Safety Zone, Delaware River; Philadelphia, PA, 37209-37211 [2014-15440]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 37209-37211]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-15440]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket Number USCG-2014-0501]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone, Delaware River; Philadelphia, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone on the Delaware 
River in Philadelphia, PA, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 1, 2014. 
The safety zone will restrict vessel traffic on the Delaware River 
while a fireworks event is taking place, inside a boundary described as 
spanning from the Pennsylvania shore to the New Jersey shore and is 
bounded in the south by a line from position 39[deg]56'18'' N, 
longitude 075[deg]08'30'' W; thence to latitude 39[deg]56'17'' N, 
longitude 075[deg]07'56'' W, and bounded on the north by the Benjamin 
Franklin Bridge. This safety zone is necessary to protect the public 
and vessels in the surrounding area from the hazards associated with a 
fireworks display.

DATES: This rule is effective and will be enforced from 8:30 p.m. to 
9:30 p.m. on July 1, 2014.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket 
[USCG-2014-0501]. 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 If you have questions on this temporary rule, call or 
email Lieutenant Brennan Dougherty, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector Delaware 
Bay, Chief Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone (215) 
271-4851, email Brennan.P.Dougherty@uscg.mil. If you have questions on 
viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Cheryl Collins, 
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

A. Regulatory History and Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this 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; the usual procedure is impracticable because 
we did not receive final details for this event until May 28, 2014, and 
the event is scheduled for July 1, 2014. Further, allowing this event 
to go forward without a safety zone in place would expose mariners and 
the public to

[[Page 37210]]

unnecessary dangers associated with fireworks displays, contrary to the 
public interest.

B. Basis and Purpose

    On July 1, 2014, fireworks will be launched from a barge with a 
fall out zone that covers part of Delaware River. The Captain of the 
Port, Sector Delaware Bay, has determined that the Delaware River 
Waterfront Corp. Fireworks Display will pose significant risks to the 
public. The purpose of the rule is to promote public and maritime 
safety during a fireworks display, and to protect mariners transiting 
the area from the potential hazards associated with a fireworks 
display, such as accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous 
projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris.

C. Discussion of the Final Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a safety zone in the waters of the 
Delaware River in Philadelphia, PA, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 
1, 2014. The safety zone will restrict vessel traffic from entering in 
the immediate area of the fireworks barge. The fireworks barge will be 
held in place by a tug inside a boundary described as spanning from the 
Pennsylvania shore to the New Jersey shore and is bounded in the south 
by a line from position 39[deg]56'18'' N, longitude 075[deg]08'30'' W; 
thence to latitude 39[deg]56'17'' N, longitude 075[deg]07'56'' W, and 
bounded on the north by the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. During the period 
of the safety zone, all persons and vessels will be prohibited from 
entering, transiting, mooring, or remaining within the zone, unless 
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay, or her 
designated representative. Those persons authorized to transit through 
the safety zone shall abide by and follow all directions provided by 
the Captain of the Port Delaware Bay, or her designated representative, 
in order to ensure they are not disrupting the fireworks display. U.S. 
Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay will notify the public by broadcast 
notice to mariners at least one hour prior to the times of enforcement.

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 or 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 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. Although this regulation 
will restrict access to the regulated area, the effect of this rule 
will not be significant because: (i) The Coast Guard will make 
extensive notification of the Safety Zone to the maritime public via 
maritime advisories so mariners can alter their plans accordingly; (ii) 
vessels may still be permitted to transit through the safety zone with 
the permission of the Captain of the Port on a case-by-case basis; and 
(iii) this rule will be enforced for only the duration of the fireworks 
display.

2. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 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. This rule will affect the following entities, some of 
which may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels 
intending to anchor or transit along a portion of the Delaware River 
near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on July 1, 
2014, unless cancelled earlier by the Captain of the Port once all 
operations are completed.
    This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reason: Vessel 
traffic will be allowed to pass through the zone with permission of the 
Coast Guard Captain of the Port Delaware Bay or her designated 
representative and zone is limited in size and duration. Sector 
Delaware Bay will issue maritime advisories widely available to users 
of the Delaware Bay and River.

3. Assistance for Small Entities

    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, 
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,

[[Page 37211]]

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 implementation of regulations within 33 
CFR Part 165, applicable to safety zones on the navigable waterways. 
This zone will temporarily restrict vessel traffic from transiting the 
Delaware River along the shoreline of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 
order to protect the safety of life and property on the waters for the 
duration of the fireworks display. This rule 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 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:  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, 160.5; Pub. L. 
107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add temporary Sec.  165.T05-0501 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0501  Safety Zone, Delaware River; Philadelphia, PA.

    (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of 
the Delaware River in Philadelphia, PA inside a boundary described as 
spanning from the Pennsylvania shore to the New Jersey shore and is 
bounded in the south by a line from position 39[deg]56'18'' N, 
longitude 075[deg]08'30'' W; thence to latitude 39[deg]56'17'' N, 
longitude 075[deg]07'56'' W, and bounded on the north by the Benjamin 
Franklin Bridge.
    (b) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced from 8:30 p.m. 
to 9:30 p.m. on July 1, 2014, unless cancelled earlier by the Captain 
of the Port once all operations are completed.
    (c) Regulations. All persons are required to comply with the 
general regulations governing safety zones in 33 CFR 165.33.
    (1) All persons and vessels transiting through the Safety Zone must 
be authorized by the Captain of the Port or her designated 
representative.
    (2) Vessels granted permission to transit must do so in accordance 
with the directions provided by the Captain of the Port or her 
designated representative to the vessel.
    (3) To seek permission to transit the Safety Zone, the Captain of 
the Port's representative can be contacted via marine radio VHF Channel 
16.
    (4) This section applies to all vessels wishing to transit through 
the Safety Zone except vessels that are engaged in the following 
operations:
    (i) Enforcing laws;
    (ii) Servicing aids to navigation, and
    (iii) Emergency response vessels.
    (5) No person or vessel may enter or remain in a safety zone 
without the permission of the Captain of the Port;
    (6) Each person and vessel in a safety zone shall obey any 
direction or order of the Captain of the Port;
    (7) No person may board, or take or place any article or thing on 
board, any vessel in a safety zone without the permission of the 
Captain of the Port; and
    (8) No person may take or place any article or thing upon any 
waterfront facility in a safety zone without the permission of the 
Captain of the Port.
    (d) Definitions. The Captain of the Port means the Commander of 
Sector Delaware Bay or any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty 
officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port to act on 
her behalf.
    (e) Enforcement. The U.S. Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol 
and enforcement of the Safety Zone by Federal, State, and local 
agencies.

    Dated: June 18, 2014.
K. Moore,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Delaware Bay.
[FR Doc. 2014-15440 Filed 6-30-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P