Document ID: USCG-2018-0444-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX
Posted Date: 2018-05-24T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24026-24028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11110]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0444]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, 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 of Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX. This 
safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards associated with firework displays. 
Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:45 p.m. on May 25, 2018, through 
9:45 p.m. on September 2, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0444 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 Petty Officer Kevin Kyles, Sector Corpus Christi 
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-939-
5125, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi
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)(3)(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 would be impracticable. 
This safety zone must be established by May 25, 2018 and we lack 
sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then 
consider those comments before issuing this rule. The NPRM process 
would delay the establishment of the safety zone until after the 
scheduled date of the fireworks and compromise public safety.
    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 necessary to ensure the safety of vessels, 
persons, and marine environment during the fireworks display.

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 Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has 
determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks display 
occurring on May 25, 2018 through September 2, 2018 will be a safety 
concern for anyone within a 1000-foot radius of the fireworks display. 
This rule is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment before, during, and after the scheduled firework displays.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 8:45 p.m. on May 25, 2018 
through 9:45 p.m. on September 2, 2018. It will be enforced from 8:45 
p.m. through 9:45 p.m. each day on May 25, 27; June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 
21, 22, 28, 29; July 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27; August 2, 3, 9, 
10, 17,

[[Page 24027]]

24, 31; and September 2, 2018. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters within 1000 feet of the fireworks barge located in the 
approximate position 026[deg]06'19'' N, 097[deg]10'55.4'' W, in South 
Padre Island, TX. The duration of the zone is intended to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment before, during, and 
after the scheduled firework displays.
    Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a 
designated representative. No vessel or person will be permitted to 
enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a 
designated representative. A designated representative is a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector Corpus 
Christi. All persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone 
must transit at the slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative. 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 (BNMs), Local Notices to Mariners (LNMs), and/or 
Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate.

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 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. 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), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. Vessel traffic 
will be able to safely transit around this safety zone, which will 
impact a small designated area of Laguna Madre for about 1 hour during 
evenings when vessel traffic is normally low. Moreover, the Coast Guard 
will issue a BNMs via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the 
rule allows vessels to seek 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 
IV.A above, this proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 that would prohibit entry within 500 
feet of the fireworks launch location. 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. 01. A Record of 
Environmental Consideration

[[Page 24028]]

supporting this determination is available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES.

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.T08-0444 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0444   Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of Laguna Madre encompassing a 1000-foot radius around a 
fireworks display barge in the approximate position of 026[deg]06'19'' 
N, 097[deg]10'55.4'' W, in South Padre Island, TX.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 8:45 p.m. to 
9:45 p.m. from May 25, 2018, through September 2, 2018.
    (c) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8:45 
p.m. through 9:45 p.m. each day on May 25, 27; June 1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 
21, 22, 28, 29; July 4, 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26, 27; August 2, 3, 9, 
10, 17, 24, 31; and September 2, 2018.
    (d) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) or a 
designated representative. A designated representative is a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector Corpus 
Christi.
    (2) Persons or vessels seeking to enter the safety zone must 
request permission from the COTP or a designated representative on VHF-
FM channel 16 or by telephone at 361-939-0450.
    (3) All persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone 
must transit at the slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (e) 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 (BNMs), Local Notices 
to Mariners (LNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) 
as appropriate.

    Dated: May 18, 2018.
E.J. Gaynor,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2018-11110 Filed 5-23-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P