The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Fox River, in Green Bay, WI. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with an overwater fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan, or their designated representative.

Dates

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This rule is effective on September 5, 2026, from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.

Addresses

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To view available documents go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for USCG-2026-1058.

For further information contact

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If you have questions about this rule, contact MSTC Dylan Caikowski, Sector Lake Michigan, Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (571) 608-0739, or email [email protected].

I. Table of Abbreviations

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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

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The Coast Guard received notification that fireworks will be launched from land adjacent to the Fox River in Green Bay, WI. The Captain of the Port (COTP) Sector Lake Michigan has determined that potential hazards associated with fireworks are a safety concern for anyone within 500 feet of the fireworks display. Therefore, the COTP is issuing 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.

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Because of these potential hazards, the Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and comment. As is authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because it is impracticable. The Coast Guard was notified of this event on July 29, 2026, but we must establish this safety zone by September 5, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments. For the same reason, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

III. Discussion of the Rule

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This rule establishes a temporary safety zone on September 5, 2026, from 9 p.m. until 9:45 p.m. The safety zone will cover all navigable waters of the Fox River within 500 feet of the fireworks launch location in approximate GPS position 44[deg]31.25' N, 088[deg]00.778' W. Vessels and persons will not be allowed to enter the zone during this time, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan or a designated representative.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

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We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analysis based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders.