2019-09852. Safety Zone; Ohio River, Owensboro, KY  

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    AGENCY:

    Coast Guard, DHS.

    ACTION:

    Notice of proposed rulemaking.

    SUMMARY:

    The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters of the Ohio River, extending the entire width of the river, from mile marker (MM) 756.3 to MM 757.3. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Owensboro, Kentucky, during the Owensboro Convention Center fireworks display on June 15, 2019. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Ohio Valley 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 May 29, 2019.

    ADDRESSES:

    You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2019-0301 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further instructions on submitting comments.

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    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

    If you have questions about this proposed rulemaking, call or email MST2 Craig Colton, Sector Ohio Valley, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 502-779-5334, email secohv-wwm@uscg.mil.

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    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

    I. Table of Abbreviations

    CFR Code of Federal Regulations

    COTP Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley

    DHS Department of Homeland Security

    FR Federal Register

    MM Mile Marker

    NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

    §  Section

    U.S.C. United States Code

    II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    On April 1, 2019, the City of Owensboro notified the Coast Guard that it will be conducting a fireworks display from 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on June 15, 2019, for a private event at the Owensboro Convention Center. The fireworks are to be launched from a barge in the Ohio River at approximately mile marker 756.8. Hazards from firework displays include accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris. The Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) has determined that a Safety Zone is necessary to protect the public from potential hazards associated with the fireworks display.

    The purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of persons, vessels, and the marine environment on the navigable waters of the Ohio River before, during, and after the Owensboro Convention Center Fireworks Display. The Coast Guard is proposing this rulemaking under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).

    The Coast Guard encourages the public to participate in this proposed rulemaking through the comment process so that any necessary changes can be identified and implemented in a timely and efficient manner. The Coast Guard will address all public comments accordingly, whether through response, additional revision to the regulation, or otherwise.

    The Coast Guard is issuing this notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with a 15-day prior notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to section (b)(3) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553). This provision authorizes an agency to publish a rule in less than 30 days before its effective date for “good cause found and published with the rule.” Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for publishing this NPRM with a 15-day comment period because it is impractical to provide a 30-day comment period. The proposed regulated area is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and persons during the fireworks display. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM with a 30-day comment period because the safety zone must be established by June 15, 2019.

    III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP is proposing to establish a safety zone from mile marker (MM) 756.3 to MM 757.3 from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on June 15, 2019. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters of the Ohio River, extending the entire width of the river, between MM 756.3 and MM 757.3 in Owensboro, KY. The duration of the zone is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these navigable waters before, during, and after the scheduled 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. fireworks display. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this document.

    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 Start Printed Page 21303regulatory 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, location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. This proposed safety zone restricts transit on a one-mile stretch of the Ohio River for two hours on one day. Moreover, the Coast Guard would issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to Mariners, and Marine Safety Information Bulletins about this safety zone so that waterway users may plan accordingly for this short restriction on transit, and the rule would allow vessels to request permission to enter the regulated area.

    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 Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which guide 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 a safety zone lasting 2 hours that would prohibit entry to a one-mile stretch of the Ohio River on one day. Normally such actions 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 https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be submitted using https://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 https://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the docket, visit https://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 https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up Start Printed Page 21304for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is published.

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    List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    • Harbors
    • Marine Safety
    • Navigation (water)
    • Reporting and Recordkeeping Requirements
    • Security Measures
    • Waterways
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    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard is proposing to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

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    PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

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    1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

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    Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

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    2. Add § 165.T08-0301 to read as follows:

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    Safety zone; Ohio River, Owensboro, KY.

    (a) Location. All navigable waters of the Ohio River between mile markers (MM) 756.3 to MM 757.3 in Owensboro, KY.

    (b) 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 by VHF-FM radio channel 16 or phone at 1-800-253-7465. 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.

    (c) Enforcement period. This temporary safety zone will be enforced from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 15, 2019.

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    Dated: May 8, 2019.

    M.B. Zamperini,

    Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley.

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    [FR Doc. 2019-09852 Filed 5-13-19; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Document Information

Published:
05/14/2019
Department:
Coast Guard
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
2019-09852
Dates:
Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before May 29, 2019.
Pages:
21302-21304 (3 pages)
Docket Numbers:
Docket Number USCG-2019-0301
RINs:
1625-AA00: Safety Zone Regulations
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1625-AA00/safety-zone-regulations
Topics:
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways
PDF File:
2019-09852.Pdf
CFR: (1)
33 CFR 165.T08-0301