[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 127 (Monday, July 2, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30877-30879]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-14169]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0612]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Swansboro, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
the navigable waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near 
Swansboro, North Carolina, in support of a fireworks display on July 4, 
2018. This temporary safety zone is intended to restrict vessel traffic 
from a portion of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway during the Town of 
Swansboro Fourth of July Celebration fireworks display to protect the 
life and property of the maritime public and spectators from the 
hazards posed by aerial fireworks displays. Entry of vessels or persons 
into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the 
Captain of the Port (COTP) North Carolina or a designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:45 p.m. through 9:45 p.m. on July 
4, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0612 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 Petty Officer Matthew Tyson, Waterways Management 
Division, U.S. Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, Wilmington, NC; 
telephone 910-772-2221, 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
COTP Captain of the Port

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 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 and contrary to 
the public interest. The publishing of an NPRM would be impracticable 
and contrary to the public interest since a final rule needs to be in 
place by July 4, 2018, to minimize potential danger to the participants 
and the public during the 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. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable and contrary to public interest 
because immediate action is needed to protect persons and vessels from 
the hazards associated with this event on July 4, 2018.

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 North Carolina (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the Town of Swansboro Fourth of July 
Celebration fireworks display on July 4, 2018, is a safety concern for 
maritime spectators during the launch of fireworks on the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway near Swansboro, North Carolina. This rule is 
necessary to protect persons and vessels from the potential hazards 
associated with the aerial fireworks display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 8:45 p.m. until 9:45 p.m. 
on July 4, 2018. The safety zone will include all navigable waters 
within a 150 yard radius of the fireworks launch location at 
approximate position: Latitude 34[deg]41'02'' N, longitude 
077[deg]07'04'' W, on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near 
Swansboro, North Carolina. This safety zone is being established for 
the safety of the maritime spectators observing 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. All 
vessels within this safety zone when this section becomes effective 
must depart the zone immediately. To request permission to remain in, 
enter, or transit through the safety zone, vessels should contact the 
COTP or a designated representative of the COTP through the Coast Guard 
Sector North Carolina Command Duty Officer, Wilmington, North Carolina, 
at telephone number 910-343-3882, or on VHF-FM marine band radio 
channel 13 (165.65 MHz) or channel 16 (156.8 MHz).

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

[[Page 30878]]

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, and duration of the safety zone. The one-hour regulation 
enforcement period should not overly burden vessel traffic based on the 
short duration of the period. This safety zone will only impact a small 
designated area of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near Swansboro, 
NC. Additionally, the rule allows vessels to seek permission to enter 
the zone. The Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners to 
notify vessels in the region of the establishment of this regulation.

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 the precise number of small entities impacted is unknown, it 
is expected that the number of vessels in this portion of the Atlantic 
Intracoastal Waterway during the event will be low. 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 involves 
a safety zone lasting one hour that will prohibit entry into a portion 
of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near Swansboro, NC. 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.

    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.T05-0612 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0612   Safety Zone, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
Swansboro, NC.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within a 150 yard radius of the fireworks launch location at 
approximate position: Latitude 34[deg]41'02'' N, longitude 
077[deg]07'04'' W, on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway near 
Swansboro, North Carolina.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
    Captain of the Port means the Commander, Sector North Carolina.
    Designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, 
including a Coast Guard commissioned,

[[Page 30879]]

warrant, or petty officer designated by the Captain of the Port North 
Carolina (COTP) for the enforcement of the safety zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations governing safety zones 
in subpart C of this part apply to the area described in paragraph (a) 
of this section.
    (2) Entry into or remaining in this safety zone is prohibited 
unless authorized by the COTP North Carolina or the COTP North 
Carolina's designated representative.
    (3) All vessels within this safety zone when this section becomes 
effective must depart the zone immediately.
    (4) To request permission to remain in, enter, or transit through 
the safety zone, contact the COTP North Carolina or the COTP North 
Carolina's representative through the Coast Guard Sector North Carolina 
Command Duty Officer, Wilmington, North Carolina, at telephone number 
910-343-3882, or on VHF-FM marine band radio channel 13 (165.65 MHz) or 
channel 16 (156.8 MHz).
    (d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 
and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local 
agencies.

    Dated: June 25, 2018.
Bion B. Stewart,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port North Carolina.
[FR Doc. 2018-14169 Filed 6-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


