[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 74 (Tuesday, April 17, 2018)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16817-16819]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-07908]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2018-0331]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary safety zone
for certain navigable waters of the Mississippi River from mile marker
(MM) 94 to MM 95 above Head of Passes. This action is necessary to
provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Algiers
Point, New Orleans, LA, during a fireworks display on June 30, 2018.
This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being
in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector
New Orleans 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 May 17, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2018-0331 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://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 Lieutenant Commander Howard Vacco,
Sector New Orleans, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 504-365-2281, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
MM Mile marker
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
On April 4, 2018, AFX Pro, LLC, notified the Coast Guard that it
would
[[Page 16818]]
be conducting a fireworks display from 10 p.m. through 10:45 p.m. on
June 30, 2018, for a wedding celebration. The fireworks are to be
launched from a barge in the Mississippi River at approximate mile
marker (MM) 95.5 above Head of Passes near Algiers Point, New Orleans,
LA. Hazards from firework displays include accidental discharge of
fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other
debris. The Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans (COTP) has
determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks to be
used in this display would be a safety concern for anyone within a one-
mile stretch of the river.
The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels
on the navigable waters within a one-mile stretch of the river before,
during, and after the fireworks display. The Coast Guard proposes this
rulemaking under authority in 33 U.S.C. 1231.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The COTP proposes to establish a safety zone from 9:45 p.m. through
11 p.m. on June 30, 2018. The safety zone would cover all navigable
waters of the Mississippi River above Head of Passes between mile
markers (MM) 94 and 95. 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. A designated representative is
a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector New
Orleans.
Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be
contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67 or by telephone at (504) 365-2200.
Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must transit at
their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful directions issued
by 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 and
duration of the safety zone. This safety zone is for only one hour on a
one-mile section of the waterway. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue
a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) 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
proposed rule would 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
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 proposed 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 rulemaking 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 rulemaking 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. 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 contact 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
[[Page 16819]]
Security Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 lasting one hour
that would prohibit entry between mile marker 95 and mile marker 94 on
the Lower Mississippi River above Head of Passes. 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.
01. A preliminary Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this
determination is available in the docket where indicated under
ADDRESSES. 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 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.
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 http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact 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 http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the
docket, visit http://www.regulations.gov/privacyNotice.
Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket,
and all public comments, will be in our online docket at http://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 proposes
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: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 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.T08-0331 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0331 Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans,
LA.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable
waters of the Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA from mile marker
(MM) 94 to MM 95 above Head of Passes.
(b) Effective period. This section is effective from 9:45 p.m.
through 11 p.m. on June 30, 2018.
(c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in
Sec. 165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans (COTP) or
designated representative. A designated representative is a
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector New
Orleans.
(2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be
contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67 or by telephone at (504) 365-2200.
(3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
(d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative
will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners of any
changes in the planned schedule.
Dated: April 11, 2018.
Wayne R. Arguin,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans.
[FR Doc. 2018-07908 Filed 4-16-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P