83 FR 29687 - Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 123 (June 26, 2018)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 94 to MM 95 above Head of Passes. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment near Algiers Point, New Orleans, LA, during a fireworks display on June 30, 2018. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans or a designated representative.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 123 (Tuesday, June 26, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29687-29689]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-13644]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0331]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for 
certain navigable waters of the

[[Page 29688]]

Mississippi River from mile marker (MM) 94 to MM 95 above Head of 
Passes. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of persons, 
vessels, and the marine environment near Algiers Point, New Orleans, 
LA, during a fireworks display on June 30, 2018. This regulation 
prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans or a 
designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8:45 p.m. through 10 p.m. on June 
30, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0331 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 Lieutenant Commander Howard Vacco, Sector New Orleans, 
U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 504-365-2281, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
MM Mile marker
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    On April 4, 2018, AFX Pro, LLC, notified the Coast Guard that it 
would be conducting a fireworks display from 10 p.m. through 10:45 p.m. 
on June 30, 2018, for a wedding celebration. The fireworks are to be 
launched from a barge in the Mississippi River at the approximate mile 
marker (MM) 94.5 above Head of Passes near Algiers Point, New Orleans, 
LA. In response, on April 17, 2018, the Coast Guard published a notice 
of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi 
River, New Orleans, LA (83 FR 16817). 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 17, 
2018, we received one comment.

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 Sector New Orleans (COTP) has determined 
that potential hazards associated with the fireworks to be used in this 
June 30, 2018 display will be a safety concern for anyone within a one-
mile section of the river. The purpose of this rule is to ensure safety 
of persons, vessels, and the marine environment before, during, and 
after the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received one comment on our NPRM published April 
17, 2018. The comment was unrelated to the substance of this rule. 
Therefore, no changes were made to the regulatory text of the final 
rule based on the comment.
    However, on April 18, 2018, AFX Pro, LLC notified the Coast Guard 
that the fireworks display would begin at 9 p.m. instead of 9.45 p.m. 
and end at 10 p.m. instead of 11 p.m., as we originally published in 
the NPRM. Therefore, the regulatory text of this rule updates the 
effective period in the NPRM to 8:45 p.m. through 10 p.m.
    This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 8:45 p.m. 
through 10 p.m. on June 30, 2018. The safety zone will cover all 
navigable waters of the Mississippi River above Head of Passes between 
mile markers (MM) 94 and 95. The duration of the zone is intended to 
ensure the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment 
before, during, and after the scheduled fireworks display. No vessel or 
person is permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. A designated 
representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. 
Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control of USCG 
Sector New Orleans. Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must 
request permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They 
may be contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67 or by telephone at (504) 
365-2200. Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or a designated representative. The COTP 
or a designated representative will inform the public through Broadcast 
Notices to Mariners of any changes in the planned schedule.

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 and 
duration of the temporary safety zone. This temporary safety zone is 
for only one hour and fifteen minutes on a one-mile section of the 
river. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners (BNM) via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the 
rule allows vessels to seek permission to enter 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 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 
IV.A above, this rule would 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.

[[Page 29689]]

    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 lasting one hour and fifteen minutes that will prohibit 
entry between mile marker 94 and mile marker 95 on the Lower 
Mississippi River above Head of Passes. 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 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.T08-0331 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T08-0331   Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, 
LA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable 
waters of the Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA from mile marker 
(MM) 94 to MM 95 above Head of Passes.
    (b) Effective period. This section is effective from 8:45 p.m. 
through 10 p.m. on June 30, 2018.
    (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 Sector New Orleans (COTP) or 
designated representative. A designated representative is a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard 
assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector New 
Orleans.
    (2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request 
permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be 
contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67 or by telephone at (504) 365-2200.
    (3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter this safety zone must 
transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful 
directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.
    (d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative 
will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners and Local 
Notices to Mariners of any changes in the planned schedule.

    Dated: June 12, 2018.
K.M. Luttrell,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans.
[FR Doc. 2018-13644 Filed 6-25-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P