[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 117 (Friday, June 17, 2022)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 36430-36432]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-12961]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2022-0273]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Black River, South of East Erie Avenue Bridge in 
Front of Black River Landing, Lorain, OH

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety 
zone for certain waters of the Black River. This action is necessary to 
provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Black 
River Landing, Lorain, OH, during a dragon boat festival. This proposed 
rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety 
zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or a 
designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed 
rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before July 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2022-0273 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email LT Jared Stevens, Waterways 
Management Division, Marine Safety Unit Cleveland, U.S. Coast Guard; 
telephone 216-937-0124, 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, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    The Cleveland Dragon Boat Festival has occurred annually for over a 
decade. Past years events were held on the Cuyahoga River in 
conjunction with the Head of the Cuyahoga regatta, for which the 
Captain of the Port Buffalo initiated a rulemaking in 2015 (80 FR 
51943) to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the 
hazards associated with the rowing event. Due to increased 
participation in the Dragon Boat Festival, the dragon boat event has 
been relocated to the Black River Landing in Lorain, OH, to preserve 
the safety of spectators and vessels.
    On January 31, 2022, the Cleveland Dragon Boat Association notified 
the Coast Guard that it will be conducting a dragon boat festival from 
8 a.m. through 5 p.m. on September 18, 2022. Typically, the event 
occurs on or around the first through third Saturday of September 
between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. The dragon boat festival is to 
occur south of the East Erie Avenue Bridge in front of the Black River 
Landing in Lorain, OH. Hazards from the event include, but are not 
limited to, sponsor operated vessels needing to transit the area during 
the festival. These vessels are expected to accompany the vessels 
competing in the row boat style races. The Captain of the Port Buffalo 
(COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the 
festival would be a safety concern for anyone within this portion of 
the Black River.
    The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels 
and the navigable waters within this portion of the Black River before, 
during, and after the scheduled event. The Coast Guard is proposing 
this rulemaking under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 (previously 33 
U.S.C. 1231).

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP is proposing to establish a safety zone from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m. on or around the first through third Saturday of September, 
according to when the actual event is scheduled. In 2022, the Dragon 
Boat Festival will occur on September 18. The safety zone would cover 
all navigable waters south of the East Erie Avenue Bridge in front of 
the Black River Landing in Lorain, OH. The duration of the zone is 
intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable waters 
before, during, and after the scheduled dragon boat festival. No vessel 
or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. The regulatory 
text we are proposing appears at the end of this document.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed 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. This NPRM has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on size, location, 
and duration

[[Page 36431]]

of the proposed rule. This Safety Zone would restrict navigation on and 
through this small designated portion of the Black River for nine hours 
on one day.

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 
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 
IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on any vessel owner or operator.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule 
would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment 
(see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to 
what degree this rule would economically affect it.
    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 proposed 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. The Coast Guard will not 
retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this 
proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments) because it would 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 proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please call or email the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the potential effects of 
this proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed 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 made 
a preliminary determination 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 proposed rule involves a safety 
zone lasting nine hours that would prohibit entry within the area south 
of the East Erie Avenue Bridge in front of the Black River Landing. 
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. 1. A preliminary Record of Environmental 
Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket. 
For instructions on locating the docket, see 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 proposed 
rule.

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.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments through 
the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. To do 
so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2022-0273 in the 
search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the 
Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment 
option. If you cannot submit your material by using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER 
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate 
instructions.
    Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this 
proposed rule as being available in the docket, find the docket as 
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting & 
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will 
also be placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following 
instructions on the https://www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked 
Questions web page. We review all comments received, but we will only 
post comments that address the topic of the proposed rule. We may 
choose not to post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that 
we receive.
    Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we 
post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal 
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions 
to the docket in

[[Page 36432]]

response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records 
notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is 
proposing 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:  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.T09-0273 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T09-0273   Safety Zone, Black River, South of East Erie 
Avenue Bridge in Front of Black River Landing, Lorain, OH.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within the area south of the East Erie Avenue Bridge in front of 
the Black River Landing in Lorain, OH.
    (b) Enforcement Period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
through 5 p.m. on or around the first through third Saturday in 
September, according to when the actual event is scheduled.
    (c) Definitions. Official Patrol Vessel 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 Buffalo, 
(COTP) in the enforcement of the regulations in this section. 
Participant means all persons and vessels attending the event.
    (d) Regulations. When this safety zone is enforced, the following 
regulations, along with those contained in 33 CFR 165 apply:
    (1) The Coast Guard may patrol the event area under the direction 
of a designated Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The Patrol Commander may 
be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) by the call sign 
``PATCOM.''
    (2) All persons and vessels not registered with the sponsor as 
participants or official patrol vessels are considered spectators. The 
``official patrol vessels'' consist of any Coast Guard, state or local 
law enforcement and sponsor provided vessels designated or assigned by 
the Captain of the Port Buffalo, to patrol the event.
    (3) Spectator vessels desiring to transit the regulated area may do 
so only with prior approval of the Patrol Commander and when so 
directed by that officer and will be operated at a no wake speed in a 
manner which will not endanger participants in the event or any other 
craft.
    (4) No spectator shall anchor, block, loiter, or impede the through 
transit of official patrol vessels in the regulated area during the 
effective dates and times, unless cleared for entry by or through an 
official patrol vessel.
    (5) The Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all 
vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or signaled by an official 
patrol vessel, a vessel shall come to an immediate stop and comply with 
the directions given. Failure to do so may result in expulsion from the 
area, citation for failure to comply, or both.
    (6) Any spectator vessel may anchor outside the regulated areas 
specified in this chapter, but may not anchor in, block, or loiter in a 
navigable channel.
    (7) The Patrol Commander may terminate the event or the operation 
of any vessel at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of 
life or property.
    (8) The Patrol Commander will terminate enforcement of the special 
regulations at the conclusion of the event.

     Dated: June 9, 2022.
M.I. Kuperman,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Buffalo.
[FR Doc. 2022-12961 Filed 6-16-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


