The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Keweenaw Waterway in Hancock, MI. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, an...
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Keweenaw Waterway in Hancock, MI. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with the Bridgefest Regatta Fireworks Display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Unit Duluth, or their designated representative.
DATES:
This rule is effective from 10 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026.
If you have questions about this rule, contact LT Zachary Fedak, Marine Safety Unit Duluth Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 206-815-7117 (option 6), or email
Zachary.A.Fedak@uscg.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
§ Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard received notification that an organization will be launching fireworks from a barge on the Keweenaw Waterway near Hancock, MI on June 13, 2026. Hazards from fireworks displays include accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris. The Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Duluth (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with fireworks are a safety concern for anyone within 1120 feet of the fireworks display. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, which is needed to protect participants, spectators, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone.
Because of these potential hazards, the Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and comment. As is authorized by 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. We must establish this safety zone by June 13, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone from 10 p.m. through 11:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters within 1120 yards of the fireworks barge on the Keweenaw Waterway in Hancock, MI. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated representative. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter the zone during this time, unless authorized by the COTP.
IV. 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.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The regulatory flexibility analysis provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions,
( printed page 24126)
contact the person listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 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.
B. 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).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that Order.
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.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation) by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector.
E. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321et seq.), 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 is a safety zone. 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. 1. A Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination will be available in the docket.
(a)
Location.
The following area is a safety zone: All waters of the Keweenaw Waterway in Hancock, MI, from surface to bottom, within the arc of a circle with a radius of no more than 1120 feet from the fireworks launch site in front of the City of Houghton Public Pier at position 47°07′22″ N, 088°24′56″ W. These coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System (WGS 84).
(b)
Definitions.
As used in this section,
designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Duluth (COTP) 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, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative on VHF-FM channel 16. 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.
(d)
Enforcement period.
This section will be enforced from 10 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on June 13, 2026.
J.P. Botti,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Duluth.