[Federal Register: July 13, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 134)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 39613-39616]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13jy06-42]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[CGD05-06-065]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Choptank River,
Cambridge, MD
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local
regulations during the ``Cambridge Offshore Challenge'', a marine event
to be held over the waters of the Choptank River at Cambridge,
Maryland. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for
the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is
intended to restrict vessel traffic in the Choptank River during the
event.
DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or
before August 14, 2006.
ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander
(dpi), Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth,
Virginia
[[Page 39614]]
23704-5004, hand-deliver them to Room 416 at the same address between 9
a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, or fax
them to (757) 398-6203. The Inspections and Investigations Branch,
Fifth Coast Guard District, maintains the public docket for this
rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket,
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or
copying at the above address between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Sens, Project Manager,
Inspections and Investigations Branch, at (757) 398-6204.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD05-06-
065), indicate the specific section of this document to which each
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit
all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know
they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or
envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during
the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.
Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a
request for a meeting by writing to the address listed under ADDRESSES
explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would
aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by
a later notice in the Federal Register.
Background and Purpose
On September 23 and 24, 2006, the Chesapeake Bay Powerboat
Association will sponsor the ``2006 Cambridge Offshore Challenge'', on
the waters of the Choptank River at Cambridge, Maryland. The event will
consist of approximately 40 offshore powerboats conducting high-speed
competitive races between the Route 50 Bridge and Oystershell Point,
MD. A fleet of approximately 250 spectator vessels is expected to
gather nearby to view the competition. Due to the need for vessel
control during the event, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted
to provide for the safety of participants, spectators and transiting
vessels.
Discussion of Proposed Rule
The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local
regulations on specified waters of the Choptank River. The temporary
special local regulations will be enforced from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
on September 23 and 24, 2006, and will restrict general navigation in
the regulated area during the event. Except for participants and
vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or
vessel will be allowed to enter or remain in the regulated area. These
regulations are needed to control vessel traffic during the event to
enhance the safety of participants, spectators and transiting vessels.
Regulatory Evaluation
This proposed rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review,
and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits
under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and
Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not ``significant''
under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of
Homeland Security (DHS).
We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies
and procedures of DHS is unnecessary.
Although this proposed regulation will prevent traffic from
transiting a portion of the Choptank River during the event, the effect
of this regulation will not be significant due to the limited duration
that the regulated area will be in effect. Extensive advance
notifications will be made to the maritime community via Local Notice
to Mariners, marine information broadcasts, and area newspapers, so
mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. Additionally, the proposed
regulated area has been narrowly tailored to impose the least impact on
general navigation yet provide the level of safety deemed necessary.
Vessel traffic will be able to transit the regulated area between
heats, when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is safe to do so.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have
considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small
entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
50,000.
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. This proposed rule would affect the following
entities, some of which might be small entities: The owners or
operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in a portion of the
Choptank River during the event.
This proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on
a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This
proposed rule would be in effect for only a limited period. Vessel
traffic will be able to transit the regulated area between heats, when
the Coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is safe to do so. Before the
enforcement period, we will issue maritime advisories so mariners can
adjust their plans accordingly.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this 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 rule would economically affect it.
Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small
entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the
rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or
options for compliance, please contact the address listed under
ADDRESSES. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities
that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of
the Coast Guard.
Collection of Information
This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct
[[Page 39615]]
effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law
or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have
analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and have determined that
it does not have implications for federalism.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 or more in any
one year. Though this proposed rule would not result in such an
expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this
preamble.
Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would not effect a taking of private property or
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630,
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected
Property Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and
3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize
litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045,
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might
disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it would 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.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211,
Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use
of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects
under Executive Order 13211.
Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress,
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus
standards bodies.
This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
Environment
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD, and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive
5100.1, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and
have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit
the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the
Instruction. Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under
figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, from further
environmental documentation. Special local regulations issued in
conjunction with a regatta or marine parade permit are specifically
excluded from further analysis and documentation under that section.
Under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, an
``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a ``Categorical Exclusion
Determination'' are not required for this rule. Comments on this
section will be considered before we make the final decision on whether
to categorically exclude this rule from further environmental review.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:
PART 100--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233; Department of Homeland Security
Delegation No. 0170.1.
2. Add a temporary Sec. 100.35-T05-065 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.35-T05-065 Choptank River, Cambridge, MD.
(a) Definitions: The following definitions apply to this section:
(1) Coast Guard Patrol Commander means a commissioned, warrant, or
petty officer of the Coast Guard who has been designated by the
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore.
(2) Official Patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore with a commissioned, warrant,
or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
(3) Participant includes all vessels participating in the 2006
Cambridge Offshore Challenge under the auspices of the Marine Event
Permit issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast
Guard Sector Baltimore.
(b) Regulated area: A regulated area is established for all waters
of the Choptank River, from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the west
by the Route 50 Bridge and bounded to the east by a line drawn along
longitude 076[deg] W, between Goose Point, MD and Oystershell Point,
MD. All coordinates reference Datum: NAD 1983.
(c) Special local regulations: (1) Except for event participants
and persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander,
no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area.
(2) The operator of any vessel in the regulated area must:
(i) Stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by any
Official Patrol.
(ii) Proceed as directed by any Official Patrol.
(iii) When authorized to transit the regulated area, all vessels
shall proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course
that minimizes wake near the race course.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 10:30
a.m. on
[[Page 39616]]
September 23, 2006 to 4:30 p.m. on September 24, 2006.
Dated: June 29, 2006.
L.L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E6-10982 Filed 7-12-06; 8:45 am]
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