2018-00652. Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard proposes to establish two temporary safety zones for multiple locations and dates within the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans Zone. These safety zones are necessary to protect persons and vessels from potential safety hazards associated with fireworks displays on or over navigable waterways. Entry into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans (COTP) or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

DATES:

Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before March 19, 2018.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2017-1058 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions about this proposed rulemaking, call or email Lieutenant Commander (LCDR) Howard Vacco, Sector New Orleans, US Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

§ Section

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary safety zones for the following fireworks displays:

(1) On November 7, 2017, the New Orleans Tourism & Marketing Corporation notified the Coast Guard that it would be conducting a fireworks display from 7:45 p.m. through 8:45 p.m. on May 25, 2018. The fireworks are to be launched from a barge on the Lower Mississippi River at approximate mile marker (MM) 95.9, above Head of Passes, New Orleans, LA.

(2) On March 14, 2017, the NOLA 2018 Foundation notified the Coast Guard that it would be conducting a fireworks display from 8 p.m. through 8:20 p.m. on May 6, 2018. The fireworks are to be launched from a barge on the Lower Mississippi River at approximate MM 95.4, above Head of Passes, New Orleans, LA.

The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of vessels on the navigable waters within a one-mile range of the fireworks barge before, during, and after the scheduled event. The Coast Guard proposes this rulemaking under authority in 33 U.S.C. 1231.

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

The COTP proposes to establish two temporary safety zones within the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans (COTP) Zone on two different dates and locations. Both safety zones will encompass a one-mile stretch of river with a duration lasting no more than one hour. The duration of the zones is intended to ensure the safety of vessels on these navigable waters before, during, and after the scheduled fireworks displays. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. The proposed zones are as follows:

(1) Bayou Country Music Fest: a safety zone from 7:45 p.m. through 8:45 p.m. on May 25, 2018. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River between MM 95.4 and MM 96.4, above Head of Passes.

(2) NOLA Tricentennial 2018 Jazz and Heritage Fest: A safety zone from 8 p.m. through 9 p.m. on May 6, 2018. This safety zone would cover all navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River between MM 95 and MM 96, above Head of Passes.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

We developed this proposed 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 and we discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This NPRM has not been designated a “significant regulatory action,” under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.

This regulatory action determination is based on the size and short duration of the waterway closure, which would remain in effect for one hour on a one-mile section of the waterway. In addition, vessel traffic seeking to transit the areas would be able to seek permission from the COTP or his designated representative to do so.

B. Impact on Small Entities

The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on any vessel owner or operator.

If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it.

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule. If the rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

This proposed rule would not call for a new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 13132.

Also, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would 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. If you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made a preliminary determination 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 proposed rule involves two safety zones lasting one hour that would prohibit entry within a one-mile section of the Lower Mississippi River. They are categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A preliminary Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed rule.

G. Protest Activities

The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places, or vessels.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, and will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation.

We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using http://www.regulations.gov,, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions.

We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the docket, visit http://www.regulations.gov/​privacyNotice.

Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket, and all public comments, will be in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is published.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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

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

PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

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, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. Add § 165.T08-1058 to read as follows:

§ 165.T08-1058

Safety Zones; Lower Mississippi River, New Orleans, LA

(a) Safety Zones. The following areas are a safety zone:

(1) Bayou Country Music Fest, New Orleans, LA.

(i) Location: All navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River between mile marker (MM) 95.4 and MM 96.4, above Head of Passes.

(ii) Effective Period: This rule is effective from 7:45 p.m. through 8:45 p.m. on May 25, 2018.

(2) NOLA Tricentennial 2018 Jazz and Heritage Fest.

(i) Location: All navigable waters of the Lower Mississippi River between mile marker (MM) 94 and MM 95, above Head of Passes.

(ii) Effective Period: This rule is effective from 8 p.m. through 9 p.m. on May 6, 2018.

(b) Regulation s. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in § 165.23 of this part, entry into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans (COTP) or a designated representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector New Orleans.

(2) Vessels requiring entry into this safety zone must request permission from the COTP or a designated representative. They may be contacted on VHF-FM Channel 16 or 67.

(3) Persons and vessels permitted to enter these safety zones must transit at their slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful directions issued by the COTP or the designated representative.

(c) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public through Broadcast Notices to Mariners of any changes in the planned schedule.

Dated: January 11, 2018.

Wayne R. Arguin,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans.