Regattas and marine parades: Thunder on the Niagara,
[Federal Register: May 25, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 101)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 30064-30066]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr25my06-9]
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[CGD09-06-029]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara, the Niagara River at Gratwick Riverside Park, North Tonowanda, NY
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone encompassing the navigable waters of the upper Niagara River by Gratwick Riverside Park in North Tonawanda, NY. This safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with a boat race. This safety zone restricts vessel traffic from a portion of the Niagara River at Gratwick Riverside Park, North Tonawanda, NY.
DATES: This rule is in effect from 11 a.m. on June 3, 2006 until 5 p.m. on June 4, 2006. This rule will be enforced from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. on June 3, 2006, and from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. on June 4, 2006. All times are local.
ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of the docket (CGD09-06-029), and are available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, 1 Fuhrmann Blvd, Buffalo, New York 14203 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. (local), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT Tracy Wirth, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo, at (716) 843-9573.
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. This safety zone will only be in effect for two days and there was insufficient time to publish an NPRM. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard also finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Delaying this rule would be contrary to the public interest since immediate action is needed to minimize potential danger to the public during the fireworks demonstration.
Background and Purpose
A temporary safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and spectators from the hazards associated with powerboat races. Based on recent accidents that have occurred in other Captain of the Port zones, the Captain of the Port Buffalo has determined powerboat races pose significant risks to public safety and property.
In the absence of a safety zone, the likely combination of large numbers of recreational vessels, congested waterways, and alcohol use, could easily result in serious injuries or fatalities.
Discussion of Rule
The proposed safety zone consists of all navigable waters of the Upper
[[Page 30065]]
Niagara River located at 42[deg]03'36'' N, 078[deg]54'45'' W to 43[deg]03'09'' N, 078[deg]55'21'' W to 43[deg]03'00'' N, 078[deg]53'42'' W to 43[deg]02'42'' N, 078[deg]54'09'' W. All Geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). The size of this proposed zone was determined using the location of the race course approved by the Captain of the Port Buffalo and local knowledge concerning wind, waves, and currents.
All persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or his designated patrol representative. The designated on-scene patrol representative will be the patrol commander. Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his designated on-scene representative. The Captain of the Port or his designated on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 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 this rule under that Order. It is not ``significant'' under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies and procedures of DHS is unnecessary.
This determination is based on the minimal time that vessels will be restricted from the zone, and the zone is in areas where the Coast Guard expects insignificant adverse impact to mariners from the zone's activation.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule will have a significant 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 may affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: The owners or operators of commercial vessels intending to transit a portion of an activated safety zone.
This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This safety zone is only in effect for two short periods of time. Vessel traffic can safely pass outside the safety zone during the event. In cases where traffic congestion is greater than expected or blocks shipping channels, traffic may be allowed to pass through the safety zone under Coast Guard or assisting agency escort with the permission of the Captain of the Port Buffalo. Additionally, the Coast Guard has not received any negative reports from small entities affected during these displays in previous years.
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 and participate in the rulemaking process.
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 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- 800-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
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
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.
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 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.
Taking of Private Property
This rule will not affect 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 will not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
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.
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. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.
Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency
[[Page 30066]]
provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.
This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. Therefore, we believe that this rule should be categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, from further environmental documentation. A preliminary ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' is available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
0 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: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
0 2. Add temporary Sec. 165.T09-029 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T09-029 Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara, Gratwick Riverside Park, North Tonawanda, NY.
(a) Location. The following area is a temporary safety zone: all waters of the upper Niagara River located at 42[deg]03[min]36[sec] N, 078[deg]54[min]45[sec] W to 43[deg]03[min]09[sec] N, 078[deg]55[min]21[sec] W to 43[deg]03[min]00[sec] N, 078[deg]53[min]42[sec] W to 43[deg]02[min]42[sec] N, 078[deg]54[min]09[sec] W. All Geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).
(b) Regulations. (1) Entry into or remaining in this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Buffalo.
(2) In accordance with the general regulations in Sec. 165.23 of this part, entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Buffalo, or his designated on- scene representative.
(c) Effective time and date. This rule is in effect from 11 a.m. (local) on June 3, 2006 until 5 p.m. (local) on June 4, 2006. This rule will be enforced from 11 (local) a.m. until 5 p.m. (local) on June 3, 2006 and from 12 p.m. (local) until 5 p.m. (local) on June 4, 2006.
Dated: May 12, 2006. S.J. Furguson, Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Buffalo.
[FR Doc. E6-8067 Filed 5-24-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P
