82 FR 27618 - Safety Zone; Boston Harbor, Boston, MA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 115 (June 16, 2017)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks barge positioned in vicinity of the western side of Spectacle Island in Boston Harbor. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a barge based fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Boston.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 115 (Friday, June 16, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27618-27620]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-12493]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0241]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Boston Harbor, Boston, MA

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 within a 300-yard radius of the fireworks barge 
positioned in vicinity of the western side of Spectacle Island in 
Boston Harbor. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, 
and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a barge 
based fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port 
(COTP) Boston.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. on June 
16, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0241 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 Mark Cutter, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast 
Guard Sector Boston, telephone 617-223-4000, email Mark.E.Cutter.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
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 NPRM with respect to this rule 
because doing so would be impracticable and contrary to the public 
interest. The late finalization of event details from the sponsor did 
not give the Coast Guard enough time to publish an NPRM, take public 
comments, and issue a final rule before the event is set to begin. It 
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest to delay 
promulgating this rule as it is necessary to protect the safety of the 
public and waterway users.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), and for the same reason stated in the 
preceding paragraph, the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for 
making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the 
Federal Register.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. COTP Boston has determined that potential hazards associated with 
the event on June 16, 2017 will be a safety concern for personnel, 
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a 
barge based fireworks display. The purpose of this rule is to ensure 
safety of the marine environment and navigable waters in the safety 
zone before, during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 8 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. 
on June 16, 2017. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters 
within specific geographic locations specified in the regulatory text 
on the navigable waters of Boston Harbor, Boston, Massachusetts. 
Vessels not associated with the fireworks display shall maintain a 
distance of at least 300 yards from the fireworks barge. The duration 
of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of maritime public before, 
during, and after the event scheduled from 8 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. No 
vessel or person would 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 27619]]

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.
    We expect the economic impact of this rule to be minimal. This 
regulation may have some impact on the public, but that potential 
impact will likely be minimal for several reasons. First, this safety 
zone will be in effect for less than three hours. Second, vessels may 
enter or pass through the safety zone during an enforcement period with 
the permission of the COTP or the designated representative. Finally, 
the Coast Guard will provide notification to the public through Local 
Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners well in advance of 
the event.

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 all of the reasons discussed in 
the Regulatory Planning and Review Section, 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 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 a safety zone lasting less than three hours that will 
prohibit entry into a 300 yards zone around the fireworks. It is 
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(g) of 
Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An Record of Environmental 
Consideration (REC) is 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 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.T01-0241 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T01-0241  Safety Zone--Boston Harbor Now--Boston Harbor, 
Boston, Massachusetts.

    (a) General. Establish a temporary safety zone:
    (1) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters within

[[Page 27620]]

300-yard radius of the fireworks barge positioned in vicinity of 
42[deg]19'14'' N., 070[deg]59'36'' before, during, and after the 
fireworks display.
    (2) Effective and enforcement period. This rule will be effective 
on June 16, 2017, from 8 p.m. through 10:30 p.m.
    (b) Regulations. While this safety zone is being enforced, the 
following regulations, along with those contained in 33 CFR 165.23 
apply:
    (1) No person or vessel may enter or remain in this safety zone 
without the permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP) or the COTP's 
representatives. However, any vessel that is granted permission by the 
COTP or the COTP's representatives must proceed through the area with 
caution and operate at a speed no faster than that speed necessary to 
maintain a safe course, unless otherwise required by the Navigation 
Rules.
    (2) Any person or vessel permitted to enter the safety zone shall 
comply with the directions and orders of the COTP or the COTP's 
representatives. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel by 
siren, radio, flashing lights, or other means, the operator of a vessel 
within the zone shall proceed as directed. Any person or vessel within 
the safety zone shall exit the zone when directed by the COTP or the 
COTP's representatives.
    (3) To obtain permissions required by this regulation, individuals 
may reach the COTP or a COTP representative via VHF channel 16 or 617-
223-5757 (Sector Boston Command Center).
    (c) Penalties. Those who violate this section are subject to the 
penalties set forth in 33 U.S.C. 1232 and 50 U.S.C. 1226.
    (d) Notification. Coast Guard Sector Boston will give notice 
through the Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners 
for the purpose of enforcement of this temporary safety zone. Sector 
Boston will also notify the public to the greatest extent possible of 
any period in which the Coast Guard will suspend enforcement of this 
safety zone.
    (e) COTP representative. The COTP's representative may be any Coast 
Guard commissioned, or petty officer or any federal, state, or local 
law enforcement officer who has been designated by the COTP to act on 
the COTP's behalf. The COTP's representative may be on a Coast Guard 
vessel, a Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel, a state or local law 
enforcement vessel, or a location on shore.

    Dated: June 9, 2017.
C.C. Gelzer,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Boston.
[FR Doc. 2017-12493 Filed 6-15-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P