81 FR 36174 - Safety Zone; Raritan Bay, Perth Amboy, NJ

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 108 (June 6, 2016)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of Raritan Bay near Perth Amboy, NJ for a fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This rule is intended to restrict all vessels from a portion of Raritan Bay during the fireworks event unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) New York or a designated representative.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 108 (Monday, June 6, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36174-36176]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13338]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0297]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Raritan Bay, Perth Amboy, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
navigable waters of Raritan Bay near Perth Amboy, NJ for a fireworks 
display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect spectators 
and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays. This 
rule is intended to restrict all vessels from a portion of Raritan Bay 
during the fireworks event unless authorized by the Captain of the Port 
(COTP) New York or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:45 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on July 
1, 2016.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0297 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, Marine Science Technician Daniel Vazquez, U.S. Coast 
Guard; Telephone (718) 354-4154, 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

[[Page 36175]]

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 an NPRM with respect to this rule 
because doing so would be impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. The event sponsor was late in submitting the marine event 
application. This late submission did not give the Coast Guard enough 
time to publish an NPRM followed by a final rule before the effective 
date, thus making the publication of a NPRM impracticable. The event 
sponsor advised that the event is in correlation with a festival 
bringing together Perth Amboy and South Amboy, NJ to honor Independence 
Day. Any change to the date of the event would cause economic hardship 
on the event sponsor, negatively impacting other activities being held 
in conjunction with the event.
    The location of the event is centrally located between both Perth 
Amboy and South Amboy which is more advantageous for the event 
spectators and sponsors. In addition, it has less of an impact on 
vessel traffic within Raritan Bay because it is out of the major 
shipping lanes.
    We are issuing this rule, and 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. For the same 
reasons discussed in the preceding paragraph, a delay or cancellation 
is contrary to the public's interest.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. This temporary safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of 
spectators and vessels from hazards associated with the fireworks 
display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone on the waters of 
Raritan Bay near Perth Amboy, NJ. All persons and vessels shall comply 
with the instructions of the COTP New York or a designated 
representative during the enforcement of the temporary safety zone. 
Entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within the temporary 
safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP New York or a 
designated representative.
    Based on the inherent hazards associated with fireworks, the COTP 
New York has determined that fireworks launches in close proximity to 
water crafts pose a significant risk to public safety and property. The 
combination of increased number of recreational vessels, congested 
waterways, darkness punctuated by bright flashes of light, and debris, 
especially burning debris falling on passing or spectator vessels, has 
the potential to result in serious injuries or fatalities. This 
temporary safety zone will restrict vessels from a portion of Raritan 
Bay around the location of the fireworks launch platform before, 
during, and immediately after the fireworks display.
    The Coast Guard determined that this regulated area will not have a 
significant impact on vessel traffic due to its temporary nature and 
limited size and the fact that vessels are allowed to transit the 
navigable waters outside of the regulated area.
    Consistent with 33 CFR 165.7, the Coast Guard will notify the 
public and local mariners of this safety zone through appropriate 
means, which may include, but are not limited to, publication in the 
Federal Register, the Local Notice to Mariners, and Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners.

 V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive order 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 13563 emphasizes the importance of 
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing 
rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has not been designated 
a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. 
Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and 
Budget.
    The Coast Guard's implementation of this temporary safety zone will 
be of short duration and is designed to minimize the impact to vessel 
traffic on the navigable waters. This temporary safety zone will only 
be enforced for approximately 135 minutes. Due to the location, vessels 
will be able to transit around the safety zone in a safe manner.

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

[[Page 36176]]

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 
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, 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 the establishment of a temporary safety zone. It is 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of 
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An environmental analysis 
checklist supporting this determination and a Categorical Exclusion 
Determination will be available in the docket where indicated under 
ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the 
discovery of a significant environmental impact from this rule.

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 AREA

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.T01-0522 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T01-0522  Safety Zone; Raritan Bay, Perth Amboy, NJ.

    (a) Regulated area. The following area is a temporary safety zone: 
All navigable waters of Raritan Bay within a 300-yard radius of the 
fireworks barge located in approximate position 40[deg]29'28'' N, 
074[deg]15'45'' W, in the vicinity of Perth Amboy, NJ, approximately 
1,110 yards southeast of Ferry Point, Perth Amboy, NJ.
    (b) Effective and enforcement period. This rule will be effective 
and enforced from 8:45 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on July 1, 2016.
    (c) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:
    (1) Designated representative. A ``designated representative'' is 
any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer of the U.S. 
Coast Guard who has been designated by the Captain of the Port New York 
(COTP), to act on his or her behalf. A designated representative may be 
on an official patrol vessel or may be on shore and will communicate 
with vessels via VHF-FM radio or loudhailer. In addition, members of 
the Coast Guard Auxiliary may be present to inform vessel operators of 
this regulation.
    (2) Official patrol vessels. Official patrol vessels may consist of 
any Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, state, or local law enforcement 
vessels assigned or approved by the COTP.
    (3) Spectators. All persons and vessels not registered with the 
event sponsor as participants or official patrol vessels.
    (d) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in Sec.  
165.23, as well as the following regulations, apply.
    (2) No vessels, except for fireworks barge and accompanying 
vessels, will be allowed to transit the safety zone without the 
permission of the COTP.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or a designated representative. Upon being hailed by a U.S. 
Coast Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the 
operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. Failure to comply with 
a lawful direction may result in expulsion from the area, citation for 
failure to comply, or both.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the 
regulated area shall contact the COTP or a designated representative 
via VHF channel 16 or 718-354-4353 (Sector New York command center) to 
obtain permission to do so.
    (5) Spectators or other vessels shall not anchor, block, loiter, or 
impede the transit of event participants or official patrol vessels in 
the regulated areas during the effective dates and times, unless 
authorized by COTP or a designated representative.
    (6) The COTP or a designated representative may delay or terminate 
any marine event in this subpart at any time it is deemed necessary to 
ensure the safety of life or property.

    Dated: May 15, 2016.
M.H. Day,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port New York.
[FR Doc. 2016-13338 Filed 6-3-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P