Document ID: USCG-2013-0259-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: FR:  Safety Zones: Pasquotank River; Elizabeth City, NC (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2013-04-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 79 (Wednesday, April 24, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24071-24073]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-09609]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2013-0259]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Pasquotank River; Elizabeth City, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable 
waters of the Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City, NC in support of the 
Fireworks display for the Potato Festival. This action is necessary to 
protect the life and property of the maritime public and spectators 
from the hazards posed by aerial fireworks displays. Entry into or 
movement within this safety zone during the enforcement period is 
prohibited without approval of the Captain of the Port.

DATES: This rule is effective on May 18, 2013 and enforced from 8 p.m. 
to 11 p.m. on May 18, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
[USCG-2013-0259]. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the 
docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also 
visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email BOSN4 Joseph M. Edge, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, 
Coast Guard; telephone 252-247-4525, email Joseph.M.Edge@uscg.mil. If 
you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 
(202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

A. Regulatory History and Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final rule without prior 
notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 
4(a) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This 
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 the final details for this event were 
not provided to the Coast Guard until April 10, 2013. As such, it is 
impracticable to provide a full comment period due to lack of time. 
Delaying the effective date for comment would be contrary to the public 
interest, since immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of the 
event participants, patrol vessels, spectator craft and other vessels 
transiting the event area. The Coast Guard will provide advance

[[Page 24072]]

notifications to users of the effected waterways of the safety zone via 
marine information broadcasts, local notice to mariners, commercial 
radio stations and area newspapers.

B. Basis and Purpose

    On May 18, 2013, the NC Potato Festival will sponsor a fireworks 
display from a barge anchored in the Pasquotank River at latitude 
36[deg]17'47'' N longitude 076[deg]12'17'' W. The fireworks debris 
fallout area will extend over the navigable waters of Cape Fear River. 
Due to the need to protect mariners and spectators from the hazards 
associated with the fireworks display, including accidental discharge 
of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other 
debris, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted from transiting 
within fireworks launch and fallout area.

C. Discussion of the Final Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the navigable 
waters of Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City, NC. The regulated area of 
this safety zone includes all water of the Pasquotank River within a 
300 yards radius of latitude 36[deg]17'47'' N longitude 076[deg]12'17'' 
W.
    This safety zone will be established and enforced from 8 p.m. to 11 
p.m. on May 18, 2013. In the interest of public safety, general 
navigation within the safety zone will be restricted during the 
specified date and times. Except for participants and vessels 
authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or his 
representative, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the 
regulated area.

D. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on these statutes and executive orders.

1. Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or 
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and 
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. Although this regulation 
restricts access to a small segment of the Pasquotank River, the effect 
of this rule will not be significant because: (i) The safety zone will 
be in effect for a limited duration; (ii) the zone is of limited size; 
and (iii) the Coast Guard will make notifications via maritime 
advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. Impact on 
Small Entities

2. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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. This rule would affect the following entities, some of 
which might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels 
intending to transit or anchor in the Pasquotank River where fireworks 
events are being held. This regulation will not have a significant 
impact on a substantial number of small entities because it will be 
enforced only during the fireworks display event that has been 
permitted by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port. The Captain of the 
Port will ensure that small entities are able to operate in the 
regulated area when it is safe to do so. In some cases, vessels will be 
able to safely transit around the regulated area at various times, and, 
with the permission of the Patrol Commander, vessels may transit 
through the regulated area. Before the enforcement period, the Coast 
Guard will issue maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans 
accordingly.

3. 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. 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, 
above.
    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.

4. 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).

5. Federalism

    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 determined 
that this rule does not have implications for federalism.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

9. Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to

[[Page 24073]]

minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

10. 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 does not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

11. 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.

12. Energy Effects

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' under Executive 
Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

13. Technical Standards

    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

14. 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 (NEPA)(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 establishing a safety zone for a 
fireworks display launch site and fallout area and is expected to have 
no impact on the water or environment. This zone is designed to protect 
mariners and spectators from the hazards associated with aerial 
fireworks displays. This rule is categorically excluded from further 
review under paragraph 34 (g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant 
Instruction. An environmental analysis checklist supporting this 
determination and a Categorical Exclusion Determination are 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 rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, and 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; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 
50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 
107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add temporary Sec.  165.T05-0259 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T05-0259   Safety Zone; Pasquotank River; Elizabeth City, NC.

    (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, Captain of the 
Port means the Commander, Sector North Carolina.
    Representative means any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or 
petty officer who has been authorized to act on the behalf of the 
Captain of the Port.
    (b) Location. The following area is a safety zone: Specified waters 
of the Captain of the Port, Sector North Carolina, as defined in 33 CFR 
3.25-20, all waters of the Pasquotank River within a 300 yard radius of 
the fireworks launch barge in approximate position latitude 
36[deg]17'47'' N longitude 076[deg]12'17'', located near Machelhe 
Island.
    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in Sec.  
165.23 of this part apply to the area described in paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through any 
portion of the safety zone must first request authorization from the 
Captain of the Port, or a designated representative, unless the Captain 
of the Port previously announced via Marine Safety Radio Broadcast on 
VHF Marine Band Radio channel 22 (157.1 MHz) that this regulation will 
not be enforced in that portion of the safety zone. The Captain of the 
Port can be contacted at telephone number (910) 343-3882 or by radio on 
VHF Marine Band Radio, channels 13 and 16.
    (d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 
and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.
    (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced on May 18, 
2013 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of 
the Port.

    Dated: April 12, 2013.
A. Popiel,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Sector North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 2013-09609 Filed 4-23-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P