# Safety Zone; Upper Mississippi River, Mile Markers 497.6 to 497.2 LeClaire, IA and Port Byron, IL.
**AGENCY:**
Coast Guard, DHS.
**ACTION:**
Temporary final rule.
**SUMMARY:**
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Upper Mississippi River from mile marker 497.6 to 497.2. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the Great River Tug Fest and Firework display. Entry of vessels or persons into the zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River, or a designated representative.
**DATES:**
This rule is effective from 8:30 p.m. August 9, 2024 through 11 p.m. August 10, 2024.
**ADDRESSES:**
To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to *https://www.regulations.gov,* type USCG-2024-0695 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 Lars Okmark, Sector Upper Mississippi River Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 314-269-2560, email *[email protected].*
**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 under authority in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This statutory 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.” The Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule, as doing so would be impracticable. This is because we must establish this safety zone by August 9, 2024 to protect the personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the potential dangers associated with fireworks and the festival events including a tug of war across the river. We therefore lack sufficient time to provide a reasonable comment period and then consider those comments before issuing the rule.
Also, 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 rapid action is needed to respond to the potential hazards created by heavy recreational and commercial marine traffic, a fireworks display, and the “tug of war” and other events associated with the Great River Tug Fest and Firework display starting August 9, 2024.
**III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule**
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034. The Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River (COTP) has determined a safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters from potential hazards created by the Great River Tug Fest and Firework display.
**IV. Discussion of the Rule**
This rule establishes a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Upper Mississippi River from mile markers 497.6 to 497.2 in LeClaire, IA and Port Byron, IL, from 8:30 p.m. August 9, 2024 to 11 p.m. on August 10, 2024. The safety zone is subject to enforcement during the following times: 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on August 9, 2024; 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 10, 2024; and 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on August 10, 2024. Fireworks are scheduled for the evening of August 9, 2024, with a rain date scheduled for the evening of August 10, 2024. Other Tug Fest activities requiring a safety zone are occurring late morning through late afternoon of August 10, 2024. The duration of this safety zone is intended to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the Great River Tug Fest and Firework display. This rule resulted from concerns about the high number of recreational vessels attending the festival and fireworks display that will create unsafe conditions when combined with passing barge traffic on the Upper Mississippi River from MM 497.6 to 497.2. No vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. As used in this section, 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 or a Federal, State, or local officer designated by or assisting the COTP. 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 zone.
**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 section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, as amended by Executive Order 14094 (Modernizing Regulatory Review). 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 zone. This action involves a safety zone to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by the Great River Tug Fest and Firework display. This rule resulted from concerns about a high number of recreational vessels attending the fest and firework display that will create unsafe conditions when combined with passing barge traffic on the Upper Mississippi River from MM 497.6 to 497.2. In addition, the rule will only close the river for short periods of time for two days. Moreover, the Coast Guard will publish a Local Notice to Mariners and mariners may seek permission to enter the zone.
**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 zone 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 a safety zone on the Upper Mississippi River from MM 497.6 to 497.2 for short periods of time over two days. 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. 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**
**33 CFR Part 165**
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. 01.3.
**33 CFR Part 165**
2. Add § 165.T08-0695 to read as follows:
§ 165.T08-0695
(a) *Location.* The following area is a safety zone: all navigable waters within the Upper Mississippi River from Mile Marker 497.6 to 497.2.
(b) *Enforcement period.* This section will be subject to enforcement from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on August 9, 2024, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 10, 2024, and from 8:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. on August 10, 2024.
(c) *Regulations.* (1) In accordance with the general safety zone regulations in § 165.23, entry of persons or vessels into this safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section is prohibited unless authorized by the COTP or a designated representative. A designated representative is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) assigned to units under the operational control of USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or a designated representative via VHF-FM channel 16, or through USCG Sector Upper Mississippi River at 314-269-2332. Persons and vessels permitted to enter the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions issued by the COTP or designated representative.
(d) *Informational broadcasts.* The COTP or a designated representative will inform the public of the effective period for the safety zone as well as any changes in the dates and times of enforcement, as well as reductions in size or scope of the safety zone, through Local Notice to Mariners (LNMs), Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Safety Marine Information Broadcast (SMIB) as appropriate.
Dated: July 31, 2024.
A.R. Bender,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Upper Mississippi River.