FR 2025-05387

The recent document from the Federal Register authored by the Coast Guard establishes a temporary safety zone in the San Francisco Bay near Pier 15 to support upcoming fireworks displays in 2025. The safety zone will be in effect during specific periods between March 22 and May 3, aligning with scheduled fireworks events. This action aims to protect those on the water as well as vessels from possible dangers associated with fireworks.

Summary

The Coast Guard recognizes the need for a regulated area on selected evenings to ensure the safety of both the public and the environment. By setting defined boundaries and timeframes for when the safety zone is enforced, individuals and vessel operators are alerted to avoid the area unless granted direct permission by the Captain of the Port, thereby safeguarding the well-being of participants and observers around the event area.

Issues and Concerns

1. Resource and Cost Implications: The document does not specify the costs associated with deploying Coast Guard resources necessary to enforce the safety zone. This omission may indicate a lack of transparency regarding the use of public funds.

2. Consideration of Alternatives: There is no mention of alternative measures considered that could lessen the zone's restrictions. This absence might suggest that less restrictive approaches were not explored or deemed feasible without public presentation.

3. Communication and Access: Vessel operators must contact the COTP for permission to enter the safety zone but the document lacks clarity on how quickly these requests will be processed, potentially creating confusion or delays.

4. Technical Language: The document’s extensive use of technical and legal jargon may hinder understanding among laypersons. Simplifying or supplementing with clearer explanations could improve compliance and awareness.

5. Public Accessibility: Accessing further information requires navigating complex online portals like regulations.gov, potentially challenging for some users. Simplification of this process might benefit the general public.

6. Visual Clarity: The lack of a map or diagram illustrating the safety zone may impede stakeholders' comprehension of the specified area. Including visual aids could bridge this gap effectively.

Impact on the Public

The establishment of such a safety zone ensures enhanced safety but could also affect local navigation plans for both commercial and recreational vessels. The enforcement period limits waterway access during the designated period, which might initially hinder routine activities.

Impact on Specific Stakeholders

• Local Businesses and Mariners: Commercial and recreational watercraft operators might experience disruption due to restricted access during the fireworks events. However, the planned timings should allow them to manage this effectively without significant inconvenience or economic impact.

• Small Entities: As certified by the Coast Guard, the rule is not expected to significantly burden small entities given the limited timeframe and precise nature of the restriction.

Overall, while the rule strikes a necessary balance between public entertainment and safety, addressing identified concerns through greater clarity, simpler communication, and potentially exploring alternative safety measures could mitigate the inconvenience and complexity faced by all relevant stakeholders.

The document refers to financial aspects primarily in the context of the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995, which requires federal agencies to assess the financial effects of their regulations, particularly when such actions might lead to expenditures of $100,000,000 or more by state, local, or tribal governments, or by the private sector in any given year. In this case, the rule clarifies that it does not result in expenditures meeting or exceeding this threshold.

Importantly, the mention of this financial threshold signals an awareness of potential economic implications associated with implementing new regulations. However, the document does not specify any direct cost estimates related to the deployment of Coast Guard resources or other necessary public funds to enforce the safety zone during the fireworks events. This omission might align with one identified issue, namely the absence of a detailed analysis on public spending required to support enforcement measures.

Furthermore, while the rule addresses the regulatory impacts on smaller entities and notes that there will not be significant economic effects on these groups, there is no detailed financial breakdown provided. This lack of detailed financial analysis may suggest a gap in accounting for potential economic impacts on local businesses and waterway users, which could have indirect costs even if below the specified federal threshold.

In summary, while the document provides a general assurance that the rule will not cause exorbitant expenses, it does not delve into specific financial details or considerations that local stakeholders might find relevant. The absence of these specifics leaves room for concerns regarding how efficiently funds—if any are allocated—will be used to balance safety and minimal disruption for the San Francisco Bay community.