00-17914. Safety Zone: Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Display, Thames River, New London, CT

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone for the Mashantucket Pequot Fireworks Display to be held on the Thames River, New London, CT on July 15, 2000. This action is needed to protect persons, facilities, vessels and others in the maritime community from the safety hazards associated with this fireworks display. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

This regulation is effective on July 15, 2000, from 8:55 p.m. until 10:10 p.m. In case of inclement weather, July 16, 2000 is the scheduled rain date for this event.

ADDRESSES:

Documents relating to this temporary final rule are available for inspection and copying at U.S. Coast Guard Group/Marine Safety Office Long Island Sound, 120 Woodward Avenue, New Haven, CT 06512. Normal office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Comments may also be faxed to this address. The fax number is [phone].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chief Chris Stubblefield, Group/MSO Long Island Sound, New Haven, Connecticut [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) will not be published for this regulation. Good cause exists for not publishing a NPRM and for making this regulation effective less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. Due to the fact that plans for this event were recently finalized, there was insufficiant time to draft and publish a NPRM. Any delay encountered in this regulation's effective date would be contrary to the public interest since immediate action is needed to protect the maritime public from the hazards associated with the fireworks display, which is intended for public entertainment.

However, we encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking CGD01-00-012 indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 8.5 by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.

Public Meeting

We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for a meeting by writing to Coast Guard Group/MSO Long Island Sound Command Center at the address under ADDRESSES explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

The Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Mashantucket, CT. is sponsoring a 30 minute fireworks display in the Thames River, New London, CT. The fireworks display will occur on July 15, 2000, from 9:25 p.m. until 9:55 p.m.. The safety zone covers all waters of the Thames River within a 1000 foot radius of the fireworks launching barges which will be located off New London, CT., in approximate positions; barge one, 41°−21′01.5″N, 072°−05′25″W, barge two, 41°−20′58″N, 072°−05′23″W, and barge three, 41°−20′53.5″N, 072°−05′21″W (NAD 1983). This zone is required to protect the maritime from the safety dangers associated with this 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 proposal 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 the Thames River and entry into this zone will be restricted for 75 minutes on July 15, 2000. Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting this section of Thames River, 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 proposal 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 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 final rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please call Chief Chris Stubblefield, telephone [phone].

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 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 action in accordance with the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132, and has determined that this regulations does not have federalism implications under that Order.

Unfunded Mandates

Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4), the Coast Guard must consider whether this 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 entities will be effected 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.

Taking of Private Property

This proposed rule would not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of E.O. 12988, Civil Justice reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

We have analyzed this proposed rule under E.O. 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.

Environment

The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this regulation 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 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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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

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 § 165.T01-012 to read as follows:

§ 165.T01-012;

Mashantucket Peqout Fireworks Display, Thames River, New London, CT.

(a) Location. The safety zone includes all waters of Thames River within a 1000 foot radius of the launch site located on the Thames River, New London, CT., in approximate positions: Barge one; 41°-21′01.5″N, 072°-05′25″W, Barge two: 41°-20′58″N, 072°-05′23″W, and Barge three; 41°-20′53.5″N, 072°-05′21″W (NAD 1983).

(b) Effective date. This section is effective on July 15, 2000 from 8:55 p.m. until 10:10 p.m. In case of inclement weather, July 16, 2000, is the scheduled rain date for this event.

(c)(1) Regulations. The general regulations covering safety zones contained in section 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. U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard Vessel via siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed.

Dated: June 16, 2000.

David P. Pekoske,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Group/Marine Safety Office Long Island Sound.