Document ID: USCG-2014-0077-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: NPRM:  Safety Zones: Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, NC (Fefderal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2014-03-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 60 (Friday, March 28, 2014)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17486-17489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06849]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2014-0077]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone, Pasquotank River; Elizabeth City, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety 
zone on the navigable waters of the Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City, 
NC in support of the fireworks display for the Potato Festival. This 
action is necessary to protect the life and property of the maritime 
public and spectators from the hazards posed by aerial fireworks 
displays. Entry into or movement within this safety zone during the 
enforcement period is prohibited without approval of the Captain of the 
Port.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before April 28, 2014.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number using 
any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail or Delivery: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Deliveries 
accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion 
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for further instructions 
on submitting comments. To avoid duplication, please use only one of 
these three methods.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email BOSN4 Joseph M. Edge, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, 
Coast Guard; telephone 252-247-4525, email Joseph.M.Edge@uscg.mil. If 
you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 
(202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

A. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

[[Page 17487]]

1. Submitting Comments

    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. You may submit your comments and material online at 
http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but 
please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online, it 
will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully 
transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, 
it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when 
it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you 
include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a 
telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact 
you if we have questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number [USCG-2014-0077] in the ``SEARCH'' box and click 
``SEARCH.'' Click on ``Submit a Comment'' on the line associated with 
this rulemaking.
    If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and 
material received during the comment period and may change the rule 
based on your comments.

2. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number (USCG-2014-0077) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click 
``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with 
this rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in 
Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation 
West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

3. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

4. Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one, using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES. 
Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If 
we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a 
time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

B. Regulatory History and Information

    On April 24, 2013, we published a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) 
entitled ``Safety Zone, Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, NC'' in the 
Federal Register (78 FR 24071).

C. Basis and Purpose

    On May 17, 2014, the NC Potato Festival will sponsor a fireworks 
display from a barge anchored in the Pasquotank River at latitude 
36[deg]17'47'' N longitude 076[deg]12'17'' W. The fireworks debris 
fallout area will extend over the navigable waters of the Pasquotank 
River. Due to the need to protect mariners and spectators from the 
hazards associated with the fireworks display, including accidental 
discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers 
or other debris, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted from 
transiting within fireworks launch and fallout area.

D. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a safety zone on the 
navigable waters of Pasquotank River in Elizabeth City, NC. The 
regulated area of this safety zone includes all water of the Pasquotank 
River within a 300 yards radius of latitude 36[deg]17'47'' N longitude 
076[deg]12'17'' W.
    This proposed safety zone will be established and enforced from 8 
p.m. to 11 p.m. on May 17, 2014. In the interest of public safety, 
general navigation within the safety zone will be restricted during the 
specified date and times. Except for participants and vessels 
authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or his 
representative, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the 
regulated area.

E. 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 or executive orders.
1. Regulatory Planning and Review
    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 
as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or 
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and 
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. Although this regulation 
restricts access to a small segment of the Pasquotank River, the effect 
of this rule will not be significant because: (i) The safety zone will 
be in effect for a limited duration; (ii) the zone is of limited size; 
and (iii) the Coast Guard will make notifications via maritime 
advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.
2. Impact on Small Entities
    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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 will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. This proposed rule would affect 
the following entities, some of which might be small entities: The 
owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in the 
Pasquotank River where fireworks events are being held. This regulation 
will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities because it will be enforced only during the fireworks display 
event that has been permitted by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port. 
The Captain of the Port will ensure that small entities are able to 
operate in the regulated area when it is safe to do so. In some cases, 
vessels will be able to safely transit around the regulated area at 
various times, and, with the permission of the Patrol Commander, 
vessels may transit through the

[[Page 17488]]

regulated area. Before the enforcement period, the Coast Guard will 
issue maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans 
accordingly.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this 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.
3. Assistance for Small Entities
    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 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, above. 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.
4. Collection of Information
    This proposed rule will not call for a new collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520.).
5. Federalism
    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 
determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.
6. 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.
7. 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 effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.
8. Taking of Private Property
    This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.
9. Civil Justice Reform
    This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize 
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
10. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks
    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.
11. Indian Tribal Governments
    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.
12. Energy Effects
    This proposed rule is not a ``significant energy action'' under 
Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.
13. Technical Standards
    This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
14. Environment
    We have analyzed this proposed 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 (NEPA) (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 establishing a safety zone for a fireworks display launch site 
and fallout area and is expected to have no impact on the water or 
environment. This zone is designed to protect mariners and spectators 
from the hazards associated with aerial fireworks displays. This rule 
is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34 (g) of 
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A preliminary 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 proposed 
rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, and 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; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 
50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 
107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add temporary Sec.  165.T05-0077 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T05-0077  Safety Zone, Pasquotank River; Elizabeth City, NC.

    (a) Definitions. For the purposes of this section, Captain of the 
Port means the Commander, Sector North Carolina. Representative means 
any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer who has been 
authorized to act on the behalf of the Captain of the Port.
    (b) Location. The following area is a safety zone: Specified waters 
of the Captain of the Port, Sector North Carolina, as defined in 33 CFR 
3.25-20, all waters of the Pasquotank River within a 300 yard radius of 
the

[[Page 17489]]

fireworks launch barge in approximate position latitude 36[deg]17'47'' 
N longitude 076[deg]12'17'' W, located near Machelhe Island.
    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in Sec.  
165.23 of this part apply to the area described in paragraph (b) of 
this section.
    (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through any 
portion of the safety zone must first request authorization from the 
Captain of the Port, or a designated representative, unless the Captain 
of the Port previously announced via Marine Safety Radio Broadcast on 
VHF Marine Band Radio channel 22 (157.1 MHz) that this regulation will 
not be enforced in that portion of the safety zone. The Captain of the 
Port can be contacted at telephone number (910) 343-3882 or by radio on 
VHF Marine Band Radio, channels 13 and 16.
    (d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 
and enforcement of the zone by Federal, State, and local agencies.
    (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced on May 17, 
2014 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of 
the Port.

    Dated: March 18, 2014.
S.R. Murtagh,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port.
[FR Doc. 2014-06849 Filed 3-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P