2026-14044: Safety Zone; Fireworks Display, Columbia River, Cascade Locks, OR
Public comment closed · opened July 13, 2026.
Get alerted when the next rule lands
New rules open for comment on their own schedule. Pick how you want to hear about them — we email you when one appears.
Publishing to members? Embed a live rule tracker on your own site — the proposed rules in your area and the comment deadlines closing on them, updating themselves. Free, one line of HTML.
Create a free account & build one →Summary
The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Columbia River. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by fireworks displays on the Columbia River on September 19, 2026. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
The agency’s own summary, as published.
The rule, in full
1,670 words as published, July 13, 2026. View the original →
Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 132 (Monday, July 13, 2026) [Federal Register Volume 91, Number 132 (Monday, July 13, 2026)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 42906-42908] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-14044] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket Number USCG-2026-0766] RIN 1625-AA00 Safety Zone; Fireworks Display, Columbia River, Cascade Locks, OR
Agency
Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary
The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Columbia River. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by fireworks displays on the Columbia River on September 19, 2026. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Dates
Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before August 12, 2026.
Addresses
To submit comments and view available documents, go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for USCG-2026-0766.
For Further Information Contact
If you have questions about this proposed rule, contact LCDR Jesse Wallace, Sector Columbia River Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 503-572- 3524, or email [email protected].
Supplementary Information
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations COTP Captain of the Port DHS Department of Homeland Security FR Federal Register NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking Sec. Section U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
On April 8, 2026, an event organizer notified the Coast Guard that they will be launching fireworks over the Columbia River near Cascade Locks, OR on September 19, 2026. Hazards from fireworks displays include accidental discharge of fireworks, dangerous projectiles, and falling hot embers or other debris. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Columbia River has determined that potential hazards associated with fireworks are a safety concern for anyone within 1,200 feet of the fireworks display. Therefore, the COTP is proposing this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, which is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This proposed rule would establish a safety zone from 8 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. on September 19, 2026. The safety zone would cover all navigable waters within a 1,200 foot radius of the fireworks launch site. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated representative. The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this document.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed 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.
A. 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 [[Page 42907]] operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. Section 605 of the RFA allows an agency to certify a rule, in lieu of preparing an analysis, if the rulemaking is not expected to have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit around this regulated area. This regulation will only impact a small area for a few hours. The enforcement period is during a time when vessel traffic is normally low. In addition, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF FM marine channel 16, which will allow small entities to adjust their transit plans, and the rule allows vessels to request permission to enter the regulated area from the COTP. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this proposed rule would economically affect it. Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this proposed rule will affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 1-888- REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
B. Collection of Information
This proposed rule will not call for a new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501- 3520).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that Order. Also, this proposed 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.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this proposed rule will not result in an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation) by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector.
E. Environment
We have analyzed this proposed 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-et seq.), 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 proposed rule is a safety zone. 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. 1.
V. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking and will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments at https://www.regulations.gov. To do so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2026-0766 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment option. If you cannot submit your material by using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate instructions. Viewing material in the docket. To view available documents, find the docket as described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting & Related Material'' in the Document Type column. We will post public comments in our online docket. Additional information is on the https://www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked Questions webpage. Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020). 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 is proposing to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows: PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS 0
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. 01.4. 0
2. Add Sec. 165.T13-0766 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T130766 Safety Zone; Fireworks Display, Columbia River, Cascade Locks, OR. (a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All navigable waters within a 1,200-foot radius of a fireworks launch site in Cascade Locks, OR. The fireworks launch site will be at the approximate point of 45[deg]40'15'' N, 121[deg]53'43'' W. (b) Definitions. As used in this section, designated representative means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Columbia River in the enforcement of the safety zone. (c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's [[Page 42908]] representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 1-(833) 769- 8724. Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative. (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. on September 19, 2026. Anthony R. Migliorini, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Columbia River. [FR Doc. 2026-14044 Filed 7-10-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
What this changes
Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.
Rulemaking docket
-
Proposed Rule July 13, 2026Safety Zone; Fireworks Display, Columbia River, Cascade Locks, OR
Public comments
What people are saying
-
Anonymous Anonymous 2026-08-11
“Thank you for standing watch while the rest of us enjoy the show. deep appreciation for everything you do”
Read all comments on Regulations.gov →
Comment volume from Regulations.gov; the comment-submission API was retired in 2025, so comments are filed on Regulations.gov directly.
Documents
- Full text (Federal Register) · July 13, 2026
Don't miss the comment window
One Click Politics alerts you on every deadline, hearing, and rule change.
See all rules with comments due soon →