Document ID: USCG-2017-0731-0003
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone; Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA
Posted Date: 2017-09-21T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 182 (Thursday, September 21, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44077-44079]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-20109]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0731]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone; Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all navigable waters on the Mississippi River between mile marker (MM) 
96.0 and MM 96.5. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of 
life on these navigable waters near New Orleans, LA, during a fireworks 
display. Entry of vessels or persons into this safety zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New 
Orleans (COTP) or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:50 p.m. to 8:50 p.m. on October 
28, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0731 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 about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Howard 
Vacco, Sector New Orleans, U.S. Coast Guard; at (504) 365-2281, email 
Howard.K.Vacco@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans
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 preceded this final rule with a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (NPRM). The NPRM was published in the Federal Register on 
August 23, 2017, (82 FR 39972). We invited comments on our proposed 
regulatory action related to work on power lines extending over the 
Mississippi River in New Orleans, LA. The NPRM listed dates and times 
of enforcement of the safety zone. During the comment period that ended 
September 7, 2017, we received one comment.

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 New Orleans (COTP) has determined 
that potential hazards associated with the fireworks display from 7:50 
p.m. to 8:50 p.m. on October 28, 2017 will present a safety concern for 
all navigable waters on the Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 
96.0 and MM 96.5. The purpose of this rule is to ensure safety of life 
and vessels on the navigable waters in the safety zone before, during, 
and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    During the comment period, one comment was received. The commenter 
made a general statement that he or she was against ``safe spaces''. 
The commenter did not indicate if he or she was against the proposed 
safety zone or the reasons for it. There are no changes in the 
regulatory text of this rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    The rule establishes a safety zone from 7:50 p.m. through 8:50 p.m. 
on October 28, 2017. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters 
between MM 96.0 and 96.5 on the Mississippi River in New Orleans, LA. 
The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of life and 
vessels on these navigable waters before, during, and after the 
scheduled fireworks display. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited 
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 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

[[Page 44078]]

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-year of the safety zone. This safety 
zone will be enforced for a period of one hour on one day on one half 
of one mile of navigable waters. Vessel traffic will be able to safely 
navigate through the affected area before and after the scheduled 
event. Entry into the safety zones established through this rulemaking 
may be requested from the COTP or a designated representative and will 
be considered on a case-by-case.

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 received no comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. 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.

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 
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 on one day extending one 
half of one mile that will prohibit entry on all navigable waters of 
the Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 96.0 and MM 96.5. It is 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of 
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A Record of Environmental 
Consideration 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

    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.T08-0731 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T08-0731   Safety Zone; Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Mississippi River between mile marker (MM) 96.0 and MM 
96.5.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 7:50 p.m. 
through 8:50 p.m. on October 28, 2017.
    (c) Definitions. As used in this section, a designated 
representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. 
Coast Guard assigned to Sector New Orleans, U.S. Coast Guard.
    (d) 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

[[Page 44079]]

Sector New Orleans (COTP) or designated representative.
    (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.
    (e) 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: September 15, 2017.
Wayne R. Arguin,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New Orleans.
[FR Doc. 2017-20109 Filed 9-20-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P