Document ID: USCG-2022-0733-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Potomac River, National Harbor, MD
Posted Date: 2022-08-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 165 (Friday, August 26, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 52465-52467]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-18400]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0733]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Potomac River, National Harbor, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain waters of the Potomac River. This action is necessary to 
provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters of the Potomac 
River at National Harbor, MD, on September 3, 2022 (with alternate date 
of September 4, 2022), from potential hazards during a fireworks 
display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Maryland-
National Capital Region or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:30 p.m. on September 3, 2022, 
through 11 p.m. on September 4, 2022. This rule will be enforced from 
8:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. on September 3, 2022, or in the event of 
inclement weather on September 3, 2022, those same hours on September 
4, 2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2022-0733 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type

[[Page 52466]]

column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email MST2 Courtney Perry, Sector Maryland-National Capital 
Region Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 410-
576-2596, 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 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 we must take immediate action to 
establish this safety zone by September 3, 2022, to respond to 
potential safety hazards associated with the fireworks display. 
Potential safety hazards include the accidental discharge of fireworks, 
dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris. The 
determination that a safety zone was necessary was not made until 
August 19, 2022.
    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 because immediate action is needed to 
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with 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, Maryland-
National Capital Region (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the fireworks to be used in this September 3, 2022, 
display will be a safety concern for anyone near these fireworks 
discharge sites. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and 
the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone 
before, during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 8:30 p.m. until 11 p.m. on 
September 3, 2022. The zone will be enforced from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. 
on September 3, 2022 or, if necessary due to inclement weather, from 
8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 4, 2022. The safety zone will cover 
all navigable waters within 500 feet of a barge in the Potomac River 
located in approximate position latitude 38[deg]47'01.60'' N, longitude 
077[deg]01'17.66'' W, at National Harbor, MD. The duration of the zone 
is intended to ensure safety of vessels and these navigable waters 
before, during, and after the scheduled 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. fireworks 
display. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone 
without obtaining 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 size, duration, 
and time-of-day of the safety zone, which will impact a small 
designated area of the Potomac River for a total of no more than 2.5 
hours of total enforcement-hours during the evening when vessel traffic 
is normally low. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Local Notice to 
Mariners and a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 
16 about the safety 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

[[Page 52467]]

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 26.5 hours that will prohibit entry within 500 feet 
of a barge within a portion of the Potomac River. 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 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.T05-0733 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T05-0733  Safety Zone; Potomac River, National Harbor, MD.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Potomac River, within 500 feet of a fireworks barge in approximate 
position latitude 38[deg]47'01.60'' N, longitude 077[deg]01'17.66'' W, 
at National Harbor, MD. These coordinates are based on datum North 
American Datum (NAD) 1983.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
    Captain of the Port (COTP) means the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector Maryland-National Capital Region.
    Designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, 
including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer 
operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer 
designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.
    (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.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
representative by telephone at 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio 
VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). 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 period. This safety zone will be enforced from 8:30 
p.m. to 11 p.m. on September 3, 2022. If necessary due to inclement 
weather on September 3, 2022, it will be enforced from 8:30 p.m. to 11 
p.m. on September 4, 2022.

    Dated: August 22, 2022.
David E. O'Connell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2022-18400 Filed 8-25-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P