83 FR 24024 - Safety Zone; Fireworks, Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 101 (May 24, 2018)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for multiple fireworks events launched in the vicinity of Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for waters of the Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA. Establishment of this safety zone is necessary to enhance safety of life on navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after these fireworks events. During the enforcement periods, no vessel may enter in or transit this regulated area without approval from the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay or a designated representative.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 101 (Thursday, May 24, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 24024-24026]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-11082]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0286]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Fireworks, Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
multiple fireworks events launched in the vicinity of Penn's Landing, 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for waters of the Delaware River, 
Philadelphia, PA. Establishment of this safety zone is necessary to 
enhance safety of life on navigable waters immediately prior to, 
during, and immediately after these fireworks events. During the 
enforcement periods, no vessel may enter in or transit this regulated 
area without approval from the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from May 24, 2018 through May 27, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0286 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 Petty Officer Edmund Ofalt, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector 
Delaware Bay, Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone 
(215) 271-4814, email [email protected].

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

    On March 1, 2018, the Coast Guard was notified of fireworks events 
planned for May 24, 25, 26, and 27, 2018. In response, on May 2, 2018, 
the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled 
Safety Zone; Fireworks, Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA (83 FR 19189). 
There we stated why we issued the NPRM, and invited comments on our 
proposed regulatory action related to this fireworks display. During 
the comment period that ended May 9, 2018, we received no comments.
    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. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable because the safety zone needs to be 
established prior to May 24, 2018.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1231. The COTP Delaware Bay has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the fireworks to be used in fireworks displays from May 
24 through May 27, 2018 will be a safety concern for anyone within the 
area defined later in this document. The purpose of this rule is to 
ensure safety of vessels and the navigable waters in the safety zone 
before, during, and after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM published May 
2, 2018. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from 
the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a safety zone on the Delaware River adjacent 
to Penns Landing in Philadelphia, PA, May 24, 2018, through May 27, 
2018. The safety zone will be enforced from approximately 8 p.m. to 11 
p.m. on nights on which fireworks are being displayed from a barge in 
the Delaware River. These fireworks displays may be held on May 24th, 
25th, 26th, and 27th, or on only some of these dates. Notification of 
enforcement dates and times will be published in the Coast Guard 
District 5 Local Notice to Mariners and broadcast via Broadcast Notice 
to Mariners. The safety zone will include all navigable waters of 
Delaware River, adjacent to Penns Landing, Philadelphia, PA, bounded 
from shoreline to shoreline, bounded on the south by a line running 
east to west from points along the shoreline connecting at latitude 
39[deg]56'31.2'' N, longitude 075[deg]08'28.1'' W; thence westward to 
latitude 39[deg]56'29''.1 N, longitude 075[deg]07'56.5'' W, and bounded 
on the north by the southern edge of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge where 
it crosses the Delaware River.
    Access to this safety zone will be restricted during the specified 
enforcement dates and time periods. Vessels may not take on bunkers or 
conduct lightering operations inside the zone during times of 
enforcement. Only vessels or persons specifically authorized by the 
COTP Delaware Bay or designated representative may enter or remain in 
the regulated area. Requests to enter or remain in the zone will be 
required to be submitted to the COTP Delaware Bay, or his designated 
representative via VHF-FM channel 16

[[Page 24025]]

or 217-271-4807. Vessels engaged in law enforcement, servicing of aids 
to navigation, and emergency response will be exempt from these 
requirements.

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 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, duration and time of day of the safety zone. The proposed 
safety zone will impact waters affected by this rule on May 24, 25, 26, 
and 27, 2018 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. During this time of day commercial 
and recreational traffic is normally low. Notifications of enforcement 
dates and times will be made to the maritime community via Broadcast 
Notice to Mariners and Local Notice to Mariners so that plans may be 
adjusted accordingly. Notifications will be updated as necessary, to 
keep the maritime community informed of the status of the safety 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 received no comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rulemaking. 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.

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 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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 that will only be enforced for a short duration and 
excludes vessels from entry into or remaining within a specified area 
on the Delaware River. It is categorically excluded from further review 
under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 
023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. 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.

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 proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

[[Page 24026]]

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.T05-0286 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0286   Safety Zone; Safety Zone; Fireworks, Delaware 
River, Philadelphia PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of Delaware River, adjacent to Penn's Landing, Philadelphia, PA, 
bounded from shoreline to shoreline, bounded on the south by a line 
running east to west from points along the shoreline commencing at 
latitude 39[deg]56'31.2'' N, longitude 075[deg]08'28.1'' W; thence 
westward to latitude 39[deg]56'29.1'' N, longitude 075[deg]07'56.5'' W, 
and bounded on the north by the Benjamin Franklin Bridge where it 
crosses the Delaware River. These coordinates are based on the 1984 
World Geodedic System (WGS 84).
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative 
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard petty 
officer, warrant or commissioned officer on board a Coast Guard vessel 
or on board a federal, state, or local law enforcement vessel assisting 
the Captain of the Port, Delaware Bay in the enforcement of the safety 
zone.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in 
subpart C of this part, you 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 or remain in the zone, contact the 
COTP or the COTP's representative via VHF-FM channel 16 or 215-271-
4807. 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) No vessel may take on bunkers or conduct lightering operations 
within the safety zone during its enforcement period(s).
    (4) This section applies to all vessels except those engaged in law 
enforcement, aids to navigation servicing, and emergency response 
operations.
    (d) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 
and enforcement of the safety zone by Federal, State, and local 
agencies.
    (e) Enforcement period. This zone will be enforced from 
approximately 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. on nights on which fireworks are being 
displayed from a barge beginning May 24 through May 27, 2018. Starting 
and ending times for the enforcement of the safety zone will be 
broadcast via Broadcast Notice to Mariners and published in the weekly 
Local Notice to Mariners.

    Dated: May 18, 2018.
Scott E. Anderson,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Delaware Bay.
[FR Doc. 2018-11082 Filed 5-23-18; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P