[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 164 (Friday, August 25, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58110-58112]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18374]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0707]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Ohio River, Mile Markers 322.5 to 323, Ashland, KY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for a 
fireworks display occurring on September 12, 2023, on the Ohio River, 
Ashland, KY. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters between 
mile marker 322.5 and 323 to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards associated with a fireworks event. 
Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley 
(COTP) or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:30 p.m. through 8:15 p.m. on 
September 12, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0707 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 on this rule, 
call or email Petty Officer Chelsea Zimmerman, Marine Safety Unit 
Huntington, U.S. Coast Guard, telephone 304-733-0198, 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 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

[[Page 58111]]

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 publishing an NPRM would be impracticable. A safety zone 
is needed to alleviate safety concerns associated with a fireworks 
display that is being launched from two barges in the Ohio River. It is 
impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety 
zone by September 12, 2023, and lack sufficient time to provide a 
reasonable comment period and then consider those comments before 
issuing the rule.
    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 we must establish the safety zone by September 12, 2023, in 
order to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
the potential safety hazards associated with a fireworks display that 
is being launched from two barges in the Ohio River.

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 Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) has determined 
that safety needs associated with a fireworks display on September 12, 
2023, present a safety concern. The purpose of this rulemaking is to 
ensure the safety of the public surrounding the regulated area before, 
during, and after the fireworks event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone that will be enforced from 7:30 
p.m. until 8:15 p.m. on September 12, 2023. The safety zone will cover 
all navigable waters between mile markers 322.5 to 323 on the Ohio 
River. The duration of the zone is intended to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters during 
the fireworks display. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter 
the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a 
designated representative. A designated representative means a Coast 
Guard Patrol Commander, 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 COTP in the 
enforcement of the safety zone.
    Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 1-502-
779-5424. If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall 
comply with the instructions of the COTP or 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, Local Notices to Mariners, and/or Safety Marine 
Information Broadcasts 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. This rule has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as 
amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). 
Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the regulated area. This rule is 
limited to the Ohio River from mile 322.5 to 323 on September 12, 2023, 
and will be enforced only for a forty-five-minute duration. Moreover, 
the Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM 
marine channel 16 about the regulated area and the rule allows vessels 
to seek permission to enter the area.

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,

[[Page 58112]]

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 
establishing a temporary safety zone lasting only forty-five minutes on 
the Ohio River at mile 322.5 to 323 on September 12, 2023. 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.T08-0707 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0707  Safety Zone; Ohio River, Mile Markers 322.5 to 323, 
Ashland, KY.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters of the Ohio River from mile marker 317 to mile marker 317.5, 
extending the entire width of the river.
    (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.
    (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. The Coast Guard may patrol the event 
area under the direction of a designated Coast Guard Patrol Commander.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, the COTP or the COTP's 
representative may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) by the 
call sign ``PATCOM'', or phone at 1-606-923-4884. 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.
    (3) 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.
    (4) 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.
    (5) 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 period. This section will be enforced from 7:30 
p.m. to 8:15 p.m. on September 12, 2023.

    Dated: August 17, 2023.
H.R. Mattern,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley.
[FR Doc. 2023-18374 Filed 8-24-23; 8:45 am]
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