FR 2024-30980

The document is an official notice from the Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. It establishes a temporary safety zone in the Beaufort River, Beaufort, South Carolina, due to a scheduled barge-based fireworks display. This safety measure is set to be in effect on the evening of December 31, 2024, or in case of adverse weather conditions, on January 1, 2025. The key reason for this decree is the protection of people, vessels, and the surrounding environment from any potential hazards that might arise from the fireworks.

General Overview

This rule imposes a temporary exclusion zone that covers a 150-yard radius around the fireworks barge. It aims to safeguard the public by restricting access to the area during the event. Only those with explicit permission from the Captain of the Port, Sector Charleston, or the designated representative, are allowed entry within this zone. The enforcement of this rule is crucial for maintaining safety during the display.

Issues and Concerns

Several issues emerge from the document. Primarily, there is no clear set of criteria outlined in the document for what conditions or circumstances would allow the Captain of the Port to grant entry into the safety zone. This omission could result in inconsistencies or confusion among the public, as people might not understand what qualifies for entry approval.

Moreover, the rule specifies that communication for entry permission must be established via Marine Band Radio VHF-FM channel 16. This might not be accessible to all individuals, particularly to those not familiar with marine radio operations. It could pose a barrier for those needing to make contact for permission.

Finally, the description of the safety zone, specified as being within "a 150-yard radius from surface to bottom," may not be easily interpretable for those without a maritime background. This could potentially lead to misunderstandings about the boundaries of the restricted area.

Impact on the Public

Broadly, this rule will temporarily affect individuals planning to navigate the specified area of the Beaufort River during the stated times. Most will experience minimal impact, as the restriction is brief and during late evening hours when general water traffic is low. However, awareness of the restriction is critical to prevent accidental violations of the safety zone.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

For boat operators and entities regularly navigating these waters, the regulation enforces a need to plan alternative routes during the fireworks display to avoid disruption. While some local business owners operating small vessels might face minor economic impacts due to the restriction, the temporary nature of the rule suggests these will be marginal.

On a positive note, ensuring safety through this limitation is beneficial, preventing potential accidents resulting from fireworks-related hazards. The designated safety zone highlights the Coast Guard's continued commitment to managing and minimizing risks during public events.

Overall, while the rule introduces some access limitations, the emphasis on safety and clear guidelines for enforcement showcases a responsible approach to managing a public event likely to draw significant attention.

The Federal Register document establishes a temporary safety zone on the Beaufort River in Beaufort, SC, for a barge-based fireworks display. The central financial reference within this rule concerns the potential costs associated with federal regulations. Specifically, the document refers to the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, which emphasizes assessing the effects of regulation-related expenditures by various governmental and private sector entities.

Financial Implications

The document mentions that federal rules should be evaluated for potential expenditures of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any given year by state, local, or tribal governments or the private sector. However, this particular rule concerning the safety zone for the fireworks display does not reach this financial threshold. Therefore, the Coast Guard's action is not anticipated to impose expenditures of this magnitude.

Relationship to Identified Issues

Although the financial reference does not directly tie into the identified issues regarding criteria for entering the zone or communication methods, it indirectly highlights the Coast Guard's consideration of potential financial impacts as part of their regulatory responsibility. However, the financial assessment does not address potential smaller-scale economic impacts on local businesses or vessels that might experience disruption due to restricted access in the designated area. While not significant enough to reach the substantial expenditure threshold outlined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, any inconvenience or operational changes for small entities could still bear minor financial costs which are not detailed in this summary.

By focusing on broader regulatory costs rather than specific financial impacts at the local level, the document ensures compliance with national financial assessment standards without delving into localized economic effects which might be of immediate concern to small entities operating in or near the specified safety zone.