The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Lake Michigan near Milwaukee, WI. This action is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and th...
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Lake Michigan near Milwaukee, WI. This action is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a drone display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or their designated representative.
DATES:
This rule is effective from 8:30 p.m. through 10:30 p.m. on July 3, 2026.
If you have questions about this rule, contact Lieutenant Commander Jessica Anderson, Sector Lake Michigan Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 414-747-7182, or email:
D09-SMB-SECLAKEMICHIGAN-WWM@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 Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard received notification that a drone display will be launched from McKinley Beach on Lake Michigan near Milwaukee, WI. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Lake Michigan has determined that potential hazards associated with the drone display are a safety concern for anyone within a half mile of the display.
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 July 3, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments.
For the same reason, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause exists 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 from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 3, 2026. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters of Lake Michigan within the following points: Point 1 at 43°3.2233′ N, 087°52.826′ W; thence to Point 2 at 43°3.0512′ N, 087°52.441′ W; thence to Point 3 at 43°2.9374′ N, 087°52.852′ W; thence to Point 4 at 43°3.0276′ N, 087°52.965′ W; thence returning to Point 1. The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable waters before, during, and after the scheduled drone display. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter the zone during this time, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.
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.
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. 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
( printed page 30496)
Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket.
(a)
Location.
The following area is a safety zone: All navigable waters of Lake Michigan, in an area that is enclosed by a line connecting the following points: starting at 43°3.2233′ N, 087°52.826′ W; thence to 43°3.0512′ N, 087°52.441′ W; thence to 43°2.9374′ N, 087°52.852′ W; thence to 43°3.0276′ N, 087°52.965′ W; thence returning to the point of origin. These coordinates are based on the North American Datum 83 (NAD 83).
(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 Lake Michigan (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 or by telephone at (414) 747-7182. 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 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on July 3, 2026.
Rhianna N. Macon,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Lake Michigan.