Document ID: USCG-2017-0331-0003
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Thunder on the Outer Harbor; Buffalo Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY
Posted Date: 2017-07-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 126 (Monday, July 3, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30745-30747]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13977]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0331]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Thunder on the Outer Harbor; Buffalo Outer Harbor, 
Buffalo, NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Buffalo Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY. This safety zone is intended to 
restrict vessels from a portion of the Buffalo Outer Harbor during the 
Thunder on the Outer Harbor boat races. This temporary safety zone is 
necessary to protect mariners and vessels from the navigational hazards 
associated with high speed boat races.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9:45 a.m. on July 22, 2017 until 
4:15 p.m. on July 23, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0331 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 on this rule, 
call or email LT Michael Collet, Chief of Waterways Management, U.S. 
Coast Guard Sector Buffalo; telephone 716-843-9322, email 
SectorBuffaloMarineSafety@uscg.mil.

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

    On May 11, 2017, the Coast Guard published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM) titled Thunder on the Outer Harbor; Buffalo Outer 
Harbor, Buffalo, NY Sec.  165.T09-0331. There we stated why we issued 
the NPRM, and invited comments on our proposed regulatory action 
related to this high speed boat race. The comment period ended June 16, 
2017; we received no comments.
    We are issuing this rule, and under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast 
Guard finds that good cause exists for making it effective less than 30 
days after publication in the Federal Register because doing so would 
be impracticable and contrary to the public interest. Delaying the 
effective date would be contrary to the rule's objectives of ensuring 
safety of life on the navigable waters and protection of persons and 
vessels near the event. The event has been publicized in the local 
media and previously in the Federal Register through issuance of the 
NPRM; the public does not need time to make preparations for this rule 
to go into effect.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The Captain of the Port Buffalo (COTP) has determined that a high 
speed boat races present significant risks to public safety and 
property. Such hazards include vessels reaching high speeds in a 
relatively small area and large wake. This rule is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the safety zone while the boat races are taking place.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone on June 22 and June 23, 2017, 
from 9:45 a.m. until 4:15 p.m. daily. The safety zone will encompass 
all waters of the Buffalo Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY starting at 
position 42[deg]52'21'' N. and 078[deg]53'14'' W. then West to 
42[deg]52'15'' N. and 078[deg]53'32'' W. then South to

[[Page 30746]]

42[deg]51'41'' N. and 078[deg]53'02'' W. then East to 42[deg]51'46'' N. 
and 078[deg]52'45'' W. (NAD 83) then returning to the point of origin.
    Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the 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.

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. Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing 
rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has not been designated 
a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget.
    We conclude that this rule is not a significant regulatory action 
because we anticipate that it will have minimal impact on the economy, 
will not interfere with other agencies, will not adversely alter the 
budget of any grant or loan recipients, and will not raise any novel 
legal or policy issues. The safety zone created by this rule will be 
relatively small and is designed to minimize its impact on navigable 
waters. Furthermore, the safety zone has been designed to allow vessels 
to transit around it. In addition, the safety zone will have built in 
times to allow vessels to travel through when races are not being held. 
Thus, restrictions on vessel movement within that particular area are 
expected to be minimal. Under certain conditions, moreover, vessels may 
still transit through the safety zone when permitted by the Captain of 
the Port.

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 
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.
    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 
contact 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.

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 
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 determined that it 
is one of a category of actions that do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This 
rule establishes a safety zone. It is categorically excluded under 
section 2.B.2, figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g) of the Instruction, which 
pertains to establishment of safety zones. A Record of Environmental 
Consideration (REC) supporting this determination is available in the 
docket where indicated

[[Page 30747]]

in 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:  33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T09-0331 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T09-0331  Safety Zone; Thunder on the Outer Harbor; Buffalo 
Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY.

    (a) Location. This zone will encompass all waters of the Buffalo 
Outer Harbor, Buffalo, NY encompassed by all waters of the Outer 
Harbor, Buffalo, NY starting at position 42[deg]52'21'' N. and 
078[deg]53'14'' W. then West to 42[deg]52'15'' N. and 078[deg]53'32'' 
W. then South to 42[deg]51'41'' N. and 078[deg]53'02'' W. then East to 
42[deg]51'46'' N. and 078[deg]52'45'' W. (NAD 83) then returning to the 
point of origin.
    (b) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced from 9:45 a.m. 
until 4:15 p.m. on July 22, 2017, and July 23, 2017.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, 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.
    (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his designated on-
scene representative.
    (3) The ``on-scene representative'' of the Captain of the Port 
Buffalo is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who 
has been designated by the Captain of the Port Buffalo to act on his 
behalf.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone must contact the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his on-scene 
representative to obtain permission to do so. The Captain of the Port 
Buffalo or his on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 
16. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the safety 
zone must comply with all directions given to them by the Captain of 
the Port Buffalo, or his on-scene representative.

    Dated: June 28, 2017.
J.S. Dufresne,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Buffalo.
[FR Doc. 2017-13977 Filed 6-30-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P