02-22256. Safety Zone; Ventura Offshore Gran Prix, Ventura, California

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of Pierpont Bay near Ventura, California, for the Ventura Offshore Gran Prix powerboat race on September 29, 2002. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for public safety in order to protect life and prevent property damage near the racecourse. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into or transiting through this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on September 29, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket COTP Los Angeles-Long Beach 02-014 and are available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office/Group Los Angeles-Long Beach, 1001 South Seaside Avenue, Building 20, San Pedro, California, 90731 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Lieutenant Junior Grade Rob Griffiths, Assistant Chief of Waterways Management Division, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. Final dates and other logistical details for the event were not provided to the Coast Guard in time to draft and publish an NPRM or a temporary final rule 30 days prior to the event, as the event would occur before the rulemaking process was complete. Any delay in implementing this rule would be contrary to the public interest since immediate action is necessary to provide a safety zone to ensure the safety of the spectators and other vessels in the area.

Background and Purpose

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of Pierpont Bay near Ventura, California, for the Ventura Offshore Gran Prix powerboat race on September 29, 2002. Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association is sponsoring this offshore powerboat race. This race consists of approximately 40 offshore powerboats, operating at high speeds, racing along a multi-lap rectangular course located offshore Ventura between the hours of 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. The course is centered between the entrance to Ventura Harbor and Seaside Park, approximately 1/4 nautical mile offshore.

The Coast Guard will close the waterway to all vessels and persons 30 minutes prior to the start of the race and will reopen the waterway approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the race if the Coast Guard determines that it is safe to do so. A broadcast notice to mariners will be issued for this event.

Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into or transiting through this temporary safety zone during the race. By prohibiting persons and vessels from entering the waters near the racecourse, the risk of loss of life and damage to property will be significantly reduced.

U.S. Coast Guard personnel will enforce this safety zone. The Coast Guard may enlist the aid and cooperation of any federal, state, county, municipal, and/or private agency to assist in the patrol of this safety zone, which during this event may include the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Ventura Harbor Harbor Patrol, and Ventura Police.

Discussion of Rule

The following described area constitutes a temporary safety zone: all waters of Pierpont Bay near Ventura, California, from surface to bottom, encompassed by lines connecting points beginning at latitude 34°15′42″ N, longitude 119°16′40″ W; thence to 34°16′17″; N, 119°17′32″ W; thence to 34°16′17″ N, 119°19′25″ W; thence to 34°14′31″ N, 119°19′25″ W; thence to 34°14′31″ N, 119°16′40″ W; and thence returning to the point of origin. (Datum: NAD 83). This area is approximately 2 nautical miles wide and 2 nautical miles long and is geographically centered between Ventura Harbor and Seaside Park near Ventura, California.

Regulatory Evaluation

This 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 Transportation (DOT)(44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). Due to the limited scope of the safety zone, the fact that vessel traffic can pass safely around the zone, and the short duration of the zone, the Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that full regulatory evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of the DOT is unnecessary.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this 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 rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

This rule will possibly affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners and operators of private and commercial vessels intending to transit or anchor in the affected area. The impact to these entities would not, however, be significant since this zone will encompass only a small portion of the waterway for a limited period of time and vessels can safely navigate around the safety zone.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. If your small business or organization is affected by this rule and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT for assistance in understanding this rule.

Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).

Collection of Information

This rule calls 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 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 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 rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will 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 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 rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

This 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.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this 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. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Environment

We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(g), of Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation because we are establishing a temporary safety zone. A “Categorical Exclusion Determination” is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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 amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191, 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6 and 160.5; 49 CFR 1.46.

2. Add a new § 165.T11-069 to read as follows:

§ 165.T11-069

Safety Zone; Ventura Offshore Gran Prix, Ventura, California.

(a) Location. The following described area constitutes a temporary safety zone: all waters of Pierpont Bay near Ventura, California, from surface to bottom, encompassed by lines connecting points beginning at latitude 34°15′42″ N, longitude 119°16′40″ W; thence to 34°16′17″ N, 119°17′32″ W; thence to 34°16′17″ N, 119°19′25″ W; thence to 34°14′31″ N, 119°19′25″ W; thence to 34°14′31″ N, 119°16′40″ W; and thence returning to the point of origin. (Datum: NAD 83).

(b) Effective period. This section is effective from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. on September 29, 2002.

(c) Regulations. (1) In accordance with the general regulations in § 165.23 of this part, entry into, transit through, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Los Angeles-Long Beach, or his or her designated representative.

(2) Persons desiring to transit the area of the safety zone may contact the Captain of the Port at telephone number [phone] or the Patrol Commander on VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). If permission is granted, all persons and vessels must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port or his or her designated representative.

Dated: August 23, 2002.

J.M. Holmes,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Los Angeles-Long Beach, California.