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Safety Zone: Macy's July 4th Fireworks, East River, NY
Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
[Federal Register: April 23, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 78)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 20403-20405]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr23ap01-14]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[CGD01-00-242]
RIN 2115-AA97
Safety Zone: Macy's July 4th Fireworks, East River, NY
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent safety zone for
the annual Macy's July 4th fireworks display. This action is necessary
to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event.
This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the
East River.
DATES: This rule is effective May 23, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket,
are part of docket (CGD01-00-242) and are available for inspection or
copying at Waterways Oversight Branch, Coast Guard Activities New York,
212 Coast Guard Drive, room 204, Staten Island, New York 10305, between
8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant M. Day, Waterways Oversight
Branch, Coast Guard Activities New York (718) 354-4012.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory Information
On December 26, 2000, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) entitled Safety Zone: Macy's July 4th Fireworks, East River, NY
in the Federal Register (65 FR 81471). We received one letter
commenting on the proposed rule. No public hearing was requested, and
none was held.
Background and Purpose
The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent safety zone for the
annual Macy's July 4th fireworks display in the East River. The safety
zone encompasses all waters of the East River east of a line drawn from
the Fireboat Station Pier, Battery Park City, in approximate position
40 deg.42'15.4" N 074 deg.01'06.8" W (NAD 1983) to Governors Island
Light (2) (LLNR 35010), in approximate position 40 deg.41'34.4" N
074 deg.01'10.9" W (NAD 1983); north of a line drawn from Governors
Island, in approximate position 40 deg.41'25.3" N 074 deg.00'42.5" W
(NAD 1983) to the southwest corner of Pier 9A, Brooklyn; south of a
line drawn from East 47th Street, Manhattan through the southern point
of Roosevelt Island to 46 Road, Brooklyn, and all waters of Newtown
Creek west of the Pulaski Bascule Bridge.
Vessels equal to or greater than 20 meters (65.6 feet) in length,
carrying persons for the purpose of viewing the fireworks, may take
position in an area inside the safety zone, at least 200 yards off the
bulkhead on the west bank and just off the pierhead faces on the east
bank of the East River between the Williamsburg Bridge and North 9th
Street, Brooklyn. This area is bound by the following points:
40 deg.42'45.5" N 073 deg.58'07.4" W; thence to 40 deg.42'50.4" N
073 deg.58'23.2" W; thence to 40 deg.43'23.1" N 073 deg.58'12.7" W;
thence to 40 deg.43'21.5" N 073 deg.57'45.7" W; (NAD 1983) thence back
to the point of beginning. All vessels must be in this location by 6:30
p.m. (e.s.t.) the day of the event.
Once in position within the zone, all vessels must remain in
position until released by the Captain of the Port, New York. On-scene-
patrol personnel will monitor the number of designated vessels taking
position in the viewing area of the zone. If it becomes apparent that
any additional spectator vessels in the viewing area will create a
safety hazard, the patrol commander may prevent additional vessels from
entering it. After the event has concluded and the fireworks barges
have safely relocated outside of the main channel, vessels will be
allowed to depart the
[[Page 20404]]
viewing area as directed by the patrol commander.
We created the viewing area within this safety zone in order to
reduce significant safety hazards in this area of the East River, due
in great part, to the extremely strong currents. Based on experience
from similar events in this area of the East River, we are concerned
that smaller spectator craft located in between the two fireworks barge
sites could drift into the fallout zone of either barge site.
Additionally, experience from previous events has also shown that
having large and small craft located in a confined area presents safety
hazards for both sized vessels due to vessel wake, anchor swing radii,
and restricted visibility of larger vessels in a confined area.
One safety zone is required for this large section of the East
River because the Coast Guard has a limited amount of assets available
to patrol this event. If we made this zone into two zones, we could not
adequately enforce the boundaries of both zones, and the safety of the
port and the mariners would be unacceptably compromised because of the
two nearby fireworks barge locations in a confined waterway with
significant currents. Fireworks barge locations are normally south of
Roosevelt Island and the Brooklyn Bridge.
The Staten Island Ferries may continue services to their ferry slip
at Whitehall Street, Manhattan. Continuing ferry services in the
southwestern portion of the safety zone will not create a hazard nor be
threatened by the fireworks display because Vessel Traffic Services New
York will monitor and control the transits of these ferries. Failure to
allow these continued ferry services will have a negative impact on
residents of Staten Island, NY, and those persons traveling to and from
Manhattan at the end of a national holiday.
The safety zone is effective from 6:30 p.m. (e.s.t.) until 11:30
p.m. (e.s.t.) on July 4th. If the event is cancelled due to inclement
weather, then this safety zone is effective from 6:30 p.m. (e.s.t.)
until 11:30 p.m. (e.s.t.) on July 5th. The safety zone prevents vessels
from transiting this portion of the East River and is needed to protect
boaters from the hazards associated with fireworks launched from 6
barges in the area. No vessel may enter the safety zone without
permission from the Captain of the Port, New York.
This safety zone covers the minimum area needed and imposes the
minimum restrictions necessary to ensure the protection of all vessels
and the fireworks handlers aboard the barges.
Public notifications will be made prior to the event via the Local
Notice to Mariners, marine information broadcasts, facsimile, and
Macy's waterways telephone hotline. In previous years this telephone
hotline has been established in early June.
The size of this safety zone was determined using National Fire
Protection Association and New York City Fire Department standards for
8 to 12 inch mortars fired from a barge, combined with the Coast
Guard's knowledge of tide and current conditions in this area. One
safety zone is required for this large section of the East River
because the Coast Guard has a limited amount of assets available to
patrol this event. If we made this zone into two zones, we could not
adequately enforce the boundaries of both zones, and the safety of the
port and the mariners would be unacceptably compromised because of the
two nearby fireworks barge locations in a confined waterway with
significant currents.
Discussion of Comments and Changes
The Coast Guard received one letter commenting on the proposed
rulemaking. No changes were made to this rulemaking. The commenter
stated that the fireworks display will: (1) Emit thousands of pounds of
air pollutants, some of which are the toxic combustion products of
coloring agents used for the display; (2) be a violation of the Act to
Prevent Pollution From Ships as it is an un-permitted discharge from
the fireworks barges, including the discharge of plastics; (3) result
in an adverse environmental impact due to the aggregation of spectator
boats; and (4) require the Coast Guard to review its obligations for
consistency review under the Coastal Zone Management Act.
The Coast Guard has determined that these matters are properly
addressed in the determination whether to grant a marine event permit
for the underlying fireworks event rather than in this rulemaking. It
is the underlying event that triggers consideration of these items
rather than this rulemaking itself. This rule, in accordance with our
statutory authority, is limited to protecting safety of human life on
the navigable waters during the event, which has not been approved yet.
Prior to deciding whether to issue a marine event permit for this
display, the Coast Guard will take these matters into account.
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 it 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).
We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a
full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory
policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.
This safety zone temporarily closes a major portion of the East
River to vessel traffic. There is a regular flow of traffic through
this area; however, the impact of this regulation is expected to be
minimal for the following reasons: the limited duration of the event;
the extensive, advance advisories that will be made to allow the
maritime community to schedule transits before and after the event; the
event is taking place at a late hour on a national holiday; the event
has been held for twenty-three years in succession and is therefore
anticipated annually, small businesses may experience an increase in
revenue due to the event; advance notifications will be made to the
local maritime community by the Local Notice to Mariners, marine
information broadcasts, facsimile, and the event sponsor establishes
and advertises a telephone hotline which waterways users may call prior
to the event for details of the safety zone. This telephone number will
be published via the Local Notice to Mariners and facsimile. The number
is normally activated in early June each 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 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 East River during the times these
zones are activated.
This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: the
limited duration of the event; the extensive,
[[Page 20405]]
advance advisories that will be made to allow the maritime community to
schedule transits before and after the event; the event is taking place
at a late hour on a national holiday; the event has been held for
twenty-three years in succession and is therefore anticipated annually,
small businesses may experience an increase in revenue due to the
event; advance notifications will be made to the local maritime
community by the Local Notice to Mariners, marine information
broadcasts, facsimile, and the event sponsor establishes and advertises
a telephone hotline which waterways users may call prior to the event
for details of the safety zone. This telephone number will be published
via the Local Notice to Mariners and facsimile. The number is normally
activated in early June each year.
Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offered to assist small
entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. However,
we received no requests for assistance from small entities.
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's having first provided the funds to pay
those unfunded mandate 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 Executive Order 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 Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation,
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
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 concern an
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may
disproportionately affect children.
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.
Environment
We considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded
that, under figure 2-1, paragraph 34(g), of Commandant Instruction
M16475.1C, this rule is categorically excluded from further
environmental documentation. This rule fits paragraph 34(g) as it
establishes a safety zone. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is
available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
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: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g),
6.04-1, 6.04-6, 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.
2. Add Sec. 165.166 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.166 Safety Zone: Macy's July 4th Fireworks, East River, NY.
(a) Regulated Area. The following area is a safety zone: All waters
of the East River east of a line drawn from the Fireboat Station Pier,
Battery Park City, in approximate position 40 deg.42'15.4" N
074 deg.01'06.8" W (NAD 1983) to Governors Island Light (2) (LLNR
35010), in approximate position 40 deg.41'34.4" N 074 deg.01'10.9" W
(NAD 1983); north of a line drawn from Governors Island, in approximate
position 40 deg.41'25.3" N 074 deg.00'42.5" W (NAD 1983) to the
southwest corner of Pier 9A, Brooklyn; south of a line drawn from East
47th Street, Manhattan through the southern point of Roosevelt Island
to 46 Road, Brooklyn, and all waters of Newtown Creek west of the
Pulaski Bascule Bridge.
(b) Activation period. This section is activated annually from 6:30
p.m. until 11:30 p.m. on July 4th. If the event is cancelled due to
inclement weather then this section is in effect from 6:30 p.m. until
11:30 p.m. on July 5th.
(c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR
165.23 apply.
(2) No vessels, except the Staten Island Ferries, will be allowed
to transit the safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the
Port, New York.
(3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of
the Coast Guard Captain of the Port or the designated on-scene patrol
personnel. These personnel comprise commissioned, warrant, and petty
officers of the Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard
vessel by siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator of
a vessel shall proceed as directed.
(4) Vessels equal to or greater than 20 meters (65.6 feet) in
length, carrying persons for the purpose of viewing the fireworks, may
take position in an area inside the safety zone, at least 200 yards off
the bulkhead on the west bank and just off the pierhead faces on the
east bank of the East River between the Williamsburg Bridge and North
9th Street, Brooklyn. This area is bound by the following points:
40 deg.42'45.5" N 073 deg.58'07.4" W; thence to 40 deg.42'50.4" N
073 deg.58'23.2" W; thence to 40 deg.43'23.1" N 073 deg.58'12.7" W;
thence to 40 deg.43'21.5" N 073 deg.57'45.7" W; (NAD 1983) thence back
to the point of beginning. All vessels must be in this location by 6:30
p.m. (e.s.t.) the day of the event.
Dated: April 11, 2001.
R.E. Bennis,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, New York.
[FR Doc. 01-9990 Filed 4-20-01; 8:45 am]
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