96-12867. Special Local Regulation: Fireworks Displays Within the First Coast Guard District  

  • [Federal Register Volume 61, Number 101 (Thursday, May 23, 1996)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 25835-25838]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 96-12867]
    
    
    
    ========================================================================
    Proposed Rules
                                                    Federal Register
    ________________________________________________________________________
    
    This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
    the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
    notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
    the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
    
    ========================================================================
    
    
    Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 101 / Thursday, May 23, 1996 / 
    Proposed Rules
    
    [[Page 25835]]
    
    
    
    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Coast Guard
    
    33 CFR Part 100
    
    [CGD01-96-011]
    RIN 2115-AE46
    
    
    Special Local Regulation: Fireworks Displays Within the First 
    Coast Guard District
    
    AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
    -----------------------------------------------------------------------
    
    SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local 
    regulations for annual fireworks displays that occur throughout the 
    First Coast Guard District. This regulation is necessary to control 
    vessel traffic within the immediate vicinity of the fireworks launch 
    sites and to ensure the safety of life and property during each event.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 6, 1996.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Commander (b), First Coast 
    Guard District, Captain John Foster Williams Federal Building, 408 
    Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110-3350, or may be hand delivered to Room 
    428 at the same address, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
    Friday, except federal holidays. Comments will become part of this 
    docket and will be available for inspection or copying at the above 
    address.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Benjamin M. 
    Algeo, Chief, Boating Affairs Branch, First Coast Guard District, (617) 
    223-8311.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    
    Request for Comments
    
        The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
    this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. Each 
    person submitting comments should include their name and address, 
    identify this notice (CGD01-96-011), the specific section of the 
    proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each 
    comment. Comments and attachments should be submitted on 8\1/2\'' x 
    11'' unbound paper in a format suitable for copying and electronic 
    filing. If that is not practical, a second copy of any bound material 
    is requested. Persons requesting acknowledgment of receipt of comments 
    should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. All 
    comments received during the comment period will be considered by the 
    Coast Guard and may change this proposal.
        The Coast Guard has no plans to hold a public hearing. Persons may 
    request a public hearing by writing to Commander (b), First Coast Guard 
    District at the address under ADDRESSES. The request should include 
    reasons why a hearing would be beneficial. If the Coast Guard 
    determines that oral presentations will aid this rulemaking, it will 
    hold a public hearing at a time and place announced by a later notice 
    in the Federal Register. Good cause exists for providing a comment 
    period of less than 30 days. Due to the date final information was 
    available concerning these events, the Coast Guard was unable to 
    publish this NPRM in time to provide a longer comment period. Due to 
    the need to establish regulations providing for the safety of these 
    events, which start on Memorial Day weekend, additional notice would be 
    impracticable, unnecessary, and contrary to the public interest.
    
    Discussion of Proposed Amendments
    
        Each year, organizations in the First District sponsor fireworks 
    displays in the same location during the same general time period. The 
    Coast Guard proposes to establish a special local regulation that 
    creates a regulated area surrounding the launch platform used during 
    each fireworks display listed in Table 1 of the new regulation. Table 1 
    provides dates and locations for the annual fireworks events. Each 
    event listed in Table 1 will use a barge or on-shore site as the 
    fireworks launch platform. Given the concentration of explosives at the 
    launch site, it is necessary to establish special local regulations to 
    control vessel movement within a 500 yard radius around the launch 
    platform to ensure the safety of persons and property at these events. 
    Coast Guard personnel on-scene may allow vessels within the 500 yard 
    radius should conditions permit. The Coast Guard will publish a notice 
    in the Federal Register each year which provides the exact dates and 
    times for these events.
    
    Regulatory Evaluation
    
        This proposal 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). Due to the short duration of each fireworks 
    display, the advance notice provided to the marine community, and the 
    small size of each regulated area, 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.
    
    Small Entities
    
        Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
    Coast Guard must consider the economic impact, on small entities, of a 
    rule for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking is required. 
    ``Small entities'' may include (1) small businesses and not-for-profit 
    organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
    dominant in their fields and (2) governmental jurisdictions with 
    populations of less than 50,000.
        For the reasons mentioned in the Regulatory Evaluation, the Coast 
    Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposal will not have 
    a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
    entities. If, however, you think that your business or organization 
    qualifies as a small entity and that this rule will have a significant 
    economic impact on your business or organization, please submit a 
    comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and in 
    what way and to what degree this rule will economically affect it.
    
    Collection of Information
    
        This proposal contains no collection of information requirements 
    under the
    
    [[Page 25836]]
    
    Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
    
    Federalism
    
        The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposal under the principles and 
    criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that 
    this proposal does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
    warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
    
    Environment
    
        The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impacts of this 
    proposal and concluded that, under paragraph 2.B.2.e.34(h) of COMDTINST 
    16475.1B, (as revised by 61 FR 13564, March 27, 1996) this proposal is 
    a special local regulation issued in conjunction with annual regattas 
    or marine parades and is categorically excluded from further 
    environmental documentation.
    
    List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
    
        Marine safety, Navigation (water), Records and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Waterways.
    
    Proposed Regulation
    
        For reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to 
    amend 33 CFR Part 100 as follows:
    
    PART 100--[AMENDED]
    
        1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as 
    follows.
    
        Authority: 33 USC 1233; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 100.35.
    
        2, A new section, Sec. 100.114, is added to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 100.114  First Coast Guard District Fireworks.
    
        (a) Regulated area. That area within 500 yards of the launch 
    platform for each fireworks display listed in Table 1 of this section.
    
    Table 1--Fireworks Displays
    
    1. Shooters Independence Day
    Sponsor: Shooters Waterfront Cafe USA
    Date: July 4
    Location: Providence River off India Point Park, Providence, RI
    2. Salute to Summer
    Sponsor: Naval Education and Training Center
    Date; Friday of Weekend preceding Labor Day holiday weekend
    Location: Narragansett Bay, East Passage, off Coasters Harbor Island, 
    Newport, RI
    3. Yarmouth-Dennis Fireworks
    Sponsor: Yarmouth-Dennis Chamber of Commerce
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Nantucket Sound, east of channel entrance to Bass River, 
    Yarmouth, MA
    4. Edgartown Fireworks
    Sponsor: Edgartown Firefighters Association
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Edgartown Harbor, Edgartown, MA
    5. City of New Bedford Fireworks
    Sponsor: City of New Bedford
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: New Bedford Harbor, New Bedford, MA
    6. Falmouth Fireworks
    Sponsor: Falmouth Fireworks Committee
    Date: July 4
    Location: Falmouth Harbor, .25 nm east of buoy #16, Falmouth, MA
    7. Bristol 4th of July Fireworks
    Sponsor: Bristol Fourth of July Committee
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Bristol Harbor, Bristol, RI
    8. Oyster Harbor Club Fourth of July Festival
    Sponsor: Oyster Harbor Club, Inc
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Tim's Cove, North Bay, Osterville, RI
    9. Town of Barnstable Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Barnstable
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Dunbar Point/Kalmus Beach, Barnstable, MA
    10. Onset Fireworks
    Sponsor: Prudential Commerce Onset Fire District
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Onset Harbor, Onset, MA
    11. Tiverton Waterfront Festival
    Sponsor: Tiverton Waterfront Festival Committee
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Grinnel's Beach, Sakonnet River, Tiverton, RI
    12. Marion Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Marion Fireworks Committee
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Silver Shell Beach, Marion, MA
    13. Wellfleet Fireworks
    Sponsor: Wellfleet Fireworks Committee
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Indian Neck Jetty, Wellfleet, MA
    14. Oaks Bluff Fireworks
    Sponsor: Oaks Bluff Fireman's Civic Association
    Date: Last two weeks in August
    Location: Oaks Bluff Beach, Oaks Bluff, MA
    15. Anniversary Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Chilmark
    Date: Weekend in September
    Location: Menemsha Beach, Chilmark, MA
    16. Fall River Celebrates America Fireworks
    Sponsor: Fall River Chamber of Commerce
    Date: Second Saturday in August
    Location: Taunton River, vicinity of buoy #17, Fall River, MA
    17. Fireworks on the Navesink
    Sponsor: Red Bank Fireworks Committee
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Navesink River, 4 nm WSW Oceanic Bridge, Red Bank, NJ
    18. Staten Island's 4th of July
    Sponsor: Borough of Staten Island
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Raritan Bay, vicinity of federal anchorages 44 and 45, Ward 
    Point Bend, NY/NJ
    19. Brick Founders Day Fireworks
    Sponsor: Brick Township Chamber of Commerce
    Date: First weekend in June
    Location: Metedeconk River, Windward Beach, Brick Township, NJ
    20. Brick Summerfest Fireworks
    Sponsor: Brick Township Chamber of Commerce
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Metedeconk River, Windward Beach, Brick Township, NJ
    21. First Night Fireworks
    Sponsor: First Night Inc.
    Date: January 1, upon the stroke of midnight
    Location: Boston Inner Harbor, Boston, MA
    22. Boston Harborfest Fireworks
    Sponsor: Harborfest Committee
    Date: Harborfest Week Celebration in June or first week in July
    Location: Boston Inner Harbor, Boston, MA
    23. Weymouth 4th of July Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Weymouth Harbormaster
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Weymouth Fore River, Weymouth, MA
    24. Gloucester Fireworks
    Sponsor: Gloucester Chamber of Commerce
    Date: Labor Day holiday weekend
    Location: Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester, MA
    25. Walsh's Fireworks
    Sponsor: Mr. Patrick Walsh
    
    [[Page 25837]]
    
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Union River Bay, ME
    26. Belfast Fireworks
    Sponsor: Belfast Bay Festival Committee
    Date: Third Saturday in July
    Location: Belfast Bay, ME
    27. Bangor Fireworks
    Sponsor: Bangor 4th of July Corporation
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Bangor/Brewer waterfront, ME
    28. Bar Harbor Fireworks
    Sponsor: Bar Harbor Chamber of Commerce
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Bar Harbor/Bar Island, ME
    29. Summer Music Fireworks
    Sponsor: Summer Music Inc.
    Date: Weekend during month of August
    Location: Niantic River, Harkness Park, Waterford, CT
    30. Montauk Independence Day
    Sponsor: Montauk Chamber of Commerce
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Montauk Town Beach, Montauk, NY
    31. Koch Industrial Fireworks
    Sponsor: Koch Industries
    Date: Last weekend in August or first weekend in September
    Location: Shinnecock Bay, South Hampton, NY
    32. Norwich Harbor Day Fireworks
    Sponsor: Harbor Day Committee
    Date: Last Sunday in August
    Location: Norwich Harbor, off American Wharf Marina, Norwich, CT
    33. City of Norwalk Fireworks
    Sponsor: Norwalk Recreation and Parks Department
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Calf Pasture Beach, Long Island Sound, Norwalk, CT
    34. Boys Harbor Fireworks Extravaganza
    Sponsor: Boys Harbor Inc.
    Date: Second or third weekend in July
    Location: Three Mile Harbor, East Hampton, NY
    35. Taste of Italy
    Sponsor: Italian Heritage Committee
    Date: Weekend following Labor Day holiday weekend
    Location: Norwich Harbor, off Norwich Marina, Norwich, CT
    36. Hartford Riverfest
    Sponsor: July 4th Riverfest, Inc.
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Connecticut River, Hartford, CT
    37. Fairfield Aerial Fireworks
    Sponsor: Fairfield Park Commission
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Jennings Beach, Long Island Sound, Fairfield, CT
    38. Middletown Fireworks
    Sponsor: City of Middletown
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Connecticut River, Middletown, CT
    39. Thames River Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Groton
    Date: Weekend following Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Thames River, off Electric Boat, Groton, CT
    40. Stratford Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Stratford
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Short Beach, Stratford, CT
    41. Hartford Riverfront Regatta
    Sponsor: Riverfront Recapture Inc.
    Date: First or second weekend in August
    Location: Connecticut River, Hartford, CT
    42. Subfest Fireworks
    Sponsor: U.S. Naval Submarine Base
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Thames River, Groton, CT
    43. Old Lyme Fireworks
    Sponsor: Mr. James R. Rice
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Sound View Beach, Long Island Sound, Old Lyme, CT
    44. Norwich American Wharf Fireworks
    Sponsor: American Wharf Marina
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Norwich Harbor, Norwich, CT
    45. Wesport P.A.L. Fireworks
    Sponsor: Westport Police Athletic League
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Compo Beach, Westport, CT
    46. Stamford Fireworks
    Sponsor: City of Stamford
    Date: Date within first two weeks of July
    Location: Westcott Cove, Stamford, CT
    47. First Night Mystic
    Sponsor: Mystic Community Center
    Date: December 31
    Location: Mystic River, Mystic, CT
    48. Cow Harbor Day Fireworks
    Sponsor: Village of Northport Harbor
    Date: Date within last two weekends of September
    Location: Sand Pit, Northport Harbor, Northport, NY
    49. Jones Beach State Park Fireworks
    Sponsor: Long Island State Park Administration Headquarters
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Fishing Pier, Jones Beach State Park, Wantagh, NY
    50. Change Fireworks
    Sponsor: Change, Medford, NY
    Date: Date within first two weekends of August
    Location: Short Beach, Nissequogue, NY
    51. Devon Yacht Club Fireworks
    Sponsor: Devon Yacht Club, Amagansett, NY
    Date: Date within the first week of July
    Location: Devon Yacht Club, Amagansett, NY
    52. Hempstead Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Hempstead, NY
    Date: Date within the first week of July
    Location: Point Lookout, Hempstead, NY
    53. Town of Babylon Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Babylon, NY
    Date: Date within the first two weeks of July
    Location: Nezeras Island, Babylon, NY
    54. American Legion Post 83 Fireworks
    Sponsor: Town of Branford American Legion Post 83
    Date: Date within the first week of July
    Location: Branford Point, Branford, CT
    55. U.S. Open Fireworks
    Sponsor: Barons Cove Inn, Sag Harbor, NY
    Date: Date within the middle two weeks of June
    Location: Barons Cove, Sag Harbor, NY
    56. Bayville Crescent Club Fireworks
    Sponsor: Bayville Crescent Club, Bayville, NY
    Date: Independence Day holiday weekend
    Location: Cooper Bluff, Cove Neck, NY
    57. Yampol Family Fireworks
    Sponsor: Azurite Corp. LTD., Fort Lauderdale, FL
    Date: Date within the last weekend of May
    Location: Barons Cove, Sag Harbor, NY
    
        (b) Special Local Regulations.
        (1) The Coast Guard patrol commander may delay, modify, or cancel 
    the fireworks display as conditions or circumstances require.
        (2) No person or vessel may enter, transit, or remain within the 
    regulated area during the effective period of regulation unless 
    authorized by the Coast Guard patrol commander.
        (3) Vessels encountering emergencies which require transit through 
    the regulated area should contact the Coast Guard patrol commander on 
    VHF Channel 16. In the event of an emergency, the Coast Guard patrol 
    commander may authorize a vessel to transit through the regulated area 
    with a Coast Guard designated escort.
        (4) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
    the Coast Guard on-scene patrol commander. On-scene patrol personnel 
    may include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the U.S. Coast 
    Guard. Upon hearing five or more short
    
    [[Page 25838]]
    
    blasts from a U.S. Coast Guard vessel, the operator of a vessel shall 
    proceed as directed. Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary may also be 
    present to inform vessel operators of this regulation and other 
    applicable laws.
        (c) Effective dates. This section is in effect for each event 
    listed in Table 1 on dates and times specified in a Federal Register 
    notice.
    
        Dated: May 10, 1996.
    J.L. Linnon,
    Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, First Coast Guard District.
    [FR Doc. 96-12867 Filed 5-22-96; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
    
    

Document Information

Published:
05/23/1996
Department:
Coast Guard
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
96-12867
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before June 6, 1996.
Pages:
25835-25838 (4 pages)
Docket Numbers:
CGD01-96-011
RINs:
2115-AE46: Regatta Regulations
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2115-AE46/regatta-regulations
PDF File:
96-12867.pdf
CFR: (1)
33 CFR 100.114