2011-14781. Safety Zones; Fireworks Displays in the Sector Columbia River Area of Responsibility

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing safety zones on the Columbia River, Willamette River, Lewis River, and Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Chetco River for 4th of July fireworks displays. The safety zones are necessary to help ensure the safety of the maritime public during the displays and will do so by prohibiting persons and vessels from entering the safety zones unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representatives.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 8 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on July 2, 2011 through July 4, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0448 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2011-0448 in the “Keyword” box, and then clicking “Search.” They are also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary rule, call or e-mail MST1 Jaime Sayers, Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard MSU Portland; telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those procedures are “impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because to do so would be contrary to public interest since the event will have taken place by the time the notice could be published and comments taken.

Background and Purpose

Fireworks displays create hazardous conditions for the maritime public because of the large number of vessels that congregate near the displays as well as the noise, falling debris, and explosions that occur during the event. The establishment of a safety zone helps ensure the safety of the maritime public by prohibiting persons and vessels from coming too close to the fireworks display and other associated hazards.

Discussion of Rule

This rule establishes four safety zones. The four safety zones are on the Columbia River, Willamette River, Lewis River, and the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Chetco River in the specific locations detailed in the rule. All persons and vessels will be prohibited from entering the safety zones during the dates and times they are effective unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

Regulatory Analyses

We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Regulatory Planning and Review

This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. The Coast Guard has made this determination based on the fact that the safety zones will only be in effect for three hours on one day in July and maritime traffic may be permitted to transit them with permission from the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule may affect the following entities some of which may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels wishing to transit the safety zones established by this rule. The rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities, however, because the safety zones will only be in effect for three hours on one day in July and maritime traffic may be permitted to transit them with permission from the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.

Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

Collection of Information

This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.

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 rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

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

Indian Tribal Governments

This rule does not have Tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it does 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.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a “significant energy action” under that order because it is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction. This rule involves the establishment of safety zones. An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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 amends 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; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. Add § 165.T13-0448 to read as follows:

§ 165.T13-0448

Safety Zones; Fireworks Displays in the Sector Columbia River Area of Responsibility

(a) Location. The following are safety zones:

(1) Stevenson, Washington Fireworks Display: All waters of the Columbia River in the vicinity of Stevenson, Washington within the following points: starting from the shore at 45°41′26.70″ N/121°53′36.80″ W; thence continuing to 45°41′24.62″ N/121°53′40.85″ W; thence continuing to 45°41′18.10″ N/121°53′27.86″ W; thence continuing to 45°41′25.32″ N/121°53′19.42″ W; thence continuing to 45°41′30.32″ N/121°53′27.14″ W; thence continuing back to the starting point at 45°41′26.70″ N/121°53′36.80″ W.

(2) The Lynch Company Fireworks Display, West Linn, Oregon: All waters of the Willamette River in the vicinity of West Linn, Oregon within the following points: starting from the shore at 45°23′39.66″ N/122°37′56.32″ W; thence continuing to 45°23′43.51″ N/122°37′49.01″ W; thence continuing to 45°23′05.46″ N/122°37′30.18″ W; thence continuing to 45°23′09.02″ N/122°37′17.54″ W; thence continuing back to the starting point at 45°23′39.66″ N/122°37′56.32″ W.

(3) The Pekin Ferry Road Fireworks Display, Lewis River, Washington: All waters of the Lewis River in the vicinity of Ridgefield, Washington within the following points: starting from the shore at 45°52′18.26″ N/122°44′14.68″ W; thence continuing to 45°52′12.47″ N/122°44′17.27″ W; thence continuing to 45°52′08.15″ N/122°43′39.61″ W; thence continuing to 45°52′04.55″ N/122°43′43.28″ W; thence continuing back to the starting point at 45°52′18.26″ N/122°44′14.68″ W.

(4) Brookings, Oregon Fireworks Display: All waters of the Pacific Ocean in the vicinity of the mouth of the Chetco River within the following points: the tip of the south jetty of the Chetco River (Point 1), extending offshore to the Chetco River Entrance Lighted Bell Buoy 2 (Point 2), and returning from point 2 to a point on the shore south of the jetty (Point 3). The latitude and longitudes of the three points are: Point 1: 42°02′37.43″ N/124° 16′14.66″ W, Point 2: 42°02′05.12″ N/124°16′36.54″ W, and Point 3: 42°02′17.70″ N/124°15′46.01″ W.

(b) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 33 CFR part 165, Subpart C, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the safety zone created by this section without the permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. Designated representatives are Coast Guard Personnel authorized by the Captain of the Port to grant persons or vessels permission to enter or remain in the safety zone created by this section. See 33 CFR part 165, Subpart C, for additional information and requirements.

(c) Enforcement period. The safety zones created by this section will be in effect as follows:

(1) Stevenson, Washington, Fireworks Display: 8 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on July 4, 2011.

(2) The Lynch Company Fireworks Display, West Linn, Oregon: 8 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on July 3, 2011.

(3) The Pekin Ferry Road Fireworks Display, Lewis River, Washington: 8 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on July 2, 2011.

(4) Brookings, Oregon Fireworks Display: will be enforced from 8 p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on July 4, 2011.

Dated: June 3, 2011.

D.E. Kaup,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Columbia River.