[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 167 (Friday, August 28, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 45947-45948]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-23219]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[CGD01-98-123]
RIN 2115-AA97
Safety Zone: Connections Unlimited Fireworks, New York Harbor,
Upper Bay
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
the Connections Unlimited fireworks program located in Federal
Anchorage 20C, New York Harbor, Upper Bay. This action is necessary to
provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event.
This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of
Federal Anchorage 20C.
DATES: This rule is effective from 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 19,
1998, until 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 20, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Documents as indicated in this preamble are available for
inspection or copying at Coast Guard Activities New York, 212 Coast
Guard Drive, room 205, Staten Island, New York 10305, between 8 a.m.
and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The
telephone number is (718) 354-4195.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant (Junior Grade) A.
Kenneally, Waterways Oversight Branch, Coast Guard Activities New York,
at (718) 354-4195.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory History
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553, a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
was not published for this regulation. Good cause exists for not
publishing an NPRM and for making this regulation effective less than
30 days after Federal Register publication. Due to the date this
application was received, there was insufficient time to draft and
publish an NPRM. Any delay encountered in this regulation's effective
date would be contrary to public interest since immediate action is
needed to close a portion of the waterway and protect the maritime
public from the hazards associated with this fireworks display.
Background and Purpose
On August 3, 1998, Bay Fireworks submitted an Application for
Approval of Marine Event to hold a fireworks program on the waters of
Upper New York Bay in Federal Anchorage 20C. The fireworks program is
being sponsored by Connections Unlimited. This regulation establishes a
safety zone in all waters of Upper New York Bay within a 300 yard
radius of the fireworks barge located in approximate position
40 deg.41'24.5''N 074 deg.02'25''W (NAD 1983), approximately 300 yards
northeast of Liberty Island, New York. The safety zone is in effect
from 11 p.m. on Saturday, September 19, 1998, until 12:30 a.m. on
Sunday, September 20, 1998. There is no rain date for this event. The
safety zone prevents vessels from transiting a portion of Federal
Anchorage 20C and is needed to protect boaters from the hazards
associated with fireworks launched from a barge in the area.
Recreational and commercial vessel traffic will be able to anchor in
the unaffected northern and southern portions of Federal Anchorage 20C.
Federal Anchorages 20A and 20B, to the north, and Federal Anchorages
20D and 20E, to the south, are also available for vessel use. There
will be no impact on vessels transiting the shipping channel as the
safety zone does not extend into it. Public notifications will be made
prior to the event via the Local Notice to Mariners and marine
information broadcasts.
Regulatory Evaluation
This final rule 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 not been reviewed by the Office of Management and
Budget under the Order. It is not significant under the regulatory
policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44
FR 11040; February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic
impact of this final rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory
Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and
procedures of DOT is unnecessary. This finding is based on the limited
marine traffic in the area, the minimal time that vessels will be
restricted from the zone, that vessels may safely anchor to the north
and south of the zone, and extensive advance notifications which will
be made.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the
Coast Guard considered whether this rule will have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small
entities'' include 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.
For reasons discussed in the Regulatory Evaluation above, the Coast
Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act
(5 U.S.C. 601 et. seq.) that this final rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Collection of Information
This final rule does not provide for a collection of information
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this final rule under the principles
and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that
this final rule does not have sufficient
[[Page 45948]]
implications for federalism to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this
final rule and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of
Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, this final rule is categorically
excluded from further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical
Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection or
copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.
Regulation
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
33 CFR Part 165 as follows:
Part 165--[AMENDED]
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(g),
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.
2. Add temporary Sec. 165.T01-123 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-123 Safety Zone: Connections Unlimited Fireworks, New
York Harbor, Upper Bay.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all waters of
New York Harbor, Upper Bay within a 300 yard radius of the fireworks
barge in approximate position 40 deg.41'24.5''N 074 deg.02'25''W (NAD
1983), approximately 300 yards northeast of Liberty Island, New York.
(b) Effective period. This section is effective from 11 p.m. on
Saturday, September 19, 1998, until 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 20,
1998.
(c) Regulations.
(1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 165.23 apply.
(2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of
the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on scene patrol
personnel. U.S. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned,
warrant, and petty officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a
U.S. Coast Guard vessel via siren, radio, flashing light, or other
means, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed.
Dated: August 13, 1998.
R.E. Bennis,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, New York.
[FR Doc. 98-23219 Filed 8-27-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M
