[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 107 (Monday, June 5, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36477-36479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-11848]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0353]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Kanawha River, Charleston, WV

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone June 
30, 2023, through July 4, 2023, on the Kanawha River, Charleston, WV, 
for events associated with the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta. The 
safety zone will cover all navigable waters between mile marker 58 and 
59. This action is necessary to protect regatta participants, the 
public, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a 
regatta, as well as fireworks. This rulemaking prohibits persons and 
vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain 
of the Port Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 p.m. on June 30, 2023, through 
9:45 p.m. on July 4, 2023. This rule will be enforced: 9 p.m. through 
11 p.m. on June 30, 2023; 11:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. on July 2, 2023; 
and 9 p.m. through 10 p.m. on July 4, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0353 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email MST1 Chelsea Zimmerman, Marine 
Safety Unit Huntington, U.S. Coast Guard; (304) 733-0198, 
[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

    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)(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 and 
contrary to the public interest to do so. We must establish the safety 
zone by June 30, 2023, in order to protect the public from potential 
hazards associated with the planned events and we lack sufficient time 
to request public comments and respond to these comments before the 
safety zone must be established. Potential hazards could be falling 
debris from firework displays launched over the river, or marine 
casualties while transiting the safety zone during sternwheel races.
    For those same reasons, 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 Charleston Sternwheel 
Regatta taking place on the Kanawha River, Charleston, WV.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port Ohio Valley (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the Charleston Sternwheel Regatta 
will be a safety concern for anyone between mile marker 58 and 59 on 
the Kanawha River, Charleston, WV, starting June 30, 2023. This rule is 
needed to protect participants, vessels, and the marine environment in 
these navigable waters for the duration of the event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 9 p.m. on June 30, 2023, 
until 10 p.m. on July 4, 2023. The safety zone will be enforced: 9 p.m. 
through 11 p.m. on June 30, 2023; 11:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. on July 
2, 2023; and 9 p.m. through 10 p.m. on July 4, 2023. The safety zone 
will cover all navigable waters between mile marker 58 and 59 on the 
Kanawha River, Charleston, WV. The duration of enforcement of the

[[Page 36478]]

safety zones are intended to protect participants, vessels, and the 
marine environment from potential hazards associated with firework 
events and a regatta.

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. 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).
    This regulatory action determination is based on size, location, 
duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic will be 
able to safely transit around this safety zone which would impact a 
small, designated area of the Kanawha River for 3 hours or less where 
vessel traffic is normally light. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue 
a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the 
zone, and the rule would allow 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 
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 
call or email 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.

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, 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 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 3a 
safety zone that will be enforced on three separate occasions, each 
occasion lasting 3 hours or less that will prohibit vessels from all 
navigable water between mile marker 58 and 59 on the Kanawha River, 
Charleston, WV. 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. 1. A 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.

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.

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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-0353 to read as follows:

[[Page 36479]]

Sec.  165.T08-0353  Safety Zone; Kanawha River, Charleston, WV.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters between mile marker 58 and 59 on the Kanawha River, Charleston, 
WV.
    (b) Definitions. Designated representative means a Coast Guard 
Patrol Commander (PATCOM), including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty 
officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, 
State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the 
Port Ohio Valley (COTP) in the enforcement of the regulations in this 
section.
    Participant means any person or vessel registered with the event 
sponsor as a participant in the race.
    Spectator vessel means any vessel not registered with the event 
sponsor as a participant in the race or assigned as an official patrol 
vessel.
    (c) Regulations. The Coast Guard may patrol the event area under 
the direction of a designated Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The Patrol 
Commander may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) by the call 
sign ``PATCOM.''
    (1) All persons and vessels not registered with the sponsor as 
participants or official patrol vessels are considered spectators. The 
``official patrol vessels'' consist of any Coast Guard, state or local 
law enforcement and sponsor provided vessels assigned or approved by 
the Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, to patrol the event.
    (2) Spectator vessels desiring to transit the regulated area may do 
so only with prior approval of the Patrol Commander and when so 
directed by that officer and will be operated at a no wake speed in a 
manner which will not endanger participants in the event or any other 
craft.
    (3) No spectator vessel shall anchor, block, loiter, or impede the 
through transit of participants or official patrol vessels in the 
regulated area during the effective dates and times, unless cleared for 
entry by or through an official patrol vessel.
    (4) The Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all 
vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or signaled by an official 
patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an immediate stop and comply with 
the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the 
area, citation for failure to comply, or both.
    (5) Any spectator vessel may anchor outside the regulated area 
specified above, but may not anchor in, block, or loiter in a navigable 
channel.
    (6) The Patrol Commander may terminate the event or the operation 
of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of 
life or property.
    (7) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by VHF-FM marine radio channel 16 or phone at 1-800-253-
7465. Those in the regulated area must comply with all lawful orders or 
directions given to them by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (8) The COTP will provide notice of the regulated area through 
advanced notice via local notice to mariners and broadcast notice to 
mariners and by on-scene designated representatives.
    (d) Enforcement periods. This safety zone will be enforced: 9 p.m. 
through 11 p.m. on June 30, 2023; from 11:30 a.m. through 2:30 p.m. on 
July 2, 2023; and from 9 p.m. through 10 p.m. on July 4, 2023.

    Dated: May 26, 2023.
H.R. Mattern,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Ohio Valley.
[FR Doc. 2023-11848 Filed 6-2-23; 8:45 am]
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