SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia

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 has been notified that a Tall Ship will arrive at the Great Bridge Battlefield on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, and that it will fire blank cannon fire from the vessel while in the federal channel. Hazards from the cannon fire include being hit by dangerous projectiles. The Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with cannon fire are a safety concern for anyone within 250 yards of the vessel from which the canon is fired. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule, under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone from harm which might arise from the firing of blank cannons.

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. The Coast Guard was notified of this event on May 15, 2026, but we must establish this safety zone by June 19, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments.

In addition, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that there is good cause, due to a lack of time, for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register .

III. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes a safety zone which will be in effect from June 19 through June 21. It will only be subject to enforcement, however, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. on June 19, 2026, and on June 20, 2026, and June 21, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. on both days. The safety zone will reduce the likelihood of harm to people, vessels, and the environment from mishaps involving blank cannon fire. It will cover waters of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in the vicinity of the bridge on Battlefield Boulevard in Great Bridge, in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia. The coordinates of the safety zone are provided in the text of the regulation below. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated representative.

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, 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. 4321 et seq.), and have determined that this action is one of a ( printed page 29911) 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(c) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

91 FR 29910