[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 115 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27707-27709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-12763]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0528]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival, 
Buffalo River, Buffalo, NY

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 Buffalo River, Buffalo, NY. This safety zone is 
intended to restrict vessels from portions of the Buffalo River during 
the Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival. This temporary 
safety zone is necessary to protect mariners and vessels from the 
navigational hazards associated with this event. Entry of vessels or 
persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Buffalo.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:00 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on June 
16, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0528 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 Michael Collet, Chief Waterways Management Division, 
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 716-843-9322, email [email protected].

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 find that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to public 
interest.'' On April 19, 2018, the Captain of the Port (COTP) Buffalo 
published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM), Docket Number USCG-
2017-1112, to make temporary safety zones for annual events a final 
rule. This event was included in the NPRM. Its purpose was to mitigate 
potential threats to personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in 
the navigable waters within the specified safety zones. The NPRM 
addressed these concerns, and invited the public to comment during the 
comment period, which ended on May 21, 2018. As such, it is unnecessary 
to publish an NPRM for this temporary rule because the public had 
opportunity to comment on it and no comments were received concerning 
this event.
    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. The Coast Guard intends to 
establish a permanent safety zone in the future under Docket Number 
USCG-2017-1112. Delaying the effective date would be contrary to the 
rule's objectives of ensuring safety of life on the navigable waters 
and protection of persons and vessels in the vicinity of the planned 
event.

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 Buffalo (COTP) has determined the Hope 
Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon Boat Festival presents significant risks 
to the public safety and property. This rule is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters 
within the safety zone while the event takes place.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone on June 16, 2018, from 8:00 
a.m. until 5:30 p.m. The safety zone will encompass all waters of the 
Buffalo River, Buffalo, NY starting at position 42[deg]52'12.60'' N, 
078[deg]52'17.0'' W then Southeast to 42[deg]52'03.0'' N, 
078[deg]52'12.0'' W then East

[[Page 27708]]

to 42[deg]52'03.0'' N, 078[deg]52'10.0'' W then Northwest to 
42[deg]52'13.0'' N, 078[deg]52'16.0'' W then returning to the point of 
origin.
    Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his 
designated on-scene representative. The Captain of the Port or his 
designated on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

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 conclusion 
that this rule is not a significant regulatory action. 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 for a relatively short time. Also, the safety zone has 
been designed to allow vessels to transit around it. Thus, restrictions 
on vessel movement within that particular area are expected to be 
minimal. 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.
    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 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 Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 
establishes a temporary safety zone. It is 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 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.


[[Page 27709]]


    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.T09-0528 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T09-0528   Safety Zone; Hope Chest Buffalo Niagara Dragon 
Boat Festival, Buffalo River, Buffalo, NY.

    (a) Location. The safety zone will encompass all waters of the 
Buffalo River, Buffalo, NY starting at position 42[deg]52'12.60'' N, 
078[deg]52'17.0'' W then Southeast to 42[deg]52'03.0'' N, 
078[deg]52'12.0'' W then East to 42[deg]52'03.0'' N, 078[deg]52'10.0'' 
W then Northwest to 42[deg]52'13.0'' N, 078[deg]52'16.0'' W then 
returning to the point of origin.
    (b) Enforcement period. This regulation will be enforced from 8:00 
a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on June 16, 2018.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this safety 
zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo 
or his 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 Buffalo or his designated on-
scene representative.
    (3) The ``on-scene representative'' of the Captain of the Port 
Buffalo is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who 
has been designated by the Captain of the Port Buffalo to act on his 
behalf.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone must contact the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his on-scene 
representative to obtain permission to do so. The Captain of the Port 
Buffalo or his on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 
16. 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 Buffalo, or his on-scene representative.

    Dated: June 8, 2018.
Kenneth E. Blair,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port Buffalo.
[FR Doc. 2018-12763 Filed 6-13-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


