Document ID: USCG-2016-0912-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Allegheny River, Ohio River, Monongahela River, Pittsburgh, PA
Posted Date: 2016-10-03T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 191 (Monday, October 3, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 67911-67913]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23783]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0912]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Allegheny River, Ohio River, Monongahela River, 
Pittsburgh, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
the University of Pittsburgh Fireworks show, Pittsburgh, PA. The safety 
zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created from a barge-based fireworks 
display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited 
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh.

DATES: This rule is effective from 10 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on October 
1, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0912 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 Charles Morris, Marine Safety Unit 
Pittsburgh, U.S. Coast Guard; at telephone 412-221-0807, email 
Charles.F.Morris@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

    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 the event sponsor submitted event 
application on September 21, 2016. After receiving and fully reviewing 
the event information, circumstances, and exact location, the Coast 
Guard determined that delaying this regulation's effective date for 
comment would be contrary to the public interest since a safety zone is 
necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment 
from potential hazards created from a barge-based fireworks display on 
the navigable waterway. It would be impracticable to complete the full 
NPRM process for this safety zone because it needs to be established by 
October 1, 2016. The fireworks display has been advertised and the 
local community has prepared for the event.
    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. Delaying this rule 
would be contrary to public interest of ensuring the safety of 
spectators and vessels during the event. Immediate action is necessary 
to prevent possible loss of life and property during the hazards 
created by a barge-based fireworks display near and over the navigable 
waterway.

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 Pittsburgh (COTP) has determined that a 
safety zone is needed on October 1, 2016. This rule is needed to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential 
hazards created from a barge-based fireworks display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on 
October 1, 2016. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters on the 
Allegheny River mile 0.0-0.25, Ohio River mile 0.0-0.1, Monongahela 
River mile 0.0-0.1. The duration of the safety zone is intended to 
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential 
hazards created from a barge-based firework 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

[[Page 67912]]

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.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. This safety zone impacts a 
small portion of the waterway for a limited duration of one hour in the 
evening. Vessel traffic will be informed about the safety zone through 
local notices to mariners. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue 
broadcast notices to mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the 
zone and the rule allows vessels to seek permission to transit 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 
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.
    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 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 
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 will prohibit entry 
to the Allegheny River mile 0.0-0.25, Ohio River mile 0.0-0.1, 
Monongahela River mile 0.0-0.1 during the barge-based firework event. 
It 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.

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.T08-0912 to read as follows:

[[Page 67913]]

Sec.  165.T08-0912  Safety Zone; Allegheny River, Ohio River and 
Monogahela River, Pittsburgh, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: Pittsburgh 
Steelers Fireworks; Allegheny River mile 0.0-0.25, Ohio River mile 0.0-
0.1, Monongahela River mile 0.0-0.1, Pittsburgh, PA
    (b) Enforcement. This safety zone described in (a) above will be 
enforced from 10 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on October 1, 2016.
    (c) 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 Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated 
representative.
    (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the 
zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. The COTP representative may be contacted at 412-221-
0807.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or their designated representative. Designated COTP 
representatives include United States Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, and petty officers.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public through broadcast notices to mariners of the 
enforcement period for the safety zone as well as any changes in the 
dates and times of enforcement.

L. McClain, Jr.,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2016-23783 Filed 9-30-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P