Rule2024-03406
Safety Zone; Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, TX
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
February 20, 2024
Effective
February 14, 2024
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 89 Issue 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 34 (Tuesday, February 20, 2024)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 12747-12749]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03406]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2024-0145]
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 6 p.m. on February 14, 2024 through
1 a.m. on February 15, 2024.
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-
2024-0145 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 about 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#337070645247564144524a4073464050541d5e5a5f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="71323226100514030610080231040212165f1c181d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi
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 to protect personnel, vessels, and the
marine environment from potential hazards created by the fireworks
display, and we lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment
period and consider any comments submitted before issuing the rule.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), and for the same reason provided above,
the Coast Guard finds that good cause also exists for making this rule
effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
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 6 p.m. on February 14, 2024 through 1 a.m. on
February 15, 2024 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]6'5.05'' N, 97[deg]10'12.46'' 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.
[[Page 12748]]
IV. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary safety zone beginning on the
night of February 14, 2024, and continuing into the early morning of
February 15, 2024. The safety zone will encompass certain navigable
waters of the Laguna Madre, and is defined by a 700 yard radius around
the launching platform, which will be located at the following point:
26[deg]6'5.05'' N, 97[deg]10'12.46'' W. No vessel or person is
permitted to enter the temporary safety zone during the period when it
is in effect 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 in effect for the short period of 7 hours, beginning the night
of February 14, 2024, into the early morning of February 15, 2024. The
zone is limited to the area with a 700 yard radius of the launching
position in the navigable waters of the Laguna Madre. Prohibiting
vessel traffic within that zone does not completely restrict the
traffic within the waterway, and the rule allows mariners to request
permission to enter 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
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 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
[[Page 12749]]
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.T08-0145 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0145 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]6'5.05'' N, 97[deg]10'12.46'' W.
(b) Enforcement period. This section is in effect, and subject to
enforcement, from 6 p.m. on February 14, 2024 through 1 a.m. on
February 15, 2024.
(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.
Dated: February 12, 2024.
Jason Gunning,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2024-03406 Filed 2-14-24; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on February 20, 2024.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.