Safety Zone; Lake of the Ozarks, Mile Markers 7, 10.5, 13, 16, 22, 26, 34, and 42, Lake of the Ozarks, MO

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary safety zones in all navigable waters extending 420 feet in all directions around fireworks barges at eight different locations on the Lake of the Ozarks. These safety zones are needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the fireworks displays. Entry of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective on August 10, 2021 at 10 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov,, type USCG-2021-0480 in the search box and click “Search.” Next, in the Document Type column, select “Supporting & Related Material.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this rule, call or email Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Moore, Sector Upper Mississippi River Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-2560, email Stephanie.R.Moore@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

§ Section

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary 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 it is impracticable. We must establish this safety zone by August 10, 2021 and lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then consider those comments before issuing the rule.

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. Delaying the effective date of this rule would be contrary to the public interest because immediate action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the fireworks displays on August 10, 2021.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231). The Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the fireworks displays on August 10, 2021 will be a safety concern for anyone on the Lake of the Ozarks at the designated launch locations. This rule resulted from a marine event notification stating that there will be fireworks displays to celebrate a bicentinneal birthday on the Lake of the Ozarks. This rule is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone before, during, and after the fireworks display.

IV. Discussion of the Rule

This rule establishes safety zones on August 10, 2021 from 10 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. The safety zones will be located on all navigable waters extending 420 feet in all directions around fireworks barges at the following locations on the Lake of the Ozarks at (1) mile marker 7 (38 12′35.20″ N 92 45′02.57″ W), (2) mile marker 10.5 (38 01′21.93″ N 92 47′38.93″ W), (3) mile marker 13 (38 11′01.86″ N 92 41′19.32″ W), (4) mile marker 16 (38 08′54.89″ N 92 38′29.53″ W), (5) mile marker 22 (38 08′54.89″ N 92 41′18.95″ W), (6) mile marker 26 (38 07′25.22″ N 92 42′58.65″ W), (7) mile marker 34 (38 07′25.22″ N 92 47′34.59″ W) and (8) mile marker 42 (38 08′55″ N 92 52′23.30″ W). The duration of these zones is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in these navigable waters before, during, and after the fireworks displays. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zones without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River. The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public of the enforcement date and times for these safety zones, as well as any emergent safety concerns that may delay the enforcement of the zones.

V. 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, and we discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits. This rule has not been designated a “significant regulatory action,” under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

This regulatory action determination is based on size, location, and duration of the temporary safety zones. This action involves fireworks displays at multiple designated locations on the Lake of the Ozarks accuring symultaniously on August 10, 2021 and lasting 30 minutes. Vessels will be able to transit around the safety zones. Moreover, the Coast Guard will publish a Local Notice to Mariners and mariners may seek permission to enter the zones.

B. Impact on Small Entities

The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 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.

While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the safety zones may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any vessel owner or operator.

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 call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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.

C. 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).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

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 have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 13132.

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.

E. 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.

F. 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 involves safety zones lasting thirty minutes that will prohibit entry on the Lake of the Ozarks at (1) mile marker 7 (38 12′35.20″ N 92 45′02.57″ W), (2) mile marker 10.5 (38 01′21.93″ N 92 47′38.93″ W), (3) mile marker 13 (38 11′01.86″ N 92 41′19.32″ W), (4) mile marker 16 (38 08′54.89″ N 92 38′29.53″ W), (5) mile marker 22 (38 08′54.89″ N 92 41′18.95″ W), (6) mile marker 26 (38 07′25.22″ N 92 42′58.65″ W), (7) mile marker 34 (38 07′25.22″ N 92 47′34.59″ W) and (8) mile marker 42 (38 08′55″ N 92 52′23.30″ W). It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L60, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. A Record of Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

G. Protest Activities

The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to call or email 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.

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

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

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. Add § 165.T08-0707 to read as follows: