[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 248 (Thursday, December 28, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 89576-89578]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28650]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0986]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Erie Canal, North Tonawanda, NY

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 
navigable waters within a 105-foot radius of a pedestrian bridge and 
the surrounding Erie Canal in North Tonawanda, NY. The safety zone is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or 
persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by 
the Captain of the Port, Eastern Great Lakes.

[[Page 89577]]


DATES: This rule is effective from 11:40 p.m. December 31, 2023, 
through 12:30 a.m. January 1, 2024.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0986 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 rule, 
call or email LT William Kelley, Waterways Management at Sector Eastern 
Great Lakes, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 716-843-9343, 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

    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 the event sponsor did not submit 
notice of the fireworks display to the Coast Guard with sufficient time 
remaining before the event to publish an NPRM. Delaying the effective 
date of this rule to wait for a comment period to run would be 
impracticable and contrary to the public interest by inhibiting the 
Coast Guard's ability to protect spectators and vessels from the 
hazards associated with this fireworks display.
    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. For the same reasons discussed in 
the preceding paragraph, waiting for a 30-day notice period to run 
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.

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 (COTP) 
Eastern Great Lakes has determined that fireworks over the water 
presents significant risks to public safety and property. This rule is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
navigable waters within the safety zone while the fireworks display is 
taking place.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 11:40 p.m. December 31, 
2023, through 12:30 a.m. on January 1, 2024. The safety zone will cover 
all navigable waters within a 105-foot radius of land launched 
fireworks over the Erie Canal, in North Tonawanda, NY. The duration of 
the zone is intended to protect spectators, 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 Eastern Great Lakes 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. 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 safety zone. The safety zone 
will encompass a 105-foot radius of land launched fireworks in the Erie 
Canal, in North Tonawanda, NY. lasting approximately one hour during 
the evening when vessel traffic is normally low. 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.
    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.

[[Page 89578]]

    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 a 
safety zone lasting only 50 minutes that will prohibit entry within 105 
feet of the fireworks launch site. 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.T09-0986 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T09-0986  Safety Zone; Erie Canal, North Tonawanda, NY.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Erie Canal, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a 105-foot 
radius around 43[deg]01'17.96'' N 78[deg]52'41.04'' W.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, 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 
Captain of the Port Eastern Great Lakes (COTP) in the enforcement of 
the safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety 
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Eastern Great Lakes or 
a designated representative.
    (2) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone must contact the COTP Eastern Great Lakes or their designated 
representative to obtain permission to do so. The COTP Eastern Great 
Lakes or their designated representative may be contacted via VHF 
Channel 16. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in 
the safety zone must comply with all directions given to them by the 
COTP Eastern Great Lakes, or their designated representative.
    (d) Enforcement period. The regulated area described in paragraph 
(a) is effective from 11:40 p.m. on December 31, 2023 to 12:30 a.m. on 
January 1, 2024.

    Dated: December 19, 2023.
M.I. Kuperman,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Eastern Great Lakes.
[FR Doc. 2023-28650 Filed 12-27-23; 8:45 am]
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