Patriot's
Point in Charleston, SC. Hazards from fireworks displays include
accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling
hot embers or other debris. In response to their request, on June 4,
2019, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
titled ``Safety Zone; Fourth of July Fireworks Patriots Point,
Charleston, SC'' (84 FR 25723). There we stated why we issued the NPRM,
and invited comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this
fireworks display. During the comment period that ended June 19, 2019,
we received no comments.
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 contrary to public interest because we must
establish this safety zone by July 4, 2019 to ensure the protection of
the general public from the dangers associated with the event.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70041 (previously U.S.C. 1231) The COTP Charleston has determined that
potential hazards associated with the fireworks display will be a
safety concern for anyone within 500-yards of the barge from which
fireworks will be launched. The purpose of the rule is to ensure the
safety of participants, spectators, the general public, vessels and the
navigable waters in the safety zone before, during and after the
scheduled event.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM that published
on June 4, 2019. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this
rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
This rule establishes a safety zone from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on
July 4, 2019. The safety zone will cover certain navigable waters
within 500 yards of the fireworks barge located at Patriot's Point on
the Cooper River in Charleston, SC. The duration of the zone is
intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable waters
before, during, and after the scheduled 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. fireworks
display. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter, transit
through, anchor in or remain within the safety zone without obtaining
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. If
authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within
the safety zone is granted by the COTP or a designated representative,
all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with
the instructions of the COTP or a designated representative. The Coast
Guard will provide notice of the safety zone by Local Notice to
Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or by on-scene designated
representatives.
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
[[Page 30899]]
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: The safety zone
will only be enforced for an hour and a half, and although persons and
vessels may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the
safety zone without authorization from the Captain of the Port
Charleston or a designated representative, vessel traffic will be able
to safely operate in the surrounding area during the enforcement period
and the rule would allow vessels to seek permission to enter the zone.
Moreover, the Coast Guard will provide advance notification of the
safety zone to the local maritime community by Local Notice to Mariners
and Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16.
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 zero 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.
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 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 only one and a
half hours that will prohibit entry within 500 yards of a barge from
which fireworks will be launched. 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 AREAS
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.T07-0372 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T07-0372 Safety Zone; Patriots Point Fireworks, Charleston,
SC.
(a) Location. This rule establishes a safety zone on all waters
within a 500-yard radius of the barge, from which fireworks will be
launched on the bank of the Cooper River at Patriot's Point in
Charleston, SC.
(b) Definition. The term ``designated representative'' means Coast
Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty
officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and
Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port Charleston in the enforcement of the regulated
areas.
(c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the
regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the
[[Page 30900]]
Port Charleston or a designated representative.
(2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor
in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the Captain of the
Port Charleston by telephone at 843-740-7050, or a designated
representative via VHF radio on channel 16, to request authorization.
If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within
the regulated area is granted by the Captain of the Port Charleston or
a designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such
authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the
Port Charleston or a designated representative.
(3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or by on-scene
designated representatives.
(d) Enforcement Period. This rule will be enforced on July 4, 2019
from 7:45 p.m. until 9:15 p.m.
Dated: June 21, 2019.
J.W. Reed,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Charleston.
[FR Doc. 2019-13769 Filed 6-27-19; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P