
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 197 (Friday, October 13, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 47616-47618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22219]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0917]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Main Branch of the Chicago River, Oktoberfest, 
Chicago, IL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Main Branch of the Chicago River, Chicago, IL. This action is necessary 
and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters of the 
United States immediately prior to, during, and after a bridge based 
pyrotechnics display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Lake Michigan.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7:15 p.m. through 7:45 p.m. on 
October 13, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0917 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 rule, 
call or email LT John Ramos, Marine Safety Unit Chicago, U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone (630) 986-2155, email D09-DG-MSUChicago-Waterways@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 ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to 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 doing so would be impracticable. The 
Coast Guard did not receive the final details for this event until 
there was insufficient time remaining before the event to publish a 
NPRM. Thus, delaying the effective date of this rule to wait for a 
comment period to run would be impracticable because it would inhibit 
the Coast Guard's ability to protect the public and vessels from the 
hazards associated with bridge based fireworks displays on October 13, 
2017.
    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 temporary rule 
effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. 
For the same reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph,

[[Page 47617]]

waiting for a 30-day notice period to run would be impracticable.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The legal basis for the rule is the Coast Guard's authority to 
establish safety zones: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 160.5; 
Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
    On October 13, 2017 a bridge based pyrotechnics display will take 
place on the Main Branch of the Chicago River between the Wells Street 
Bridge and the Wabash Avenue Bridge in Chicago, IL. The Captain of the 
Port Lake Michigan has determined that the pyrotechnics display will 
pose a significant risk to public safety and property. Such hazards 
include premature and accidental detonations, falling and burning 
debris, and collisions among spectator vessels.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    With the aforementioned hazards in mind, the Captain of the Port 
Lake Michigan has determined that this temporary safety zone is 
necessary to ensure the safety of the public during the bridge based 
pyrotechnics displays on the Main Branch of the Chicago River. This 
safety zone will be enforced from 7:15 p.m. through 7:45 p.m. on 
October 13, 2017. This zone will encompass all waters of the Main 
Branch of the Chicago River between the Wells Street Bridge and the 
Wabash Avenue Bridge in Chicago, IL.
    Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan, 
or a designated on-scene representative. The Captain of the Port or a 
designated on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16 
or contact Sector Lake Michigan at (414) 747-7182.

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. Executive Order 13771 (``Reducing 
Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs''), directs agencies to 
reduce regulation and control regulatory costs and provides that ``for 
every one new regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be 
identified for elimination, and that the cost of planned regulations be 
prudently managed and controlled through a budgeting process.'' 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.
    As this rule is not a significant regulatory action, this rule is 
exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 13771. See OMB's 
Memorandum titled ``Interim Guidance Implementing Section 2 of the 
Executive Order of January 30, 2017 titled `Reducing Regulation and 
Controlling Regulatory Costs' '' (February 2, 2017).
    We conclude that this rule is not a significant regulatory action 
because we anticipate that it will have minimal impact on the economy, 
will not interfere with other agencies, will not adversely alter the 
budget of any grant or loan recipients, and will not raise any novel 
legal or policy issues. The safety zone created by this rule will be 
relatively small and enforced from 7:15 p.m. through 7:45 p.m. on 
October 13, 2017. Under certain conditions, moreover, vessels may still 
transit through the safety zone when permitted by the Captain of the 
Port.

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.
    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered the impact of this temporary rule on small entities. This 
rule will affect the following entities, some of which might be small 
entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit on a 
portion of the Main Branch of the Chicago River from 7:15 p.m. through 
7:45 p.m. on October 13, 2017.
    This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the reasons cited in the 
Regulatory Planning and Review section above. Additionally, before the 
enforcement of the zone, we will issue local Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners and Local Notice to Mariners so vessel owners and operators 
can plan accordingly.
    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

[[Page 47618]]

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 
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 the establishment of a safety zone for a bridge based 
pyrotechnics display on the Main Branch of the Chicago River in 
Chicago, IL. It is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A Record 
of Environmental Consideration (REC) supporting this determination is 
available in the docket where indicated in the ADDRESSES section of 
this preamble. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the 
discovery of a significant environmental impact from this rule.

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 parts 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.T09-0917 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T09-0614  Safety Zone; Main Branch of the Chicago River, 
Oktoberfest, Chicago, IL.

    (a) Location. All U.S. navigable waters of the Main Branch of the 
Chicago River, between the Wells Street Bridge and Wabash Avenue Bridge 
in Chicago, IL.
    (b) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced from 7:15 p.m. 
through 7:45 p.m. on October 13, 2017.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within 
this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Lake Michigan or a designated on-scene representative.
    (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated 
on-scene representative.
    (3) The ``on-scene representative'' of the Captain of the Port Lake 
Michigan is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who 
has been designated by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan to act on 
his or her behalf.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone shall contact the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or an on-scene 
representative to obtain permission to do so.
    The Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or an on-scene representative 
may be contacted via VHF Channel 16 or contact Sector Lake Michigan at 
(414) 747-7182. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate 
in the safety zone must comply with all directions given to them by the 
Captain of the Port Lake Michigan, or an on-scene representative.

    Dated: October 5, 2017.
Thomas J. Stuhlreyer,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 2017-22219 Filed 10-12-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


