Ports and waterways safety: Westhampton Beach, NY; safety zone,
[Federal Register: August 31, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 170)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 45926-45928]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au01-4]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD01-01-133]
RIN 2115-AA97
Safety Zone; Ackerman Engagement Fireworks Display, Westhampton Beach, NY
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for a fireworks display located in the Atlantic Ocean off Westhampton Beach, NY. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Atlantic Ocean.
DATES: This rule is effective from 9:15 p.m. on September 2, 2001, until 10:30 p.m. on September 3, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket (CGD01-01-133) and are available for inspection or copying at Coast Guard Group/Marine Safety Office, 120 Woodward Ave., New Haven, CT 06512, between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: MSTC C. D. Stubblefield, Office Supervisor, Coast Guard Group/MSO Long Island Sound (203) 468-4428.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory Information
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. An NPRM was considered unnecessary because the fireworks display is a local event which will have minimal impact on the waterway. The zone is only in effect for 1 hour and 15 minutes and vessels can be given permission to transit the zone during all but about 30 minutes of this time. Vessels may transit around the zone at all times. Additionally, vessels would not be precluded from mooring at or getting underway from commercial or recreational piers in the vicinity of the zone.
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. We did not receive sufficient advance notice of the fireworks display to allow an NPRM. The fireworks display is a local event; for the reasons previously stated, it has minimal impact on the waterway. Any delay encountered in this regulation's effective date would be unnecessary and contrary to the public interest since immediate action is needed to close a portion of the waterway and protect the maritime public for the hazards associated with this fireworks display.
Background and Purpose
The Coast Guard received an application to hold a fireworks program on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean off Westhampton Beach, NY. This regulation establishes a safety zone in all waters of the Atlantic Ocean within a 1200-foot radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 40 deg.47'30" N, 072 deg.38'30" W (NAD 1983). The safety zone will be enforced from 9:15 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on September 2, 2001. In the event of inclement weather, this rule will be enforced during the same hours on September 3, 2001 instead.
The safety zone prevents vessels from transiting a portion of the Atlantic Ocean and is needed to protect boaters from the hazards associated with fireworks launched from a barge in the area. Marine traffic will still be able to transit around the zone during this event. Additionally, vessels would not be precluded from mooring at or getting underway from commercial or recreational piers in the vicinity of the zone. Public notifications will be made prior to the event via the Local Notice to Mariners and Marine Information Broadcasts.
[[Page 45927]]
Regulatory Evaluation
This 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. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it 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 final rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. This finding is based on the minimal time that vessels will be restricted from the zone, that vessels may still transit around the zone during the event, vessels would not be precluded from mooring at or getting underway from commercial or recreational piers in the vicinity of the zone, and advance notifications which will be made.
The size of this safety zone was determined using National Fire Protection Association and the Captain of the Port Long Island Sound Standing Orders for 12-inch mortars fired from a barge combined with the Coast Guard's knowledge of tide and current conditions in the area.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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.
This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in a portion of the Atlantic Ocean during the times this zone is activated.
This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. It is a local event with minimal impact on the waterway, vessels may still transit around the zone during the event, the zone is only in effect for 1 hour and 15 minutes and vessels can be given permission to transit the zone except for about 30 minutes during this time. Additionally, vessels would not be precluded from mooring at or getting underway from commercial or recreational piers in the vicinity of the zone. Before the effective period, public notifications will be made via Local Notice to Mariners and Marine Information Broadcasts.
Assistance for 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 so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the rule will affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact Chief Petty Officer Chris Stubblefield, in the Command Center at Coast Guard Group/Marine Safety Office Long Island Sound, CT, at (203) 468-4428.
Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132 and have determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism under that Order.
Unfunded Mandates
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) governs the issuance of Federal regulations that require unfunded mandates. An unfunded mandate is a regulation that requires a State, local, or tribal government or the private sector to incur direct costs without the Federal Government's having first provided the funds to pay those unfunded mandate costs. This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate.
Taking of Private Property
This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments. A rule with tribal implications has 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.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.
Environment
The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. This rule fits paragraph 34(g) as it establishes a safety zone. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
Regulation
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:
[[Page 45928]]
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
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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, 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.
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From 9:15 p.m. on September 2, 2001, through 10:30 p.m. on September 3, 2001, add temporary Sec. 165.T01-133 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-133 Safety Zone: Ackerman Engagement Fireworks Display, Westhampton Beach, NY.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of the Atlantic Ocean within a 1200-foot radius of the fireworks barge in approximate position 40 deg.47'30" N, 072 deg.38'30" W (NAD 1983).
(b) Enforcement times and dates. This section will be enforced from 9:15 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on September 2, 2001. In the event of inclement weather, this section will be enforced during the same hours on September 3, 2001 instead.
(c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 165.23 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. These personnel comprise commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed.
Dated: August 23, 2001. J.J. Coccia, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound.
[FR Doc. 01-22053Filed8-30-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P
