[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 236 (Monday, December 11, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 58113-58115]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-26561]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0986]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters on the Lower Mississippi River above Head of Passes 
between mile marker (MM) 94.0 and MM 95.0. This safety zone is needed 
to protect personnel, vessels and the marine environment from potential 
hazards associated with a fireworks display on January 6, 2018. This 
rulemaking will prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety 
zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans 
(COTP) or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:30 p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on 
January 6, 2018.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
USCG-2017-0986. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the 
docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
rulemaking, call or email Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Howard K. Vacco, 
Sector New Orleans, Waterways Management Division Chief, U.S. Coast 
Guard; telephone 504-365-2281, email [email protected].

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

[[Page 58114]]

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)(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. We must 
establish this safety zone by January 6, 2018 and lack sufficient time 
to provide responsible comment period and then consider those comments 
before issuing the rule.
    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 the public interest because the safety 
zone is necessary to respond to potential hazards associated with a 
fireworks display.

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 a temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of 
life and vessels transiting the area where the fireworks will be 
launched. The fireworks display is scheduled to take place from 8:30 
p.m. through 9:30 p.m. on January 6, 2018, in the navigable waters of 
the Lower Mississippi River at New Orleans, LA.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    The COTP will establish a safety zone from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. 
on January 6, 2018. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters of 
the Lower Mississippi River above Head of Passes between mile marker 
94.0 and mile marker 95.0 in New Orleans, LA. The duration of the 
safety zone is to ensure the protection of personnel, vessels and the 
marine environment from potential hazards associated with the fireworks 
display. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone 
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 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 restrict vessel traffic from entering or transiting within a 
one mile area of navigable waterway of the Lower Mississippi River 
above Head of Passes between mile marker 94.0 and mile marker 95.0 in 
New Orleans, LA, during a time of year when vessel traffic is normally 
low. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Broadcast Notice to Mariners 
via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule allows 
vessels to seek permission to enter the zone.

B. 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 would 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 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 
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 would 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.

[[Page 58115]]

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 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 
mile of navigable waters between mile marker (MM) 94.0 and MM 95.0 of 
the Lower Mississippi River. Normally such actions are categorically 
excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, 
Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of 
Environmental Consideration (REC) is available in the docket for this 
rulemaking.

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 to amend 
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.T08-0986 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0986  Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, 
LA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Lower Mississippi River above Head of Passes, New 
Orleans, LA between mile marker 94.0 and mile marker 95.0.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 8:30 p.m. 
through 9:30 p.m. on January 6, 2018.
    (c) 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 Sector New Orleans 
(COTP) or designated representative. A designated representative is a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector New 
Orleans.
    (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.
    (d) 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: December 4, 2017.
Wayne R. Arguin,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New Orleans.
[FR Doc. 2017-26561 Filed 12-8-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


