Temporary Safety Zone on Fox River for Green Bay Fireworks

You might care about this because the Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Fox River in Green Bay, Wisconsin. This rule is specifically for a fireworks display. It will be active on September 5, 2026, from 9 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. The main goal is to protect people, boats, and the marine environment from any potential dangers caused by the fireworks. During this brief period, no vessels or individuals are allowed to enter the designated zone. This area covers all navigable waters of the Fox River within 500 feet of the fireworks launch location. This location is near approximate GPS coordinates 44 degrees 31.25 minutes N, 088 degrees 00.778 minutes W. The Captain of the Port for Sector Lake Michigan determined this safety measure was needed. The Coast Guard is implementing this rule without prior public comment. They received late notice of the event, on July 29, 2026, and did not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments before the September 5 event date. This immediate action is taken to ensure safety. If you need to enter the zone, you must get special permission from the Captain of the Port or their authorized representative. This rule helps keep everyone safe during the fireworks event. This legal document is particularly interesting because it shows how quickly the Coast Guard can act to protect public safety. Usually, new rules go through a process where the public can offer comments and feedback. However, in urgent situations, the Coast Guard has the authority to issue temporary rules without that step. In this specific case, the Coast Guard received notification about the fireworks display less than two months before it was scheduled. This short timeline made it impractical to follow the usual notice and comment procedures. To ensure that everyone was safe during the event, the Coast Guard decided to implement the safety zone immediately. This decision highlights the balance between regulatory procedures and the immediate need to prevent harm. It demonstrates the Coast Guard's critical role in responding to specific, short-term safety concerns on our waterways. This action also shows how legal authority can be used to prevent accidents when time is of the essence. Anyone who uses the Fox River in Green Bay, Wisconsin, would be most interested in this document. This includes recreational boaters, commercial vessel operators, and anyone planning to be near the river on the evening of September 5, 2026. Local residents living near the specified coordinates might also want to know about this temporary restriction. Event organizers planning similar activities that might affect navigable waterways should pay attention to how the Coast Guard establishes safety zones. Legal professionals specializing in maritime law or administrative law might find this an interesting example of emergency rulemaking. It shows how federal agencies balance public safety with standard regulatory procedures. Basically, if you are a boater or live in the Green Bay area, especially near the Fox River, this information directly affects you for that brief period. It is important to know about these temporary changes to ensure your own safety and to comply with federal regulations.