Document ID: USCG-2019-0372-0003
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Safety Zone: Fourth of July Fireworks Patriots Point, Charleston, SC
Posted Date: 2019-06-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 125 (Friday, June 28, 2019)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30898-30900]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-13769]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2019-0372]
RIN 1625-AA00

Safety Zone, Fourth of July Fireworks Patriots Point, Charleston, 
SC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain navigable waters of the Cooper River at Patriot's Point in 
Charleston, SC. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of 
the general public, spectators, vessels, and the marine environment 
from potential hazards during a fireworks display. This rulemaking will 
prohibit persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, 
anchoring in, or remaining within the safety zone unless authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Charleston or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on July 4, 
2019.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2019-0372 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 Chad Ray, Sector Charleston Office of 
Waterways Management, Coast Guard; telephone (843) 740-3184, email 
Chad.L.Ray@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

    On April 10, 2019, the Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum 
notified the Coast Guard that it would be conducting a fireworks 
display from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 4, 2019. The fireworks will be 
launched from a barge along the bank of the Cooper River at Patriot's 
Point in Charleston, SC. Hazards from fireworks displays include 
accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling 
hot embers or other debris. In response to their request, on June 4, 
2019, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
titled ``Safety Zone; Fourth of July Fireworks Patriots Point, 
Charleston, SC'' (84 FR 25723). There we stated why we issued the NPRM, 
and invited comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this 
fireworks display. During the comment period that ended June 19, 2019, 
we received no comments.
    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 of 
this rule would be contrary to public interest because we must 
establish this safety zone by July 4, 2019 to ensure the protection of 
the general public from the dangers associated with the event.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70041 (previously U.S.C. 1231) The COTP Charleston has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the fireworks display will be a 
safety concern for anyone within 500-yards of the barge from which 
fireworks will be launched. The purpose of the rule is to ensure the 
safety of participants, spectators, the general public, vessels and the 
navigable waters in the safety zone before, during and after the 
scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM that published 
on June 4, 2019. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this 
rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone from 7:45 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. on 
July 4, 2019. The safety zone will cover certain navigable waters 
within 500 yards of the fireworks barge located at Patriot's Point on 
the Cooper River in Charleston, SC. The duration of the zone is 
intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable waters 
before, during, and after the scheduled 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. fireworks 
display. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter, transit 
through, anchor in or remain within the safety zone without obtaining 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. If 
authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within 
the safety zone is granted by the COTP or a designated representative, 
all persons and vessels receiving such authorization must comply with 
the instructions of the COTP or a designated representative. The Coast 
Guard will provide notice of the safety zone by Local Notice to 
Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or by on-scene designated 
representatives.

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 not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt

[[Page 30899]]

from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone: The safety zone 
will only be enforced for an hour and a half, and although persons and 
vessels may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the 
safety zone without authorization from the Captain of the Port 
Charleston or a designated representative, vessel traffic will be able 
to safely operate in the surrounding area during the enforcement period 
and the rule would allow vessels to seek permission to enter the zone. 
Moreover, the Coast Guard will provide advance notification of the 
safety zone to the local maritime community by Local Notice to Mariners 
and Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16.

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 zero 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.
    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 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 
Directive 023-01 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 
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 only one and a 
half hours that will prohibit entry within 500 yards of a barge from 
which fireworks will be launched. It is categorically excluded from 
further review under paragraph L60(A) in Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard 
Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1. 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

    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:  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. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T07-0372 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T07-0372   Safety Zone; Patriots Point Fireworks, Charleston, 
SC.

    (a) Location. This rule establishes a safety zone on all waters 
within a 500-yard radius of the barge, from which fireworks will be 
launched on the bank of the Cooper River at Patriot's Point in 
Charleston, SC.
    (b) Definition. The term ``designated representative'' means Coast 
Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty 
officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and 
Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the 
Captain of the Port Charleston in the enforcement of the regulated 
areas.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from 
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the 
regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the

[[Page 30900]]

Port Charleston or a designated representative.
    (2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the regulated area may contact the Captain of the 
Port Charleston by telephone at 843-740-7050, or a designated 
representative via VHF radio on channel 16, to request authorization. 
If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within 
the regulated area is granted by the Captain of the Port Charleston or 
a designated representative, all persons and vessels receiving such 
authorization must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the 
Port Charleston or a designated representative.
    (3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated area by 
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or by on-scene 
designated representatives.
    (d) Enforcement Period. This rule will be enforced on July 4, 2019 
from 7:45 p.m. until 9:15 p.m.

    Dated: June 21, 2019.
J.W. Reed,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Charleston.
[FR Doc. 2019-13769 Filed 6-27-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P