Safety Zone for Fireworks Displays; Upper Potomac River, Washington Channel, DC
Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)
Federal Register Volume 83, Number 220 (Wednesday, November 14, 2018)
Proposed Rules
Pages 56768-56770
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov
FR Doc No: 2018-24773
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
Docket Number USCG-2018-1011
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone for Fireworks Displays; Upper Potomac River, Washington Channel, DC
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Upper Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters of the Washington Channel adjacent to The Wharf DC, Washington, DC, for recurring fireworks displays from January 12, 2019, through December 31, 2019. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region 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 December 14, 2018.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2018-1011 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 Mr. Ron Houck, Sector Maryland-
National Capital Region Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 410-576-2674, email email protected.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
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Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
On October 30, 2018, Pyrotecnico, Inc., of New Castle, PA, notified the Coast Guard that it will be conducting fireworks displays, sponsored by The Wharf DC, from 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. for various events from January 12, 2019, through December 31, 2019. The fireworks are to be launched from a barge in the Washington Channel, adjacent to The Wharf DC in Washington, DC. Hazards from the fireworks displays include accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris. The Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks to
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be used in these displays would be a safety concern for anyone within 200 feet of the fireworks barge.
The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels on the navigable waters within 200 feet of the fireworks barge on the Washington Channel before, during, and after the scheduled events. The Coast Guard proposes this rulemaking under authority in 33 U.S.C. 1231.
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Discussion of Proposed Rule
The COTP proposes to establish a temporary recurring safety zone in the Washington Channel from January 12, 2019, through December 31, 2019. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters of the Washington Channel within 200 feet of the fireworks barge. It is anticipated that the safety zone will be activated for eight separate events during 2019. For each event, the barge will be located within an area bounded on the south by latitude 38deg52'30'' W, and bounded on the north by the Francis Case (I-395) Memorial Bridge, located at Washington, DC. The safety zone would be enforced from 7 p.m. until 11:59 p.m. for each fireworks display scheduled from January 12, 2019, through December 31, 2019. The duration of the safety 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. The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this document.
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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.
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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, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. It is anticipated that the safety zone will be activated for eight separate events during 2019. Although vessel traffic will not be able to safely transit around this safety zone when being enforced, the impact would be for less than 5 hours during the evening when vessel traffic in Washington Channel is normally low. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone.
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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 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 rule 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 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. 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.
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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).
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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.
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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.
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Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, 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 that will be in effect for the entire year, however, when activated, lasting less than 5 hours that
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would prohibit entry within a portion of the Washington Channel. 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.
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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.
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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
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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, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; and; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
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Add Sec. 165.T05-1011 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-1011 Safety Zone for Fireworks Displays, Upper Potomac River, Washington Channel, Washington, DC.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable waters of the Washington Channel within 200 feet of the fireworks barge which will be located within an area bounded on the south by latitude 38deg52'30'' W, and bounded on the north by the southern extent of the Francis Case (I-395) Memorial Bridge, located at Washington, DC. All coordinates refer to datum NAD 1983.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section:
(1) Captain of the Port (COTP) means the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region.
(2) Designated representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region to assist in enforcing the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. All vessels underway within this safety zone at the time it is activated are to depart the zone.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's designated representative by telephone at 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz).
(3) Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
(d) Enforcement officials. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.
(e) Enforcement. This safety zone will be enforced January 12, 2019, through December 31, 2019, from 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. each day that a barge with a ``FIREWORKS--DANGER--STAY AWAY'' sign on the port and starboard sides is on-scene or a ``FIREWORKS--DANGER--STAY AWAY'' sign is posted on land adjacent to the shoreline, near the location described in paragraph (a) of this section. The enforcement times of this section are subject to change, but the duration of each enforcement of the zone is expected to be 5 hours or less. Prior to enforcement, the COTP will provide notice by publishing a Notice of Enforcement in the Federal Register, as well as issuing a Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
Dated: November 7, 2018.
Joseph B. Loring,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region.
FR Doc. 2018-24773 Filed 11-13-18; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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