Document ID: USCG-2022-0354-0002
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Mystic River, Mystic, CT
Posted Date: 2022-10-14T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 198 (Friday, October 14, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 62311-62312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22395]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0354]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Mystic River, Mystic, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Mystic River for the Mystic Seaport Bridge 100th Anniversary Fireworks 
Display. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on 
the navigable waters in the vicinity of the Mystic Bascule Bridge 
during a fireworks display. This rule would prohibit persons and 
vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain 
of the Port Long Island Sound or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:45 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on 
Saturday, October 15, 2022 with a rain date effective from 7:45 p.m. 
through 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2022-0354 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Marine Science Technician 2nd Class Mark Paget, Waterways 
Management Division, Sector Long Island Sound; Tele: (203) 468-4583; 
Email: [email protected] .

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Long Island Sound
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

    On March 16, 2022, the Mystic Chamber of Commerce notified the 
Coast Guard that it will be conducting a fireworks display to 
commemorate the Mystic Seaport Bridge 100th Anniversary from 7:45 p.m. 
to 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022, with a rain date scheduled 
from 7:45 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2022. The fireworks 
are to be launched from a barge in the Mystic River approximately 200 
yards west of the Mystic River Boathouse Park, Mystic, CT. Hazards from 
fireworks displays include accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous 
projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris.
    In response, on August 3, 2022, the Coast Guard published a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled Safety Zone; Mystic River, Mystic, 
CT (87 FR 47381). There we stated why we issued the NPRM, and invited 
comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this fireworks 
display. During the comment period that ended September 2, 2022; we 
received 0 comments.
    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. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest 
because immediate action is needed to to facilitate the safety of the 
persons and vessels involved in the fireworks display.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Long Island 
Sound (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the 
fireworks to be used in this October 15, 2022 display will be a safety 
concern for anyone within a 200-yard radius of the barge. This rule is 
needed to ensure safety of vessels and the navigable waters in the 
safety zone before, during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM published 
August 3, 2022. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this 
rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone from 7:45 p.m. through 9:30 
p.m. on Saturday, October 15, 2022 with a rain date scheduled from 7:45 
p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on Sunday October 16, 2022. The safety zone will 
cover all navigable waters within 200 yards of a barge in the Mystic 
River located approximately 200 yards west of the Mystic River 
Boathouse Park, Mystic, CT. The duration of the zone is intended to 
ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable waters before, during, 
and after the scheduled 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. fireworks display. All persons 
or vessels would be prohibited from entering the safety zone without 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative.

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. 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. Due to the size of the fall-
out zone, vessel traffic will be impeded throughout the duration of the 
fireworks display.

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 received 0 comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. 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

[[Page 62312]]

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.

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, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, 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 a 
safety zone lasting one hour and 45 minutes that would prohibit entry 
within 200 yards of a fireworks barge. 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. 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 call or email 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; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-
6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T151-0354 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T151-0354  Safety Zone; Mystic River, Mystic, CT.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters 
within a 200 yard radius of the fireworks barge located at 
41[deg]21'54'' N, 71[deg]57'59'' W.
    (b) 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.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by (203) 468-4444. 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.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7:45 
p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on October 15, 2022 with a rain date scheduledon 
October 16, 2022.

    Dated: October 11, 2022.
E.J. Van Camp,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Long Island Sound.
[FR Doc. 2022-22395 Filed 10-13-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P