Safety Zone; Lake Erie, Maumee River, Ohio

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Maumee River, Toledo, in the state of Ohio. This zone restricts the entry of vessels into the area designated for the September 3, 2000 Toledo fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect mariners in case of accidental misfire of fireworks mortar rounds.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 8:30 a.m., to 10 p.m. September 3, 2000.

ADDRESSES:

The U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office in Toledo, Ohio maintains the public docket for this rule. Documents identified in this rule will be available for public copying and inspection between 9:30 A.M. and 2 P.M., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The Marine Safety Office is located at 420 Madison Ave., Suite 700, Toledo, Ohio 43604; (419) 259-6372.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Chief Marine Science Technician Michael Pearson, Asst. Chief of Port Operations, Marine Safety Office, 420 Madison Ave, Suite 700, Toledo, Ohio 43604; (419) 259-6372.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. We had insufficient time to publish a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking because we did not receive adequate advance notice of this event.

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking and delay of effective date would be contrary to public interest because immediate action is necessary to protect the maritime public and other persons from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

Background and Purpose

This temporary rule is necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime community during setup, loading and firing operations of fireworks in conjunction with the City of Toledo Fireworks. Entry into the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port is prohibited. The Captain of the Port may be contacted via Coast Guard Station Toledo on VHF-FM Channel 16.

Regulatory Evaluation

This rule is not a “significant regulatory action” under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed this rule under that Order. It is not “significant” under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). This finding is based on the historical lack of vessel traffic at this time of year.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This rule will be in effect for less than one day when vessel traffic can pass safely around the safety zone.

Assistance for Small Entities

In accordance with the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), assistance to small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process is available upon request. 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).

Collection of Information

This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132 and have determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism under that Order.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) governs the issuance of Federal regulations that require unfunded mandates. An unfunded mandate is a regulation that requires a State, local, or tribal government or the private sector to incur direct costs without the Federal government having first provided the funds to pay those costs. This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate.

Taking of Private Property

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

Civil Justice Reform

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

Protection of Children

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

Environment

The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of Commandant Instruction M16475.lC, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. A “Categorical Exclusion Determination” is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

• Harbors
• Marine safety
• Navigation (water)
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirement
• 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

1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; and 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-6, and 160.5; and 49 CFR 1.46.

2. A new temporary § 165.T09-080 is added to read as follows: