Rule2023-17380
Safety Zone; Ohio River Mile Markers 90.4-91, Wheeling, WV
Primary source
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Published
August 14, 2023
Effective
August 23, 2023
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for the Ohio River on August 23, 2023, at mile marker 90.4 to mile marker 91 from 5 through 9 p.m. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters during a floating lantern festival. This rule prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 155 (Monday, August 14, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 155 (Monday, August 14, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 54880-54882]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17380]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2023-0610]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Ohio River Mile Markers 90.4-91, Wheeling, WV
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety
zone for the Ohio River on August 23, 2023, at mile marker 90.4 to mile
marker 91 from 5 through 9 p.m. This action is necessary to provide for
the safety of life on the navigable waters during a floating lantern
festival. This rule prohibits persons and vessels from being in the
safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh
(COTP) or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective on August 23, 2023, from 5 through 9 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-
2023-0610 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 LTJG Eyobe Mills, Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh, U.S.
Coast Guard, at telephone 412-221-0807, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9fdae6f0fdfab1dbb1d2f6f3f3ecdfeaecfcf8b1f2f6f3"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="185d61777a7d365c36557174746b586d6b7b7f36757174">[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
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 (NPRM)
with respect to this rule because it is impracticable and contrary to
the public interest. This safety zone must be established by August 23,
2023, to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters during
a floating lantern festival, and we lack sufficient time to provide a
reasonable comment period and then consider those comments before
issuing this rule. The NPRM process would delay the establishment of
the safety zone until
[[Page 54881]]
after the date of the floating lantern festival. Vessels inside of the
safety zone have the potential of ruining over the lanterns.
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. Delaying the effective date of
this rule would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest
because action is needed by August 23, 2023, to ensure the safety of
the of life on the navigable waters during the floating lantern
festival.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70034. The Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (COTP) has determined that
potential hazards associated with a floating lantern festival on August
23, 2023, will be a safety concern for anyone on the Ohio River from
mile markers 90.4 to mile marker 91 from 5 to 9 p.m. The purpose of
this rule is to ensure safety of the participant, vessels, and the
navigable waters in the safety zone before, during, and after the
scheduled event.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from 5 until 9 p.m.
on August 23, 2023. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters on
the Ohio River from mile markers 90.4 to mile marker 91. The duration
of the zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment in the navigable waters during a floating lantern festival.
No vessel or person is permitted to enter the safety zone without
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative of
the COTP. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or
petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) assigned to units under
the operational control of the COTP. To seek permission to enter,
contact the COTP or a designated representative via VHF-FM channel 16,
or through Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh at 412-221-0807. Persons and
vessels permitted to enter the safety zone must comply with all lawful
orders or directions issued by the COTP or designated representative.
The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public of the
effective period for the safety zone as well as any changes in the
dates and times of enforcement through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs),
Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Marine Safety Information
Bulletins (MSIBs), as appropriate.
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 size, location,
and duration of the temporary safety zone. This safety zone only
impacts a 0.6 mile stretch on the Ohio River for 5 hours on August 23,
2023. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue Local Notice to Mariners and
Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the
zone and the rule allows vessels to seek permission from the COTP to
transit the 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.
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 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.
[[Page 54882]]
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
temporary safety zone lasting 5 hours on August 23, 2023, on the Ohio
River. 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
Marine Safety, Navigation (water), Reporting, and recordkeeping
requirements, 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, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T08-0610 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0610 Safety Zone Ohio River, Wheeling, WV.
(a) Location. The following area is a temporary safety zone on the
Ohio River from mile marker 90.4 to mile marker 91.
(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 Pittsburgh (COTP) in the enforcement of the safety
zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the
COTP's designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative on Channel 16 or at 412-670-4288. Those in the safety
zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by
the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
(d) Enforcement period. This section is effective from 5 through 9
p.m. on August 23, 2023. The temporary safety zone will be enforced
during the 5 hours floating lantern festival.
Eric J. Velez,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, MSU Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2023-17380 Filed 8-11-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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