Rule2023-26334
Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX
Primary source
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Published
November 30, 2023
Effective
December 2, 2023
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters in the Laguna Madre. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a firework display launched from a stationary barge in the Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, Texas. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone or remaining in the zone when it is in effect is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 229 (Thursday, November 30, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 229 (Thursday, November 30, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 83505-83507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-26334]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2023-0910]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX
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
certain navigable waters in the Laguna Madre. The safety zone is needed
to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from
potential hazards created by a firework display launched from a
stationary barge in the Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, Texas. Entry
of vessels or persons into this zone or remaining in the zone when it
is in effect is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the
Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi or a designated
representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 9:30 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on
December 2, 2023.
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-
2023-0910 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Commander Anthony Garofalo, Sector Corpus
Christi Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-
939-5130, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2f6c6c784e5b4a5d584e565c6f5a5c4c4801424643"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7c3f3f2b1d08190e0b1d050f3c090f1f1b52111510">[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. We must
establish this safety zone immediately to protect personnel, vessels,
and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the
fireworks display and lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable
comment period and then to consider those comments before issuing the
rule.
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 contrary to the public interest because immediate
action is needed to address the potential safety hazards associated
with fireworks launched from a barge in the waters of the Laguna Madre.
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 Sector Corpus Christi (COTP) has
determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks
displays occurring from 9:30 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on the night of
December 2, 2023, will be a safety concern for anyone in the waters of
the Laguna Madre area within a 700 yard radius of the following point;
26[deg]6'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W. The purpose of this rule is to
ensure safety of vessels and persons on these navigable waters in the
safety zone while the display of the fireworks takes place in the
Laguna Madre.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary safety zone on the night of
December 2, 2023. The safety zone will encompass certain navigable
waters of the Laguna Madre, and is defined by a 700 yard radius around
the launching platform. The regulated area encompasses a 700 yard
radius of the following point: 26[deg]6'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W.
The fireworks display will take place in waters of the Laguna Madre. No
vessel or person is permitted to enter the temporary safety zone during
the effective period without obtaining permission from the COTP or a
designated representative, who may be contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM
(156.8 MHz), or by telephone at 361-939-0450. The Coast Guard will
issue Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to Mariners, and/or
Safety Marine Information Broadcasts, 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, as amended by
Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). 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, and duration of the safety zone. The temporary safety zone
will be enforced for a short period of 2.5 hours on the night of
December 2, 2023.
The zone is limited to a 700 yard radius from the launching
position of in the navigable waters of the Laguna Madre. The rule does
not completely restrict the traffic within a waterway and allows
mariners to request permission to enter the zone.
[[Page 83506]]
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
temporary 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
contact 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 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, 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 establishment of a temporary safety
zone for navigable waters of the Laguna Madre in a zone defined by a
700 yard radius from the following coordinate: 26[deg]6'02.1'' N,
97[deg]10'17.7'' W. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by
fireworks display in the waters of the Laguna Madre. 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.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to contact 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, 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.T08-0910 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0910 Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable
waters of the Laguna Madre encompassed by a 700-yard radius from the
following point; 26[deg]6'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' W.
(b) Enforcement period. This section is in effect, and subject to
enforcement from 9:30 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. on the night of December
2, 2023.
(c) Regulations. (1) According to the general regulations in Sec.
165.23 of this part, remaining in, or entry into this temporary safety
zone are prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector
Corpus Christi (COTP) or a designated representative. They may be
contacted on Channel 16 VHF-FM (156.8 MHz) or by telephone at 361-939-
0450.
(2) If permission is granted, all persons and vessels shall comply
with the instructions of the COTP or designated representative.
(d) Information broadcasts. The COTP or a designated representative
will inform the public of the enforcement times and date for this
safety zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners, Local Notices to
Mariners, and/or Safety Marine Information Broadcasts as appropriate.
[[Page 83507]]
Dated: November 21, 2023.
Jason Gunning,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2023-26334 Filed 11-29-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on November 30, 2023.
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