[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 211 (Thursday, November 4, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60768-60770]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-23786]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0767]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; 2021 Barge Based Fireworks, Hudson River, Manhattan, 
NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain navigable waters within a 600 foot radius of the fireworks 
launch site which is located on the Hudson River, Manhattan, NY, in the 
vicinity of the Hudson River Park and Pier 76. This safety zone is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
the potential hazards during a fireworks display on November 18, 2021. 
Entry of vessels or persons into, transiting through, mooring, or 
anchoring within this zone are prohibited unless authorized by the 
Captain of the Port New York.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9:30 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. on 
November 18, 2021.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2021-0767 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email MST1 S. Stevenson, Waterways Management Division, U.S. 
Coast Guard; telephone 719-354-4000, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the New York
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 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 doing so would be impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. The final details for this event were 
not known to the Coast Guard until there was insufficient time to 
publish an 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 a barge based fireworks display. The 
expeditious implementation of this rule is in the public interest 
because it will help ensure the safety of those involved in displaying 
the fireworks, the spectators, and users of the waterway during the 
fireworks 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 the public interest 
because the safety zone must be established for the fireworks display 
on November 18, 2021, to mitigate the potential safety hazards 
associated with a fireworks display in this location.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the New York (COTP) 
has determined that potential hazards associated with this fireworks 
display, on November 18, 2021, will pose a significant risk to public 
safety and property. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the fallout 
zone immediately before, during, and after the fireworks display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone on all navigable 
waters within a 600 foot radius of a barge located at approximate 
position 40[deg]45'39.4'' N, 74[deg]00'35.8'' W on the Hudson River, 
Manhattan, NY, in the vicinity of the Hudson River Park and Pier 76. No 
vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone between 
9:30 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. on November 18, 2021. The duration of the 
zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment in these navigable waters during 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.

[[Page 60769]]

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. 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).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the duration and 
time-of-day of the safety zone. This safety zone will restrict vessel 
traffic from entering or transiting within a 600 foot radius of the 
fireworks launch site which is located on the Hudson River, Manhattan, 
NY, in the vicinity of the Hudson River Park and Pier 76. The 
approximate position is 40[deg]45'39.4'' N, 74[deg]00'35.8'' W. 
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. Vessel traffic will be able to 
safely transit around the safety zone which would impact a small 
designated area of the Hudson River. Vessel traffic will only be 
restricted in the limited access area for two hours on November 18, 
2021. Advance public notifications will also be made to local mariners 
through appropriate means, which may include Local Notice to Mariners 
and Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

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 
call or email 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.

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, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and 
Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), 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 only 2 hour that will prohibit entry within a 600 
foot radius of the fireworks launch site. 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. 1. A Record of Environmental 
Consideration supporting this determination will be available in the 
docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES 
section of this preamble.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to call or email 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: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-
6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T01-0767 to read as follows:

[[Page 60770]]

Sec.  165.T01-0767  Safety Zone; 2021 Barge Based Fireworks, Hudson 
River, Manhattan, NY.

    (a) Location. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters 
within a 600 foot radius of the fireworks launch site located on the 
Hudson River, Manhattan, NY, approximate position 40[deg]45'39.4'' N, 
4[deg]00'35.8'' W, in the vicinity of the Hudson River Park and Pier 
76.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, Designated representative 
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, 
petty officer or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a 
Federal, State and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain 
of the Port New York (COTP) in the enforcement of this section.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in 
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the 
COTP's Designated Representative.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's 
Designated Representative via VHF-FM Marine Channel 16 or by contacting 
the Coast Guard Sector New York command center at (718) 354-4356 or on 
VHF 16 to obtain permission.
    (d) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced from 9:30 p.m. 
through 11:30 p.m. on November 18, 2021.
    (e) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public through Broadcast Notice to Mariners of any 
changes in the planned schedule.

    Dated: October 25, 2021.
M. Sennick,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New York.
[FR Doc. 2021-23786 Filed 11-3-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


