Document ID: USCG-2022-0138-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Savannah River 4th of July Fireworks Show, Savannah, GA
Posted Date: 2022-06-30T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 125 (Thursday, June 30, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 38991-38993]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14021]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0138]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Savannah River 4th of July Fireworks Show, Savannah, 
GA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters of the Savannah River around Savannah, GA for a July 
4th Fireworks event. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by 
fallout from the July 4th Fireworks display. Entry of vessels or 
persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by 
the Captain of the Port (COTP) Savannah or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 p.m. through 11 p.m., on July 4, 
2022.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2022-0138 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 LT Alex McConnell, of the Marine Safety Unit Savannah 
Office of Waterways Management, Coast Guard, at telephone 912-652-4353, 
extension 240, or via email at [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. Doing so would be impracticable and contrary 
to the public interest. Prompt action is needed to respond to the 
potential safety hazards associated with a fireworks display on the 
Savannah River, adjacent to a major shipping channel. The primary 
justification for this action is that the Coast Guard received initial 
notice of the event on June 1, 2022 regarding the event beginning on 
July 4, 2022, and was further delayed in processing this temporary rule 
due to technical problems related to conducting the environmental 
review. The event would begin before the rulemaking process would be 
completed. Therefore, the Coast Guard lacks sufficient time to provide 
a reasonable comment period and then consider those comments before 
issuing the rule. It would be impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest to delay promulgating this rule, as it is necessary to protect 
the safety of participants, spectators, and vessels transiting near the 
fireworks display.
    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 a fireworks 
display adjacent to a major shipping channel.

[[Page 38992]]

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034. The Captain of the Port Savannah (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with a fireworks display on the Savannah 
River, near downtown Savannah, starting July 4, 2022 from 9 p.m. to 11 
p.m. will be a safety concern for anyone within the area. This rule is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
navigable waters within the safety zone during the July 4th Fireworks 
display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 9 p.m. through 11 p.m. on 
July 4, 2022. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters in the 
Savannah River adjacent to downtown Savannah. The safety zone is needed 
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created by fallout from the July 4th Fireworks 
display. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone 
without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, 
or remain within the safety zone is granted by the COTP or a designated 
representative, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization 
must comply with the instructions of 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 following 
reasons: (1) the safety zone only being enforced for a total of two 
hours; (2) although persons and vessels may not enter, transit through, 
anchor in, or remain within the zone without authorization from the 
COTP or a designated representative, they may operate in the 
surrounding area during the enforcement period; (3) persons and vessels 
may still enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the areas 
during the enforcement period if authorized by the COTP or a designated 
representative.

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 
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 only two hours that will prohibit entry within 
certain navigable waters of the Savannah 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

[[Page 38993]]

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. 0170.1. 
Revision No. 01.2.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T07-0138 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0138  Safety Zone; 4th of July Fireworks Show, Savannah 
River, Savannah, GA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Savannah River, from surface to bottom, bounded by a line drawn 
from a point located at 32[deg]05'04'' N, 081[deg]05'46'' W, thence to 
32[deg]05'10'' N, 081[deg]05'39'' W, thence to 32[deg]05'04'' N, 
081[deg]05'30'' W, thence to 32[deg]04'57'' N, 081[deg]05'34'' W.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, 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 Savannah (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) Persons or vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the safety zone may contact COTP Savannah by 
telephone at (912) 247-0073, or a designated representative via VHF 
radio on channel 16, to request authorization. If authorization to 
enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the regulated area 
is granted by the COTP Savannah or a designated representative, all 
persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with the 
instructions of the COTP or a designated representative.
    (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated areas by 
Broadcast Notice to Mariners, Marine Safety Information Bulletins, and 
on-scene designated representatives.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 9 p.m. 
until 11 p.m., on July 4, 2022.

    Dated: June 27, 2022.
M.E. Keating,
Lieutanant Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port 
Savannah.
[FR Doc. 2022-14021 Filed 6-29-22; 8:45 am]
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