E9-17104. Safety Zone; Norfolk Tides Post-Game Fireworks Displays, Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the Elizabeth River in the vicinity of Harbor Park, Norfolk, VA in support of the post-game fireworks displays over the Elizabeth River. This action will protect the maritime public on the Elizabeth River from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 9 p.m. on July 2, 2009 until 10:30 p.m. on September 4, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket USCG-2009-0274 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, selecting the Advanced Docket Search option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0274 in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in the Docket ID column. This material is 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 LT Tiffany Duffy, Chief Waterways Management Division, Sector Hampton Roads, Coast Guard; 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

On May 1, 2009, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled Safety Zone; Norfolk Tides Post-Game Fireworks Displays, Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA in the Federal Register (74 FR 083). We received no comments on the proposed rule. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.

Background and Purpose

Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads has been notified that fireworks displays are scheduled to occur after certain Norfolk Tides home baseball games. Although these displays are fired from land, a portion of the fallout zone is over the Elizabeth River. 33 CFR part 165 subpart C describes a safety zone “as a water area, shore area, or water and shore area to which for safety or environmental purposes, access is limited to authorized persons, vehicles or vessels.” Due to the need to protect mariners and spectators from the hazards associated with fireworks displays, the Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone limiting access to the Elizabeth River within a 210-foot radius of the fireworks launching area.

Discussion of Rule

The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the specified waters of the Elizabeth River in the vicinity of Harbor Park, Norfolk, VA. This safety zone will encompass all navigable waters within a 210-foot radius of the fireworks launch site, located on land, directly behind the stadium at approximate position 36°50′30″ N/076°16′42″ W (NAD 1983). This regulated area is being established in the interest of public safety during the fireworks display and would be enforced on July 2, July 3, August 21, September 3, and September 4, 2009, for ten consecutive minutes immediately following the conclusion of the baseball games, between 9 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Access to the safety zone will be restricted during the specified dates and times. Except for participants and vessels authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Representative, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area.

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. Although this regulation would restrict access to the safety zone, the effect of this rule would not be significant because: (i) The safety zone would be in effect for a limited duration; (ii) the zone would be of limited size; and (iii) the Coast Guard will make notifications via maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. For the above reasons, the Coast Guard does not anticipate any significant economic impact.

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 will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: owners and operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in that portion of the Elizabeth River from 9 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on July 2, July 3, August 21, September 3, and September 4, 2009. The safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. The safety zone will only be in place for a limited duration. The safety zone will be of limited size. Maritime advisories will be issued allowing the mariners to adjust their plans accordingly. Furthermore, the safety zone will apply to only a small portion of the Elizabeth River; there will be adequate space for mariners to safely transit around the zone.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), in the NPRM we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could 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 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 effect 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 which 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 establishing a safety zone around a fireworks display. Under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of the Instruction, an environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are not required for this rule.

List of Subjects 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. 1226, 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 and 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. Add § 165.T05-0274 to read as follows:

§ 165.T05-0274

Safety Zone; Norfolk Tides Post-Game Fireworks Displays, Elizabeth River, Norfolk, VA.

(a) Regulated area. The following area is a safety zone: specified waters of the Elizabeth River located within a 210-foot radius of the fireworks launching site located at approximate position 36°50′30″ N/076°16′42″ W (NAD 1983), directly behind Harbor Park Stadium in the vicinity of Norfolk, VA.

(b) Definition. For the purposes of this part, Captain of the Port Representative means any U.S. Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port, Hampton Roads, Virginia to act on his behalf.

(c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in § 165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Hampton Roads or his designated representatives.

(2) The operator of any vessel in the immediate vicinity of this safety zone shall:

(i) Stop the vessel immediately upon being directed to do so by any commissioned, warrant or petty officer on shore or on board a vessel that is displaying a U.S. Coast Guard Ensign.

(ii) Proceed as directed by any commissioned, warrant or petty officer on shore or on board a vessel that is displaying a U.S. Coast Guard Ensign.

(3) The Captain of the Port, Hampton Roads can be reached through the Sector Duty Officer at Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth, Virginia at telephone Number [phone].

(4) The Coast Guard Representatives enforcing the safety zone can be contacted on VHF-FM marine band radio channel 13 (165.65Mhz) and channel 16 (156.8 Mhz).

(d) Effective period. This regulation will be in effect on July 2, July 3, August 21, September 3, and September 4, 2009 from 9 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.

Dated: June 30, 2009.

M.S. Ogle,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Hampton Roads.