
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 211 (Thursday, November 2, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 75244-75246]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-24152]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2023-0843]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Fireworks Display; Hood River, OR

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 Columbia River. This action is necessary 
to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Hood 
River, Oregon, during a fireworks display on December 31, 2023. This 
proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering 
the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector 
Columbia River 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 December 4, 2023.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2023-0843 using the Federal Decision-Making 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 Carlie Gilligan, Waterways 
Management Division, Sector Columbia River, Coast Guard; telephone 503-
240-9319, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Columbia River
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

    On August 15, 2023, the Hood River Fireworks, LLC notified the 
Coast Guard that it will be conducting a fireworks display from 8 to 
8:30 p.m. on December 31, 2023. The fireworks are to be launched from 
Hood River Spit, approximately 1000 feet south of the Columbia River in 
Hood River, OR. Hazards from firework displays include accidental 
discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers 
or other debris. The Captain of the Port Sector Columbia River (COTP) 
has determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks to 
be used in this display would be a safety concern for anyone within a 
1000-foot radius of the discharge site.
    The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels 
and the navigable waters within a 1000-foot radius of the fireworks 
barge before, during, and after the scheduled event. The Coast Guard is 
proposing this rulemaking under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034.

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP is proposing to establish a safety zone from 7:30 to 9 
p.m. on December 31, 2023. The safety zone would cover all navigable 
waters within 1000 feet of the Hood River Spit, located approximately 
1000 feet south of the Columbia River in Hood River, OR. The duration 
of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these 
navigable waters before, during, and after the scheduled fireworks 
display. 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 section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as 
amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). 
Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. The safety zone created by 
this proposed rule is designed to minimize its impact on navigable 
waters. The safety zone will impact approximately a 1000-foot area at 
the intersection of the Columbia and Hood Rivers and is not anticipated 
to exceed 1.5 hours in duration. Thus, restrictions on vessel movement 
within that particular area are expected to be minimal. Moreover, under 
certain conditions vessels may still transit through the safety zone 
when permitted by the COTP. The Coast Guard would issue a Notice to 
Mariners about the zone, and the rule would allow vessels to seek 
permission to enter the zone.

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 (Public Law 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

[[Page 75245]]

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 1.5 hours that would prohibit entry within 1000 feet of 
the fireworks discharge site located on Hood River Spit. 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 Decision-Making Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. To 
do so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2023-0843 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. Also, if you click on the Dockets tab and then the 
proposed rule, you should see a ``Subscribe'' option for email alerts. 
The option will notify you when comments are posted, or a final rule is 
published.
    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 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

    Harbors, 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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.
0
2. Add Sec.  165.T13-0843 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T13-0843   Safety Zone; Fireworks Display, Hood River, OR.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within 1000 feet of a fireworks launch site in Hood River, OR. 
The fireworks launch site will be at the approximate point of 
45[deg]42'51.20'' N 121[deg]30'32.18'' W.
    (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 Columbia River 
(COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.

[[Page 75246]]

    Participant means all persons and vessels registered with the event 
sponsor as a participant in the fireworks display.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, all non-participants 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 
representative by calling (503) 209-2468 or the Sector Columbia River 
Command Center on Channel 16 VHF-FM. Those in the safety zone must 
comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP 
or the COTP's designated representative.
    (3) The COTP will provide notice of the regulated area through 
advanced notice via broadcast notice to mariners and by on-scene 
designated representatives.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7:30 to 
9 p.m. on December 31, 2023. It will be subject to enforcement this 
entire period unless the COTP determines it is no longer needed, in 
which case the Coast Guard will inform mariners via Notice to Mariners.

    Dated: October 25, 2023.
J.W. Noggle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River.
[FR Doc. 2023-24152 Filed 11-1-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


