Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara, Niagara River, North Tonawanda, NY, 49921-49923 [2013-19949]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2013)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49921-49923]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19949]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2013-0701]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara, Niagara River, North 
Tonawanda, NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Niagara River near North Tonawanda, NY. This safety zone is intended to 
restrict vessels from a portion of the Niagara River during the Thunder 
on the Niagara hydroplane race. This temporary safety zone is necessary 
to protect mariners and vessels from the navigational hazards 
associated with a hydroplane race.

DATES: This rule will be effective from 9:30 a.m. on August 17, 2013, 
until 5:30 p.m. August 18, 2013. This rule will be enforced from 9:30 
a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on August 17 and 18, 2013.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
[USCG-2013-0701]. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type the 
docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also 
visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email LT Christopher Mercurio, Chief of Waterways Management, 
U.S. Coast Guard Sector Buffalo; telephone 716-843-9573, email 
SectorBuffaloMarineSafety@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing 
the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Acronyms

DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
TFR Temporary Final Rule

A. Regulatory History and Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final 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 doing so would be impracticable and 
contrary to the public interest. The final details for this event were 
not known to the Coast Guard until there was insufficient time 
remaining before the event to publish an NPRM. Thus, delaying the 
effective date of this rule to wait for a comment period to run would 
be both impracticable and contrary to the public interest because it 
would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to protect spectators and 
vessels from the hazards associated with a hydroplane race, which are 
discussed further below.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this temporary rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. For the same reasons discussed in 
the preceding paragraph, waiting for a 30 day notice period to run 
would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest.

B. Basis and Purpose

    Between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on August 17 and 18, 2013, a series of 
hydroplane races will take place on the Niagara River near North 
Tonawanda, NY. The Captain of the Port Buffalo has determined that 
hydroplane races create a significant risk to public safety and 
property. Such hazards include collisions between participants and the 
boating public.

C. Discussion of the Final Rule

    With the aforementioned hazards in mind, the Captain of the Port 
Buffalo has determined that this temporary safety zone regulation is 
necessary to ensure the safety of spectators and vessels during the 
Thunder on the Niagara hydroplane race series. This safety zone 
regulation will be enforced from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on August 17 
and 18, 2013. This zone will encompass all waters of the Niagara River, 
near North Tonawanda, NY within two miles of the Grand Island Bridge 
located within a zone described by the following positions: Beginning 
at 43[deg]03'32.95'' N, 078[deg]54'46.93'' W to 43[deg]03'14.55'' N, 
078[deg]55'15.97'' W then to 43[deg]02'39.72'' N,078[deg]54'13.05'' W 
then to 43[deg]02'59.99'' N, 078[deg]53'41.99'' W and returning to the 
point of origin (NAD 83).
    Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the safety zone is 
prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his 
designated on-scene representative. The Captain of the Port or his 
designated on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

D. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on these statutes and executive orders.

1. Regulatory Planning and Review

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving

[[Page 49922]]

Regulation and Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of 
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 
12866 or under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of 
Management and Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. It is not 
``significant'' under the regulatory policies and procedures of the 
Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
    We conclude that this rule is not a significant regulatory action 
because we anticipate that it will have minimal impact on the economy, 
will not interfere with other agencies, will not adversely alter the 
budget of any grant or loan recipients, and will not raise any novel 
legal or policy issues. The safety zone created by this rule will be 
relatively small and enforced for relatively short time. Also, the 
safety zone is designed to minimize its impact on navigable waters. 
Furthermore, the safety zone has been designed to allow vessels to 
transit around it. Thus, restrictions on vessel movement within that 
particular area are expected to be minimal. Under certain conditions, 
moreover, vessels may still transit through the safety zone when 
permitted by the Captain of the Port.

2. Impact on Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered the impact of this proposed rule on small entities. 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. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this 
rule will affect the following entities, some of which might be small 
entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or 
anchor in a portion of the Niagara River during the daytime hours of 
August 17 and 18, 2013.
    This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This 
safety zone would be activated, and thus subject to enforcement, for 
only 8 hours each day. Traffic may be allowed to pass around the zone 
in between the heats at idle speed with the permission of the Captain 
of the Port. The Captain of the Port can be reached via VHF channel 16. 
Before the activation of the zone, we would issue local Broadcast 
Notice to Mariners.

3. Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 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 above.
    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.

4. 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).

5. Federalism

    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 determined 
that this rule does not have implications for federalism.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

9. Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

10. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule 
is not an economically significant rule and does not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

11. Indian Tribal Governments

    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.

12. Energy Effects

    This action is not a ``significant energy action'' under Executive 
Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect 
Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

13. Technical Standards

    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

14. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which 
guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (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 the establishment of a safety zone and,

[[Page 49923]]

therefore it is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. An 
environmental analysis checklist supporting this determination and a 
Categorical Exclusion Determination are available in the docket where 
indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may 
lead to the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this 
rule.

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 parts 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:  33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 
50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. 
L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T09-0701 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T09-0701  Safety Zone; Thunder on the Niagara, Niagara River, 
North Tonawanda, NY.

    (a) Location. This safety zone will encompass those waters of the 
Niagara River, near North Tonawanda, NY within two miles of the Grand 
Island Bridge, located within a zone described by the following 
positions: Beginning at 43[deg]03'32.95'' N,078[deg]54'46.93'' W to 
43[deg]03'14.55'' N,078[deg]55'15.97''W then to 43[deg]02'39.72'' 
N,078[deg]54'13.05'' W then to 43[deg]02'59.99'' N, 078[deg]53'41.99'' 
W and returning to the point of origin (NAD 83).
    (b) Enforcement periods. This section will be enforced on August 17 
and 18, 2013, from 9:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m.
    (c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into, transiting, or anchoring within 
this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port Buffalo or his designated on-scene representative.
    (2) This safety zone is closed to all vessel traffic, except as may 
be permitted by the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his designated on-
scene representative.
    (3) The ``on-scene representative'' of the Captain of the Port 
Buffalo is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who 
has been designated by the Captain of the Port Buffalo to act on his 
behalf.
    (4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the safety 
zone shall contact the Captain of the Port Buffalo or his on-scene 
representative to obtain permission to do so. The Captain of the Port 
Buffalo or his on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 
16. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the safety 
zone must comply with all directions given to them by the Captain of 
the Port Buffalo, or his on-scene representative.

    Dated: August 1, 2013.
B. W. Roche,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Buffalo.
[FR Doc. 2013-19949 Filed 8-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P