81 FR 41815 - Safety Zone; Allegheny River Mile 0-0.5, Monongahela River Mile 0-0.5, Ohio River Mile 0-0.5, Pittsburgh, PA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 124 (June 28, 2016)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Allegheny River, Monongahela River, and Ohio River from mile 0.0-0.5 on each of the three rivers. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created from a barge-based fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh.

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 124 (Tuesday, June 28, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41815-41817]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-15239]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2016-0538]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Allegheny River Mile 0-0.5, Monongahela River Mile 
0-0.5, Ohio River Mile 0-0.5, Pittsburgh, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
navigable waters of the Allegheny River, Monongahela River, and Ohio 
River from mile 0.0-0.5 on each of the three rivers. The safety zone is 
needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created from a barge-based fireworks display. Entry 
of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh.

DATES: This rule is effective on July 9, 2016 from 8:30 p.m. until 
10:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2016-0538 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 MST1 Jennifer Haggins, Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh, 
U.S. Coast Guard, at telephone 412-221-0807, 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 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 the Coast Guard received notice on 
June 8, 2016 that this fireworks display would take place. After 
receiving and fully reviewing the event information, circumstances, and 
exact location, the Coast Guard determined that a safety zone is 
necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment 
from potential hazards created from a barge-based fireworks display on 
the navigable waterway. It would be impracticable to complete the full 
NPRM process for this safety zone because it needs to be established by 
July 9, 2016. The fireworks display has been advertised and the local 
community has prepared for the event.
    We are issuing this rule, and under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast 
Guard finds that good cause exists for making it effective less than 30 
days after publication in the Federal Register. Delaying this rule 
would be contrary to public interest of ensuring the safety of 
spectators and vessels during the event. Immediate action is necessary 
to prevent possible loss of life and property during the hazards 
created by a barge-based fireworks display.

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 Pittsburgh (COTP) has determined that a 
safety zone is needed on July 9, 2016. This rule is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards 
created from a barge-based fireworks display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone on July 9, 2016 from 8:30 p.m. 
until 10:30 p.m. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters on the 
Allegheny River, Monongahela River, and Ohio River from mile 0.0-0.5 on 
each of the three rivers. The duration of the safety zone is intended 
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from 
potential hazards created from a barge-based firework 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.

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.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, and duration of the safety zone. This safety zone impacts a 
small portion of the waterway on each of the three rivers and for a 
limited duration of two hours. Vessel traffic will be informed about 
the safety zone through local notices to mariners. Moreover, the Coast 
Guard will issue broadcast botices to mariners

[[Page 41816]]

via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone and the rule allows vessels 
to seek permission to transit 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 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 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 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 a safety zone lasting two hours that will prohibit entry 
to the Allegheny River, Monongahela River, and Ohio River from mile 
0.0-0.5 on each of the three rivers, during the barge-based firework 
event. 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 are 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

    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.T08-0538 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0538  Safety Zone, Allegheny River, Monongahela River, 
and Ohio River, Pittsburgh, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: Allegheny River, 
Monongahela River, and Ohio River from mile 0.0-0.5 on each of the 
three rivers.
    (b) Enforcement. This rule will be enforced, from 8:30 p.m. until 
10:30 p.m. on July 9, 2016.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated 
representative.
    (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the 
zone must request permission from the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or 
a designated representative. The Captain of the Pittsburgh 
representative may be contacted at 412-221-0807.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or their designated representative. 
Designated Captain of the Port representatives include United States 
Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, and petty officers.

[[Page 41817]]

    (d) Information Broadcasts. The Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a 
designated representative will inform the public through broadcast 
notices to mariners of the enforcement period for the safety zone as 
well as any changes in the planned schedule.

L. Mcclain, Jr.,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2016-15239 Filed 6-27-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P