Rule2025-18700
Safety Zone; Bridgeport Harbor, Bridgeport, CT
Primary source
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Published
September 26, 2025
Effective
September 28, 2025
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of Bridgeport Harbor in the vicinity of the Bridgeport Harbor Station power plant demolition project site. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by using explosives for the demolition process of three coal-fired power plant boilers. When enforced, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Long, Island Sound or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 185 (Friday, September 26, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 185 (Friday, September 26, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 46349-46350]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-18700]
[[Page 46349]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2025-0773]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Bridgeport Harbor, Bridgeport, CT
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
the navigable waters of Bridgeport Harbor in the vicinity of the
Bridgeport Harbor Station power plant demolition project site. The
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards created by using explosives for the
demolition process of three coal-fired power plant boilers. When
enforced, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Long, Island
Sound or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from September 28, 2025, through October
5, 2025. In the event that all demolition work using explosives is
completed prior to October 5, we will provide notice via Broadcast to
Mariners that it is no longer subject to enforcement.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2025-0773.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call or email LT Joel Chapman, Sector Long Island Sound Waterways
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 475-355-5336, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#491a0c0a05001a1a191e04283b20272c0c3f2c273d093c3a2a2e67242025"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="015244424d48525251564c6073686f644477646f7541747262662f6c686d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound
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 was notified on August 5, 2025 that a contractor
will be demolishing the three Bridgeport Harbor Station coal-fired
power plant boilers in Bridgeport, CT. The three boilers are
approximately 145 feet from the Bridgeport Harbor edge and are being
demolished using explosives. The Captain of the Port, Long Island Sound
(COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the use of
explosives in this demolition project using are a safety concern for
anyone within 1300 yards of the blast zone. Therefore, the COTP is
issuing this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 to establish a
safety zone to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment
in the navigable waters within the safety zone.
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and
comment. As is authorized by 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
to do so. There has been insufficient time between August 5, 2025, when
Coast Guard was notified of the use explosives for the demolition
project, and September 28, 2025, when the rule must be in place to
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment, to solicit and
respond to comments, and publish a final rule.
The Coast Guard also finds that, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good
cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after
publication in the FR because there is insufficient time to delay the
rule's effective date if it is to serve its intended purpose.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone from 2 a.m. on September 28,
2025, through 11:59 p.m. on October 5, 2025. The safety zone will cover
all navigable waters within a 1300-foot radius of the center point of
Bridgeport Harbor Station boiler number 1, in approximate position
41[deg]10'16.0'' N 73[deg]11'02.0'' W expressed in Degrees ([deg])
Minutes (') Seconds ('') (DMS), based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD
83).
No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone
without first obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated
representative. To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the
COTP's representative by VHF-Channel 16 or at 866-299-8031.
We anticipate only needing to deny permission to enter the safety
zone during demolition operations of the Bridgeport Harbor Station
coal-fired power plant boilers, which we expect will occur between 3
a.m. and 5 a.m. on September 28, 2025. That two-hour period should
cover the time when workers are both preparing for and conducting
demolition operations. Nevertheless, as this anticipated demolition
period is subject to change, the Coast Guard is making the rule
effective through 11:59 p.m. October 5, 2025. The Coast Guard will
notify the public and local mariners of the enforcement status of this
safety zone through Broadcast Notice to Mariners via marine Channel 16
(VHF-FM), both in advance of the commencement of demolition operations
and after all demolition operations have ceased, unless there are other
conditions present which may cause a hazard to navigation, as
determined by the COTP.
IV. 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.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The regulatory flexibility analysis provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that
are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for
good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would
otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's
flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and
Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small
Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 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.
B. 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).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism,
and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental
federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that
Order.
[[Page 46350]]
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.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in
an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation)
by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the
private sector.
E. 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 is a safety zone. 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.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and record
keeping 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. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T01-0773 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T01-0773 Safety Zone; Bridgeport Harbor, Bridgeport, CT.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
the Bridgeport Harbor, from surface to bottom, in approximate position
41[deg]10'16.0'' N 73[deg]11'02.0'' W expressed in Degrees ([deg])
Minutes (') Seconds ('') (DMS) based on North American Datum 1983 (NAD
83).
(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 Long Island Sound (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 by VHF-Channel 16 or at 866-299-8031. 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) Effective and enforcement period. This section is effective
from 2 a.m. September 28, 2025, through 11:59 p.m. October 5, 2025. We
anticipate the demolition operations using explosives will occur
between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. September 28, 2025. For added safety, the
COTP will make notification of the exact date and time in advance of
the enforcement period for the safety zone in paragraph (a) of this
section to the local maritime community through a Broadcast Notice to
Mariners via marine channel 16 (VHF-FM). If the project is completed
before October 5, 2025, enforcement of the safety zones will be
suspended, and notice given via Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
Elisa M. Garrity,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Long Island
Sound.
[FR Doc. 2025-18700 Filed 9-25-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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