Safety Zone: Groton Long Point Yacht Club Fireworks Display, Main Beach, Groton Long Point, CT

Regulatory History

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) and for making this rule effective in less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The sponsor of the event did not provide the Coast Guard with the final details for the event in sufficient time to publish a NPRM or a final rule 30 days in advance. The delay encountered if normal rulemaking procedures were followed would effectively cancel the event. Cancellation of this event is contrary to the public interest since the fireworks display is for the benefit of the public.

Background and Purpose

The Groton Long Point Yacht Club, of Groton Long Point, CT, is sponsoring a 20-minute fireworks display off the main beach in Groton Long Point, CT. The fireworks display will occur on July 17, 1999, from 9:30 p.m. until 9:50 p.m. The safety zone covers all waters of Long Island Sound within a 600-foot radius of the fireworks-launching barge, which will be located off of the main beach in Groton Long Point, CT, in approximate position 41 deg.-18.5' N, 072 deg.-02.18' W (NAD 1983). This zone is necessary to protect the maritime community from the hazards associated with the fireworks display. Entry into or movement within this zone will be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his on-scene representative.

Regulatory Evaluation

This temporary final rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. It has been exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget under that Order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040; February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. This safety zone involves only a portion of Long Island Sound, and entry into this zone will be restricted for only 65 minutes, on July 17, 1999. Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting this section of Long Island Sound, the effect of this regulation will not be significant for several reasons: the duration of the event is limited; the event is at a late hour; all vessel traffic may safely pass around this safety zone; and extensive, advance maritime advisories will be made.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Coast Guard considered whether this temporary final rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small entities'' include independently owned and operated small businesses that are not dominant in their field and (2) governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. For the reasons discussed under the Regulatory Evaluation above, the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this rule will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under subsection 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), the Coast Guard wants to assist small entities in understanding this temporary final rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If your small business or organization would be affected by this rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please call LCDR T.J. Walker, telephone (203) 468-4444. The Ombudsman of Regulatory Enforcement for Small Business and Agriculture, and 10 Regional Fairness Boards, were established to receive comments from small businesses about enforcement by Federal agencies. The Ombudsman will annually evaluate such enforcement and rate each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on enforcement by the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888- 734-3247).

Collection of Information

This temporary final rule contains no collection-of-information requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

The Coast Guard has analyzed this temporary final rule in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and has determined that it does not raise sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Unfunded Mandates

Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4), the Coast Guard must consider whether this temporary final rule will result in an annual expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in aggregate, of $100 million (adjusted annually for inflation). If so, the Act requires that a reasonable number of regulatory alternatives be considered, and that, from those alternatives, the least costly, most cost-effective, or least burdensome alternative that achieves the objective of the rule be selected. No State, local, or tribal government will be affected by this rule, so this rule will not result in annual or aggregate costs of $100 million or more. Therefore, the Coast Guard is exempt from any further regulatory requirements under the Unfunded Mandates Act.

Environment

The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this temporary final rule and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of Commandant Instruction, M 16475.C, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. A written Categorical Exclusion Determination is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under Addresses.

Other Executive Orders on the Regulatory Process

In addition to the statutes and Executive Orders already addressed in this preamble, the Coast Guard considered the following executive orders in developing this temporary final rule and reached the following conclusions: E.O. 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights. This final rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under this Order. E.O. 12875, Enhancing the Intergovernmental Partnership. This final rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of this Order to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden. E.P. 13405, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This final rule is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an environmental risk to safety disproportionately affecting children.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reports and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

Regulation

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

PART 165--[AMENDED]

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(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46. Section 165.100 is also issued under authority of Sec. 311, Pub. L. 105-383.

2. Add temporary Sec. 165.T01-CGD1-039 to read as follows:

Sec. 165.T01-CGD1-039 Groton Long Point Yacht Club Fireworks Display, Main Beach, Groton Long Point, CT

(a) Location. The safety zone includes all waters of Long Island sound within a 600-foot radius of the launch site located in Long Island Sound 600 feet south of Main Beach, Groton Long Point, CT. in approximate position 41 deg.-18'.05 N, 072 deg.-02' .08 W (NAD 1983). (b) Effective date. This section is effective on July 17, 1999, from 9:00 p.m. until 10:05 p.m. In case of inclement weather, July 18, 1999, is the alternative date for this event. (c)(1) Regulations. The general regulations covering safety zones contained in Sec. 165.23 of this part apply. (2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on-scene patrol personnel. Among these personnel are commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. P. K. Mitchell, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound. [FR Doc. 99-12954 Filed 5-20-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-M