82 FR 50317 - Safety Zone; Monongahela River, Monongahela, PA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 82, Issue 209 (October 31, 2017)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Monongahela River from mile marker (MM) 31.5 to (MM) 32.5. The safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Monongahela, PA from potential hazards created by a land based fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated representative.

[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 209 (Tuesday, October 31, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 50317-50319]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2017-23652]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2017-0891]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Monongahela River, Monongahela, 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 Monongahela River from mile marker (MM) 31.5 to 
(MM) 32.5. The safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of 
life on these navigable waters near Monongahela, PA from potential 
hazards created by a land based fireworks display. Entry of vessels or 
persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:30 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. on 
November 17, 2017.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2017-0891 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; telephone 412-221-0807, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh
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 it is impracticable.
    The Coast Guard received a notice of the event on September 7, 
2017. After receiving and fully reviewing the event information, 
circumstances and exact location, the Coast Guard determined that a 
safety zone was necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment from potential hazards created from a land based fireworks 
display. It would be impracticable to complete the full NPRM process 
for this safety zone because we need to establish it by November 17, 
2017 and lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period 
and then consider those comments before issuing the rule.
    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 the public interest of ensuring the safety of 
spectators and vessels during the event and action is necessary to 
prevent possible loss of life and property.

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 November 17, 2017. This rule

[[Page 50318]]

is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment 
from potential hazards created from a land based fireworks display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

    This rule establishes a safety zone from 8:30 p.m. through 10:30 
p.m. on November 17, 2017. The safety zone will cover all navigable 
waters on the Monongahela River from MM 31.5 to MM 32.5. The duration 
of the safety zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the 
marine environment from potential hazards created from a land based 
fireworks 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 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 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    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 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 
Notices to Mariners 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 
on the Monongahela River from MM 31.5 to MM 32.5, during the land based 
fireworks event. It is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A Record 
of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is 
available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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.

[[Page 50319]]

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.T08-0891 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0891  Safety Zone: Monongahela River, Monongahela, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Monongahela River from mile marker (MM) 31.5 to MM 32.5.
    (b) Effective date. This rule is effective from 8:30 p.m. through 
10:30 p.m. on November 17, 2017.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by 
the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh (COTP) or a 
designated representative.
    (2) Persons or vessels requiring entry into or passage through the 
zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated 
representative. The designated representative may be contacted at 412-
221-0807.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the COTP or a designated representative. Designated representatives 
include United States Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, and petty 
officers.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The Captain COTP 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.

    Dated: October 26, 2017.
L. McClain, Jr.,
Commander, Captain of the Port, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. 2017-23652 Filed 10-30-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P