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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 229 (Wednesday, November 27, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 93474-93476]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-27875]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2024-1009]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Corpus Christi Bay, Corpus Christi, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain navigable waters in the Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, 
Texas. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment from potential hazards created by fireworks display 
launched from a barge in Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, Texas. Entry 
of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9:30 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on 
December 7, 2024.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2024-1009 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, 
call or email Lieutenant Timothy Cardenas, Sector Corpus Christi 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-939-
5130, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule under authority in 5

[[Page 93475]]

U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This statutory provision authorizes an agency to 
issue a rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the 
agency, for good cause, finds that those procedures are 
``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' 
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists 
for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect 
to this rule because it is impracticable. The Coast Guard was notified 
of this event on October 30, 2024, and must establish this safety zone 
by December 7, 2024, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created by the fireworks display, 
and therefore lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment 
period and then a period to consider those comments before issuing the 
rule.
    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 the effective date of 
this rule would be contrary to the public interest because prompt 
action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated 
with fireworks launched from a barge in the waters of the Laguna Madre.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks 
display, occurring from 9:30 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on December 7, 
2024, will be a safety concern for anyone within the waters of the 
Laguna Madre area within a 700-yard radius of the barge from which the 
display will be launched. This rule is needed to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the 
safety zone while the fireworks display occurs in the Laguna Madre.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 9:30 p.m. to 
11:59 p.m. on the night of December 7, 2024. The safety zone will 
encompass all navigable waters of the Laguna Madre and is defined by a 
700-yard radius from the launch platform. The regulated area 
encompasses a 700-yard radius of the following point: 26[deg]06'02.1'' 
N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W. The fireworks display will take place in waters 
of the Laguna Madre. No vessel or person is permitted to enter the 
temporary safety zone during the effective period without obtaining 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative, who may be 
contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) or by telephone at 361-939-
0450. The Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners and 
Safety Marine Information Broadcasts.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this 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. This rule has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866, as amended by 
Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). Accordingly, 
this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. The temporary safety zone 
will be enforced for the short period of two and a half hours, on the 
night of December 7, 2024, when vessel traffic is normally low. The 
zone is limited to a 700-yard radius from the launching position in the 
navigable waters of the Laguna Madre. The rule does not completely 
restrict the traffic within a waterway and allows mariners to request 
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 rule 
will 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 
V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any 
vessel owner or operator.
    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. If the rule would affect your 
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have 
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please 
call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    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 Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
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 1-888-REG-FAIR 
(1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or 
action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This rule will 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 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 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. If 
you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, 
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section above.

[[Page 93476]]

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 rule will not result in 
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Directive 023-01, and Environmental Planning, COMDTINST 5090.1 
(series), which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f) and have 
determined 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 rule involves establishment of a temporary safety 
zone for navigable waters of the Laguna Madre in a zone defined by a 
700-yard radius around the fireworks barge, located at the following 
point: 26[deg]06'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W. It is categorically 
excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, 
Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Record of 
Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available 
in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see the 
ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

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.

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 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:  46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T08-1009 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-1009  Safety Zone; Corpus Christi Bay, Corpus Christi, 
TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable 
waters of the Laguna Madre encompassed by a 700-yard radius around the 
fireworks barge, located at the following point: 26[deg]06'02.1'' N, 
97[deg]10'17.7'' W.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section is subject to enforcement from 
9:30 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on December 7, 2024.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
subpart C of this part, entry into this temporary safety zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus 
Christi (COTP) or a designated representative. They may be contacted on 
Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) or by telephone at 361-939-0450.
    (2) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply 
with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this 
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners and Safety Marine 
Information Broadcasts as appropriate.

    Dated: November 21, 2024.
T.H. Bertheau,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2024-27875 Filed 11-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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