Document ID: USCG-2022-0374-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Special Local Regulation and Safety Zone; Back River, Baltimore County, MD
Posted Date: 2022-05-20T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 98 (Friday, May 20, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 30846-30849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-10837]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Parts 100 and 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0374]
RIN 1625-AA08, AA00

Special Local Regulation and Safety Zone; Back River, Baltimore 
County, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish regulations for 
certain waters of the Back River. This action is necessary to provide 
for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Baltimore County, 
MD, during a fireworks display on July 16, 2022. This proposed 
rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the 
regulated area and safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Maryland-National Capital Region or a designated representative. 
We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before June 21, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2022-0374 using the Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email MST3 Melissa Kelly, U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector Maryland-National Capital Region; telephone 410-576-2596, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
PATCOM Patrol Commander
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    On February 8, 2022, Fantastic Fireworks, on behalf of Tiki Lee's 
Dock Bar, notified the Coast Guard that it will be conducting a 
fireworks display between 9 and 10 p.m. on July 16, 2022, as a part of 
the ``Shootout on the River'' event activities. The fireworks are to be 
launched from a barge in the Back River located near Tiki Lee's Dock 
Bar in Sparrows Point, MD. Hazards from firework displays include 
accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling 
hot embers or other debris. The Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated 
with the fireworks to be used in this display would be a safety concern 
for anyone within a 420 foot radius of the barge. The Coast Guard 
anticipates a large spectator fleet for these events.
    The purpose of this rulemaking is to promote maritime safety and 
protect participants and the boating public in the Back River 
immediately prior to, during, and after the scheduled events. The 
regulations will provide for controlled passage of spectating vessels 
and a safety buffer around the fireworks barge for the benefit of 
participants and spectators. The regulations will impact the movement 
of all vessels operating in specified waters of the Back River. The 
Coast Guard is proposing this rulemaking under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region is proposing to establish 
temporary regulations (special local regulation and safety zone) from 8 
p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 16, 2022.
    The COTP is proposing to establish a special local regulation for 
the area in the Back River in which spectating vessels will transit and 
gather. The regulated area would cover all navigable waters of Back 
River within an area bounded by a line connecting the following points: 
From the shoreline at Lynch Point at latitude 39[deg]14'46'' N, 
longitude 076[deg]26'23'' W, thence northeast to Porter Point at 
latitude 39[deg]15'13'' N, longitude 076[deg]26'11'' W, thence north 
along the shoreline to Walnut Point at latitude 39[deg]17'06'' N, 
longitude 076[deg]27'04'' W, thence southwest to the shoreline at 
latitude 39[deg]16'41'' N, longitude 076[deg]27'31'' W, thence south 
along the shoreline to the point of origin, located in Baltimore 
County, MD. The regulated area is approximately 4,200 yards in length 
and 1,200 yards in width.
    In addition to establishing a special local regulation, the COTP is 
proposing to establish a temporary safety zone around the fireworks 
discharge site, in approximate position latitude 39[deg]15'35.54'' N, 
longitude 76[deg]26'56.62'' W. The safety zone would cover all 
navigable waters within 420 feet of a fireworks barge in the Back River 
located near Tiki Lee's Dock Bar in Sparrow's Point, MD. The duration 
of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these 
navigable waters before, during, and after the scheduled fireworks 
display. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety 
zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative.
    The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this 
document.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed 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 NPRM has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
duration, and time-of-day of the special local regulation

[[Page 30847]]

and safety zone, which would impact a small designated area of the Back 
River for a total no more than 2.5 enforcement-hours, during the 
evening when vessel traffic is normally low. Moreover, the Coast Guard 
will issue Local Notices to Mariners and a Broadcast Notice to Mariners 
via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zones.

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 
proposed rule would 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.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule 
would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment 
(see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to 
what degree this rule would economically affect it.
    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 proposed 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. The Coast Guard will not 
retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this 
proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments) because it would 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 proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please call or email the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the potential effects of 
this proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed 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 made 
a preliminary determination 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 proposed rule involves 
implementation of regulations within 33 CFR part 100 applicable to 
organized marine events on the navigable waters of the United States 
that could negatively impact the safety of waterway users and shore 
side activities in the event area, and within 33 CFR part 165 
establishing a temporary safety zone that would prohibit entry within 
420 feet of a fireworks barge, both lasting a total of 2.5 consecutive 
hours. Normally such actions are 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 preliminary 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. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the 
discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed 
rule.

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.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments through 
the Federal Decision Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. To 
do so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2022-0374 in the 
search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the 
Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment 
option. If you cannot submit your material by using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate 
instructions.
    Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this 
proposed rule as being available in the docket, find the docket as 
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting & 
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will 
also be placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following 
instructions on the https://www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked

[[Page 30848]]

Questions web page. We review all comments received, but we will only 
post comments that address the topic of the proposed rule. We may 
choose not to post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that 
we receive.
    Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we 
post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal 
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions 
to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking 
System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).

List of Subjects

33 CFR Part 100

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

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 is 
proposing to amend 33 CFR parts 100 and 165 as follows:

PART 100--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05-1.

0
2. Add Sec.  100.501T05-0374 to read as follows:

Sec.  100.501T05-0374  2022 Tiki Lee's Shootout on the River Fireworks, 
Back River, Baltimore County, MD.

    (a) Locations. All coordinates are based on datum NAD 1983.
    (1) Regulated area. All navigable waters of Back River, within an 
area bounded by a line connecting the following points: From the 
shoreline at Lynch Point at latitude 39[deg]14'46'' N, longitude 
076[deg]26'23'' W, thence northeast to Porter Point at latitude 
39[deg]15'13'' N, longitude 076[deg]26'11'' W, thence north along the 
shoreline to Walnut Point at latitude 39[deg]17'06'' N, longitude 
076[deg]27'04'' W, thence southwest to the shoreline at latitude 
39[deg]16'41'' N, longitude 076[deg]27'31'' W, thence south along the 
shoreline to and terminating at the point of origin.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
    Captain of the Port (COTP) Maryland-National Capital Region means 
the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region 
or any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been 
authorized by the COTP to act on his behalf.
    Event Patrol Commander or Event PATCOM means a commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard who has been 
designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
    Official patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by Commander, 
Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region with a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast 
Guard ensign.
    Participant means a person or vessel registered with the event 
sponsor as participating in the ``2022 Tiki Lee's Shootout on the River 
Fireworks'' event, or otherwise designated by the event sponsor as 
having a function tied to the event.
    Spectator means a person or vessel not registered with the event 
sponsor as participants or assigned as official patrols.
    (c) Special local regulations. (1) The COTP Maryland-National 
Capital Region or Event PATCOM may forbid and control the movement of 
all vessels and persons, including event participants, in the regulated 
area described in paragraph (a)(1) of this section. When hailed or 
signaled by an official patrol, a vessel or person in the regulated 
area shall immediately comply with the directions given by the patrol. 
Failure to do so may result in the Coast Guard expelling the person or 
vessel from the area, issuing a citation for failure to comply, or 
both. The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or Event PATCOM may 
terminate the event, or a participant's operations at any time the COTP 
Maryland-National Capital Region or Event PATCOM believes it necessary 
to do so for the protection of life or property.
    (2) Except for participants and vessels already at berth, a person 
or vessel within the regulated area at the start of enforcement of this 
section must immediately depart the regulated area.
    (3) A spectator must contact the Event PATCOM to request permission 
to either enter or pass through the regulated area. The Event PATCOM 
and official patrol vessels enforcing this regulated area can be 
contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and 
channel 22A (157.1 MHz). If permission is granted, the spectator must 
enter a designated spectator area or pass directly through the 
regulated area as instructed by Event PATCOM. A vessel within the 
regulated area must operate at safe speed that minimizes wake. A 
spectator vessel must not loiter within the navigable channel while 
within the regulated area.
    (4) A person or vessel that desires to transit, moor, or anchor 
within the regulated area must obtain authorization from the COTP 
Maryland-National Capital Region or Event PATCOM. A person or vessel 
seeking such permission can contact the COTP Maryland-National Capital 
Region at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM 
channel 16 (156.8 MHz) or the Event PATCOM on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM 
channel 16 (156.8 MHz).
    (5) The Coast Guard will publish a notice in the Fifth Coast Guard 
District Local Notice to Mariners and issue a marine information 
broadcast on VHF-FM marine band radio announcing specific event dates 
and times.
    (d) Enforcement officials. The Coast Guard may be assisted with 
marine event patrol and enforcement of the regulated area by other 
federal, state, and local agencies.
    (e) Enforcement periods. This section will be enforced from 8 p.m. 
to 10:30 p.m. on July 16, 2022.

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

0
3. 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
4. Add Sec.  165.T05-0374 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T05-0374  Safety Zone; Back River, Baltimore County, MD.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Back River within 420 feet of the fireworks barge in 
approximate position latitude 39[deg]15'35.54'' N, longitude 
76[deg]26'56.62'' W. These coordinates are based on 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 any Coast Guard commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Maryland-National Capital Region to assist in enforcing the safety 
zone described in paragraph (a) of this section.
    (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.

[[Page 30849]]

    (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). The Coast Guard vessels enforcing this 
section can be contacted on Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 
MHz).
    (3) 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 section will be enforced from 8 p.m. 
to 10:30 p.m. on July 16, 2022.

    Dated: May 13, 2022.
David E. O'Connell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2022-10837 Filed 5-19-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P