Document ID: USCG-2017-0578-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, LA
Posted Date: 2017-07-05T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 127 (Wednesday, July 5, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30969-30971]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-14028]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0578]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, LA

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 within one-half mile of a barge positioned in the 
Tchefuncte River, in the vicinity of Madisonville, LA. The safety zone 
is needed to protect persons, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created by a barge-based fireworks display. Entry of 
vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the Captain of the Port New Orleans or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 p.m. through 9 p.m. on July 4, 
2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0578 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 Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Howard Vacco, Sector New 
Orleans, at (504) 365-2281 or Howard.k.vacco@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

[[Page 30970]]

``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 it is impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must 
establish this safety zone by July 4, 2017 and we lack sufficient time 
to provide a reasonable comment period and then consider those comments 
before issuing the rule. It is also contrary to the public interest as 
it would delay the safety measures necessary to protect life and 
property from the possible hazards associated with the fireworks 
display launched from the waterway. The impacts on navigation are 
expected to be minimal as the safety zone will only be in effect for a 
short duration of one hour. The Coast Guard will notify the public and 
maritime community that the safety zone will be in effect and of its 
enforcement periods via Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) and Marine 
Safety Information Bulletin (MSIB).
    We are issuing this rule, and 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 to provide a full 30 days' notice is contrary to public 
interest because immediate action is needed to protect persons and 
vessels from safety hazards associated with the fireworks display over 
this 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 New Orleans (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards, associated with a fireworks display from 8 p.m. to 9 
p.m. on July 4, 2017, will be a safety concern for persons and vessels 
within a one-half mile radius of the launch point barge at 
approximately 30[deg]24'11.63'' N., 090[deg]09'17.39'' W. This rule is 
needed to protect persons, vessels, and the marine environment in the 
navigable waters within the safety zone while the display takes place.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 
4, 2017. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within a one-
half mile radius of a fireworks barge anchored in the river at 
approximately 30[deg]24'11.63'' N., 090[deg]09'17.39'' W. The duration 
of the safety zone is intended to protect persons, vessels, and the 
marine environment from the hazards associated with a 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. 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, duration, and time-of-year of the safety zone. This safety 
zone will impact a small designated area of the Tchefuncte River for 
one hour. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners via VHF-FM 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 
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

[[Page 30971]]

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 
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 establishing a temporary safety zone lasting one hour 
that will prohibit entry within a one-half mile radius of a fireworks 
barge on the Tchefuncte River at approximately 30[deg]24'11.63'' N. 
090[deg]09'17.39'' W. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A 
Record of Environmental Considerations (REC) 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

    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.T08-0578 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0578  Safety Zones; Tchefuncte River; Madisonville, LA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Tchefuncte River, Madisonville, LA within a one-half mile 
radius of a barge anchored at approximately 30[deg]24'11.63'' N. 
090[deg]09'17.39'' W.
    (b) Effective period. This rule is effective on July 4, 2017, from 
8 p.m. through 9 p.m.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port New Orleans (COTP) 
or 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 U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector New Orleans.
    (2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be 
contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners of any 
changes in the planned schedule.

    Dated: June 28, 2017.
W.R. Arguin,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New Orleans
[FR Doc. 2017-14028 Filed 7-3-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P