Rule2026-11501
Safety Zone; Fireworks Displays, 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
June 9, 2026
Effective
June 9, 2026
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 series of fireworks displays launched from a barge in the Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, Texas. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone 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 91 Issue 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 110 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 34782-34783]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-11501]
[[Page 34782]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0667]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Fireworks Displays, Laguna Madre, South Padre
Island, TX
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
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 series of fireworks displays launched
from a barge in the Laguna Madre, South Padre Island, Texas. Entry of
vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Corpus Christi or a
designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective without actual notice from June 9, 2026
through July 31, 2026. For the purposes of enforcement, actual notice
will be used from June 5, 2026 until June 9, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0667.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Timothy Cardenas, Sector Corpus Christi
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 361-244-
4784, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#25714c484a514d5c0b6f0b66445741404b445665505646420b484c49"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="64300d090b100c1d4a2e4a27051600010a051724111707034a090d08">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard received notification that a series of fireworks
displays will be launched from a barge in the Laguna Madre, near South
Padre Island, TX. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Corpus Christi has
determined that potential hazards associated with fireworks, including
handling of explosive material and falling projectiles, are a safety
concern for anyone within a 700-foot radius of the fireworks launching
point.
Because of these hazards, the Coast Guard is issuing this temporary
rule without prior notice and comment. As 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 and contrary to public interest. The
Coast Guard was not provided with complete details for this series of
fireworks displays until May 2026, but we must establish this safety
zone by June 5, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards. Therefore, we do not have
sufficient time to receive, consider, and respond to comments before
the series of fireworks displays begins.
For the same reason, the Coast Guard 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 Federal Register.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary safety zone from June 5, 2026,
through July 31, 2026. The safety zone will be subject to enforcement
from the hours of 9 p.m. through 11:59 p.m. each day it is in effect.
It is anticipated that fireworks will only take place on each of the
following nights: June 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30; July 7, 10, 14,
17, 21, 24, 28, and 31. The COTP or a designated representative will
inform the public of the enforcement times and dates for this safety
zone through Broadcast Notices to Mariners and Safety Marine
Information Broadcasts, as appropriate. The safety zone will encompass
certain navigable waters of the Laguna Madre and is defined by a 700-
foot radius around the launching platform at 26[deg]6'02.1'' N,
97[deg]10'17.7'' W. 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 800-874-
2143.
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.
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
[[Page 34783]]
Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), 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
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. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T08-0667 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T08-0667 Safety Zone; Fireworks Displays, 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-foot radius around the
following point; 26[deg]6'02.1'' N, 97[deg]10'17.7'' 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 Sector Corpus Christi (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 VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at (800) 874-2143.
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 periods. This section will be enforced from 9 p.m.
through 11:59 p.m. on June 5, 9, 12, 16, 19, 23, 26, 30; July 7, 10,
14, 17, 21, 24, 28, and 31.
T.H. Bertheau,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Corpus Christi.
[FR Doc. 2026-11501 Filed 6-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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