
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 178 (Friday, September 15, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43301-43303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-19663]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0786]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Tombigbee River, Demopolis, AL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
all navigable waters of the Tombigbee River from mile marker (MM) 215.5 
to MM 216.5, near Demopolis, AL. This action is necessary to protect 
persons and property on navigable waters during a fireworks display 
taking place on or over the waterway. Entry into or transiting in this 
zone is prohibited to all vessels, mariners, and persons unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Mobile (COTP) 
or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 p.m. through 10 p.m. on September 
16, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0786 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 LT Kyle D. Berry, Sector Mobile, Waterways Management 
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 251-441-5940, email 
Kyle.D.Berry@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Acronyms

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector Mobile
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 final 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 ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(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. It is 
impracticable to publish an NPRM because we must establish this safety 
zone by September 16, 2017 and lack sufficient time to provide a 
reasonable comment period and then consider those comments before 
issuing the rule.
    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 legal basis and authorities for this rule are found in 33 
U.S.C. 1231. The Marengo County Historical Society plans to conduct a 
fireworks display launched from shore on the Tombigbee River located 
near mile marker (MM) 216.0, in Demopolis, AL on September 16, 2017. 
Therefore, the Coast Guard has determined that a safety zone is needed 
to protect the public, mariners, and vessels from the potential hazards 
associated with a barge-based fireworks display on and over the 
waterway.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone 
encompassing all waters extending the entire width of the Tombigbee 
River from MM 215.5 to MM 216.5, near Demopolis, AL from 8 p.m. through 
10 p.m. on September 16, 2017. The location and duration of this safety 
zone is intended to protect persons and vessels during the fireworks 
display taking place over this navigable waterway. No person or vessel 
will be permitted to enter or transit within the safety zone, unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Mobile (COTP) 
or a designated representative. The COTP may be contacted by telephone 
at 251-441-5976.

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.

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

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pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt from the requirements of 
Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory determination is based on the duration, location, 
and size of the safety zone. This safety zone will restrict vessel 
traffic from entering or transiting in a one mile portion of the 
Tombigbee River, in Demopolis, AL for a duration of two hours. 
Additionally, notifications to the marine community will be made 
through BNMs. These notifications will allow the public to plan 
operations around the affected area and vessels may request permission 
from the COTP to transit through the safety zone.

B. 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 E.O. 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 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 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined 
that this action is one of a category of actions which do not 
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human 
environment. This rule involves a safety zone on a one mile section of 
the Tombigbee River during a firework display and is not expected to 
result in any significant adverse environmental impact as described in 
NEPA. This rule 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 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: 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.T08-0786 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0786  Safety Zone; Tombigbee River, Demopolis, AL

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Tombigbee River from mile marker (MM) 215.5 to MM 216.5 
near Demopolis, AL.
    (b) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 p.m. 
through 10 p.m. on September 16, 2017.
    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in Sec.  
165.23 as well as the regulations in this section apply to the 
regulated area.
    (2) Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port Sector Mobile (COTP) or a designated 
representative.
    (3) Persons or vessels seeking to enter into or transit through the 
zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. They may be

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contacted on VHF-FM channels 16 or by telephone at 251-441-5976.
    (4) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply 
with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
    (d) Informational broadcasts. The COTP or a designated 
representative will inform the public through broadcast notices to 
mariners of the enforcement period for the safety zone.

    Dated: August 24, 2017.
M.R. McLellan,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Mobile.
[FR Doc. 2017-19663 Filed 9-14-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


