[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 31 (Friday, February 14, 2020)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8507-8509]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02967]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2020-0061]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone for Fireworks Displays, Upper Potomac River, 
Washington Channel, DC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish 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 Washington Channel adjacent to The Wharf DC, Washington, DC, for 
recurring fireworks displays from April 4, 2020, through December 31, 
2020. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit 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. We 
invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before March 16, 2020.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2020-0061 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, 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:

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, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    On January 9, 2020, Pyrotecnico, Inc., of New Castle, PA, notified 
the Coast Guard that it will be conducting 7 fireworks displays, 
sponsored by The Wharf DC, from 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for various events 
from April 4, 2020, through December 31, 2020. The fireworks are to be 
launched from a barge in the Washington Channel, adjacent to The Wharf 
DC in Washington, DC. The fireworks company has provided dates for two 
of the events, April 4, 2020, and December 5, 2020. However, the dates 
for the remaining five events have not yet been finalized. Hazards from 
the fireworks displays include accidental discharge of fireworks, 
dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris. The 
Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks to be 
used in these displays would be a safety concern for anyone within 200 
feet of the fireworks barge.
    The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels 
and the navigable waters within 200 feet of the fireworks barge on the 
Washington Channel before, during, and after the scheduled events. The 
Coast Guard is proposing this rulemaking under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP is proposing to establish a temporary recurring safety 
zone in the Washington Channel from April 4, 2020, through December 31, 
2020. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters of the 
Washington Channel within 200 feet of the fireworks barge. It is 
anticipated that the safety zone will be activated for seven separate 
events during 2020. For each event, the barge will be located within an 
area bounded on the south by latitude 38[deg]52'30'' N, and bounded on 
the north by the Francis Case (I-395) Memorial Bridge, located at 
Washington, DC. The safety zone would be enforced from 7 p.m. until 
11:59 p.m. for each fireworks display scheduled from April 4, 2020, 
through December 31, 2020. Prior to enforcement, the COTP will provide 
notice by publishing a Notice of Enforcement at least 2 days in advance 
of the event in the Federal Register, as well as issuing a Local Notice 
to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners at least 24 hours in 
advance. 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 would be permitted to 
enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a 
designated representative. The regulatory text we are proposing appears 
at the end of this document.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed 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 NPRM has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, the NPRM 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. It is anticipated that 
the safety zone will be activated for seven separate events during 
2020. Although vessel traffic will not be able to safely transit around 
this safety zone when being enforced, the impact would be for less than 
5 hours during the evening when vessel traffic in Washington Channel 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 certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this 
proposed rule would not

[[Page 8508]]

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 
IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on any vessel owner or operator.
    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.
    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 proposed 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 call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any 
policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments) because it would 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 proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please call or email 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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland 
Security Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing 
instructions, 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 made 
a preliminary determination 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 proposed rule involves a safety 
zone that will be in effect for the entire year, however, when 
activated, lasting less than 5 hours that would prohibit entry within a 
portion of the Washington Channel. Normally such actions are 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of 
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A 
preliminary Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this 
determination is available in the docket. For instructions on locating 
the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble. We seek any 
comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant 
environmental impact from this proposed rule.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to call or email 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.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for 
alternate instructions.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and 
submissions in response to this document, see DHS's Correspondence 
System of Records notice (84 FR 48645, September 26, 2018).
    Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket, 
and all public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up 
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a 
final rule is published.

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 is 
proposing to amend 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.T05-0061 to read as follows:

[[Page 8509]]

Sec.  165.T05-0061   Safety Zone for Fireworks Displays; Upper Potomac 
River, Washington Channel, Washington, DC.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Washington Channel within 200 feet of the fireworks barge 
which will be located within an area bounded on the south by latitude 
38[deg]52'30'' N, and bounded on the north by the southern extent of 
the Francis Case (I-395) Memorial Bridge, located at Washington, DC. 
These coordinates are based on 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. This safety zone will be enforced April 4, 2020, 
through December 31, 2020, from 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day that a 
barge with a ``FIREWORKS--DANGER--STAY AWAY'' sign on the port and 
starboard sides is on-scene or a ``FIREWORKS--DANGER--STAY AWAY'' sign 
is posted on land adjacent to the shoreline, near the location 
described in paragraph (a) of this section. The enforcement times of 
this section are subject to change, but the duration of each 
enforcement of the zone is expected to be 5 hours or less. Prior to 
enforcement, the COTP will provide notice by publishing a Notice of 
Enforcement at least 2 days in advance of the event in the Federal 
Register, as well as issuing a Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast 
Notice to Mariners at least 24 hours in advance.

    Dated: February 10, 2020.
Joseph B. Loring,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2020-02967 Filed 2-13-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P