[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 249 (Friday, December 29, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 90096-90098]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28756]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0961]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX

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 
certain navigable waters in the Laguna Madre. The safety zone is needed 
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created by a firework display launched from a 
stationary barge in the Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, Texas. Entry 
of vessels or persons into this zone or remaining in the zone when it 
is in effect is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the 
Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 p.m. on December 31, 2023, through 
1 a.m. on January 1st, 2024.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0961 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 about this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Commander Anthony Garofalo, Sector Corpus 
Christi Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-
939-5130, 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

[[Page 90097]]

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 is impracticable. We must establish this safety zone to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential 
hazards created by the fireworks display, and we lack sufficient time 
to provide a reasonable comment period and consider any comments 
submitted before issuing the rule.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), and for the same reason provided above, 
the Coast Guard finds that good cause also exists for making this rule 
effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

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 Corpus Christi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks 
displays occurring from 9 p.m. on December 31, 2023, through 1 a.m. on 
January 1st, 2024, will be a safety concern for anyone in the waters of 
the Laguna Madre area within a 700 yard radius of the following point; 
26[deg]6'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W. The purpose of this rule is to 
ensure safety of vessels and persons on these navigable waters in the 
safety zone while the display of the fireworks takes place in the 
Laguna Madre.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone beginning on the 
night of December 31, 2023, and continuing into the early morning of 
January 1st, 2024. The safety zone will encompass certain navigable 
waters of the Laguna Madre, and is defined by a 700 yard radius around 
the launching platform, which will be located at the following point: 
26[deg]6'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W. No vessel or person is permitted 
to enter the temporary safety zone during the period when it is in 
effect without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative, who may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz), 
or by telephone at 361-939-0450. The Coast Guard will issue 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 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, and duration of the safety zone. The temporary safety zone 
will be in effect for the short period of 4 hours, beginning the night 
of December 31, 2023, into the early morning of January 1st, 2024. The 
zone is limited to the area with a 700 yard radius of the launching 
position in the navigable waters of the Laguna Madre. Prohibiting 
vessel traffic within that zone does not completely restrict the 
traffic within the waterway, and the rule allows mariners to request 
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 
temporary 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 
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

[[Page 90098]]

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 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.

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, 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.T08-0961 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0961  Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters of the Laguna Madre encompassed by a 700-yard radius from the 
following point; 26[deg]6'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section is in effect, and subject to 
enforcement, from 9 p.m. on December 31, 2023, through 1 a.m. on 
January 1st, 2024.
    (c) Regulations. (1) According to the general regulations in Sec.  
165.23 of this part, remaining in, or entry into this temporary safety 
zone are prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, 
Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated representative. They may 
be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) or by telephone at 361-
939-0450.
    (2) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply 
with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. 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.

    Dated: December 22, 2023.
Jason Gunning,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2023-28756 Filed 12-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P