Ports and waterways safety: Thames River, CT; safety zone,
[Federal Register: June 28, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 123)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 34551-34553]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr28jn99-17]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[CGD01-99-061]
RIN 2115-AA97
Safety Zone: Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Display, Thames River, Groton, CT
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for the Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Display to be held on the Thames River, Groton, CT, on July 10, 1999. This action is needed to protect persons, facilities, vessels and others in the maritime community from the safety hazards associated with this fireworks display. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.
DATES: This regulation is effective on July 10, 1999, from 8:55 p.m. until 10:10
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p.m. In case of inclement weather, July 11, 1999 is the scheduled rain date for this event.
ADDRESSES: Documents relating to this temporary final rule are available for inspection and copying at U.S. Coast Guard Group Long Island Sound, 120 Woodward Avenue, New Haven, CT 06512. Normal office hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Comments may also be faxed to this address. The fax number is (203) 468-4445.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander T.J. Walker, Chief of Port Operations, Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound at (203) 468-4444.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory History
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and for making this rule effective in less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. The sponsor of the event did not provide the Coast Guard with the final details for the event in sufficient time to publish a NPRM or a final rule 30 days in advance. The delay encountered if normal rulemaking procedures were followed would effectively cancel the event. Cancellation of this event is contrary to the public interest since the fireworks display is for the benefit of the public.
Background and Purpose
The Thames River Fireworks Committee, of Groton, CT, is sponsoring a 30 minute fireworks display in the Thames River, Groton, CT. The fireworks display will occur on July 10, 1999, from 9:25 p.m. until 9:55 p.m. The safety zone covers all waters of the Thames River within a 1200 foot radius of the fireworks launching barges which will be located off Groton, CT, in approximate positions; barge one, 41 deg.- 21'01.5''N, 072 deg.-05'25''W, barge two, 41 deg.-20'58''N, 072 deg.- 05'23''W and barge three, 41 deg.-20'53.5''N, 072 deg.-05'21''W (NAD 1983). This zone is required to protect the maritime community from the safety dangers associated with this fireworks display. Entry into or movement within this zone will be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his on-scene representative.
Regulatory Evaluation
This temporary final rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It has been exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget under that order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. This safety zone involves only a portion of the Thames River and entry into this zone will be restricted for 75 minutes on July 10, 1999. Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting this section of Thames River, the effect of this regulation will not be significant for several reasons: the duration of the event is limited; the event is at a late hour; all vessel traffic may safely pass around this safety zone; and extensive, advance maritime advisories will be made.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Coast Guard considered whether this proposal would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small entities'' include independently owned and operated small businesses that are not dominant in their field and (2) governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000.
For the reasons discussed under the Regulatory Evaluation above, the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Assistance for Small Entities
Under subsection 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 [Pub. L. 104-121], the Coast Guard wants to assist small entities in understanding this final rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If your small business or organization would be affected by this final rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please call LCDR T.J. Walker, telephone (203) 468-4444.
The Ombudsman of Regulatory Enforcement for Small Business and Agriculture, and 10 Regional Fairness Boards, were established to receive comments from small businesses about enforcement by Federal agencies. The Ombudsman will annually evaluate such enforcement and rate each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on enforcement by the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888- 734-3247).
Collection of Information
This rule contains no collection of information requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this action in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and has determined that these regulations do not raise sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Unfunded Mandates
Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4), the Coast Guard must consider whether this rule will result in an annual expenditure by state, local, and tribal governments, in aggregate of $100 million (adjusted annually for inflation). If so, the Act requires that a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives be considered, and that from those alternatives, the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objective of the rule be selected. No state, local, or tribal government entities will be effected by this rule, so this rule will not result in annual or aggregate costs of $100 million or more. Therefore, the Coast Guard is exempt from any further regulatory requirements under the Unfunded Mandates Act.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this regulation and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of Commandant Instruction, M 16475.C, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. A written Categorical Exclusion Determination is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under Addresses.
Other Executive Orders on the Regulatory Process
In addition to the statutes and Executive Orders already addressed in this preamble, the Coast Guard considered the following executive orders in developing this final rule and reached the following conclusions:
E.O. 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights. This final rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking of
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private property or otherwise have taking implications under this Order.
E.O. 12875, Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership. This final rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of this Order to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
E.O. 13405, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This final rule is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an environmental risk to safety disproportionately affecting children.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reports and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
Regulation
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:
PART 165--[AMENDED]
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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(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6 and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46. Section 165.100 is also issued under authority of Sec. 311, Pub.L. 105-383.
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Add temporary Sec. 165.T01-CGD1-061 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-CGD1-061; Mashantucket Peqout Fireworks Display, Thames River, Groton, CT.
(a) Location. The safety zone includes all waters of Thames River within a 1200 foot radius of the launch site located on the Thames River, Groton, CT. in approximate position 41 deg.-21'01.5''N, 072 deg.-05'25''W, 41 deg.-20'58''N, 072 deg.-05'23''W and 41 deg.- 20'53.5''N, 072 deg.-05'21''W (NAD 1983).
(b) Effective date. This section is effective on July 10, 1999 from 8:55 p.m. until 10:10 p.m. In case of inclement weather, July 11, 1999, is the scheduled rain date for this event.
(c)(1) Regulations. The general regulations covering safety zones contained in section 165.23 of this part apply.
(2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on scene patrol personnel. U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel via siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. P.K. Mitchell, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.
[FR Doc. 99-16363Filed6-25-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M
