Rule2022-14542
Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara Fireworks; Niagara River; North Tonawanda, NY
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 8, 2022
Effective
August 6, 2022
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters within a 400-foot radius of land launched fireworks over the Niagara River in North Tonawanda, NY. The safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 130 (Friday, July 8, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 130 (Friday, July 8, 2022)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 40729-40731]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-14542]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2022-0564]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara Fireworks; Niagara River;
North Tonawanda, NY
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
navigable waters within a 400-foot radius of land launched fireworks
over the Niagara River in North Tonawanda, NY. The safety zone is
necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment
from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels
or persons into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his designated
representative.
DATES: This rule is effective August 6, 2022, from 8:45 p.m. through
10:45 p.m.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2022-0564 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Next, in the
Document Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email MST1 Anthony Urbana, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo;
telephone 716-843-9342, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2460141d09776966097761676651424245484b0973736964515747430a494d48"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="91d5a1a8bcc2dcd3bcc2d4d2d3e4f7f7f0fdfebcc6c6dcd1e4e2f2f6bffcf8fd">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
[[Page 40730]]
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary 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 with
respect to this rule because doing so would be impracticable. The event
sponsor did not submit notice of the fireworks display to the Coast
Guard with sufficient time remaining before the event to publish an
NPRM. Delaying the effective date of this rule to wait for a comment
period to run would be impracticable and contrary to the public
interest by inhibiting the Coast Guard's ability to protect spectators
and vessels from the hazards associated with this fireworks display.
The safety zone must be established by August 6, 2022.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register. For the same reasons discussed in
the preceding paragraph, waiting for a 30-day notice period to run
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port (COTP)
Buffalo has determined that fireworks over the water presents
significant risks to public safety and property. This rule is necessary
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the
navigable waters within the safety zone while the fireworks display is
taking place.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone from 8:45 p.m. through 10:45
p.m. on August 6, 2022. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters
within a 400-foot radius of land launched fireworks over The Niagara
River in North Tonawanda, NY. The duration of the safety zone is
intended to protect spectators, vessels, and the marine environment in
these navigable waters during the fireworks display. No vessel or
person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining
permission from the COTP Buffalo or his designated representative.
V. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this 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. This rule has not been designated a ``significant
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this
rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB).
This regulatory action determination is based on the size,
location, duration, and time-of-day of the safety zone. The safety zone
will encompass a 400-foot radius of land launched fireworks in the The
Niagara River in North Tonawanda, NY lasting approximately 2 hours
during the evening when vessel traffic is normally low. Moreover, the
Coast Guard would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM
marine channel 16 about the safety zone, and the rule would allow
vessels to seek permission to enter the safety zone.
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 rule
will 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
V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any
vessel owner or operator.
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 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
call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
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.
C. Collection of Information
This rule will 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 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 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. If
you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes,
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section above.
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
[[Page 40731]]
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.
F. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and
Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast
Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined 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 rule involves a
safety zone lasting approximately 2 hours that will prohibit entry
within a 400-foot radius in the Niagara River in North Tonawanda, NY,
for a fireworks display. It is categorically excluded from further
review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction
Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Record of Environmental Consideration
supporting this determination is available in the docket. For
instructions on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this
preamble.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to call or email 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.
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
0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
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.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.2.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T09-0564 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T09-0564 Safety Zone; Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara
Fireworks; Niagara River; North Tonawanda, NY.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
the Lake Ontario, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a 400-foot
radius around 43[deg]03'22.39'' N, 078[deg]54'15.59'' W.
(b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain,
petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a
Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port (COTP) Buffalo in the enforcement of the safety
zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in
section Sec. 165.23, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within this
safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP Buffalo or his
designated representative.
(2) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety
zone must contact the COTP Buffalo or his designated representative to
obtain permission to do so. The COTP Buffalo or his designated
representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16. Vessel operators
given permission to enter or operate in the safety zone must comply
with all directions given to them by the COTP Buffalo or his designated
representative.
(d) Enforcement period. The regulated area described in paragraph
(a) of this section is effective from 8:45 p.m. through 10:45 p.m. on
August 6, 2022.
Dated: July 1, 2022.
M.I. Kuperman,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Buffalo.
[FR Doc. 2022-14542 Filed 7-7-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on July 8, 2022.
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