2019-08986. Special Local Regulations; Sector Ohio Valley Annual and Recurring Special Local Regulations Update

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is amending and updating its special local regulations relating to recurring marine parades, regattas, and other events that take place in the Coast Guard Sector Ohio Valley area of responsibility (AOR). This rule informs the public of regularly scheduled events that require additional safety measures through the establishing of a special local regulation. Through this rulemaking the current list of recurring special local regulations is updated with revisions, additional events, and removal of events that no longer take place in Sector Ohio Valley's AOR. When these special local regulations are enforced, certain restrictions are placed on marine traffic in specified areas.

DATES:

This rule is effective May 2, 2019.

ADDRESSES:

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov,, type USCG-2019-0014 in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this rule, call or email Petty Officer Riley Jackson, Sector Ohio Valley, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations

COTP Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking

§ Section

U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

The Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley (COTP) is establishing, amending, and updating its current list of recurring special local regulations codified under 33 CFR 100.801 in Table no. 1, for the COTP Ohio Valley zone.

On March 28, 2019, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled Sector Ohio Valley Annual and Recurring Special Local Regulations Update (84 FR 11688). During the comment period that ended April 12, 2019, zero comments were received.

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for making it effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of this rule would be impracticable and contrary to the public interest because immediate action is necessary to respond to the potential safety hazards associated with these marine events.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

The Coast Guard's authority for establishing a special local regulation is contained at 33 U.S.C. 1233. The Coast Guard is amending and updating the special local regulations under 33 CFR part 100 to include the most up to date list of recurring special local regulations for events held on or around navigable waters within the Sector Ohio Valley AOR. These events include marine parades, boat races, swim events, and others. The current list under 33 CFR 100.801 requires amending to provide new information on existing special local regulations, include new special local regulations expected to recur annually or biannually, and to remove special local regulations that are no longer required. Issuing individual regulations for each new special local regulation, amendment, or removal of an existing special local regulation creates unnecessary administrative costs and burdens. This rulemaking reduces administrative overhead and provides the public with notice through publication in the Federal Register of the upcoming recurring special local regulations.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

As noted above, we received zero comments on our NPRM published March 28, 2019. There are no changes in the regulatory text of this rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.

V. Regulatory Analyses

We developed this 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, and we discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been designated a “significant regulatory action,” under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.

The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this rule to be minimal, and therefore a full regulatory evaluation is unnecessary. This rule establishes special local regulations limiting access to certain areas under 33 CFR 100 within Sector Ohio Valley's AOR. The effect of this rulemaking will not be significant because these special local regulations are limited in scope and duration. Deviation from the special local regulations established through this proposed rulemaking may be requested from the appropriate COTP and requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Broadcast Notices to Mariners and Local Notices to Mariners will inform the community of these special local regulations so that they may plan accordingly for these short restrictions on transit. Vessel traffic may request permission from the COTP Ohio Valley or a designated representative to enter the restricted areas.

B. 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 operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. The Coast Guard received no comments from the Small Business Administration on this rulemaking. 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.

While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the special local regulation may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section V.A above this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any vessel owner or operator.

This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the special local regulation areas during periods of enforcement. The special local regulations will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they are limited in scope and will be in effect for short periods of time. Before the enforcement period, the Coast Guard COTP will issue maritime advisories widely available to waterway users. Deviation from the special local regulations established through this rulemaking may be requested from the appropriate COTP and requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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 rule. 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 person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

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). 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.

C. Collection of Information

This rule will not call for a new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order13132.

Also, 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. If you believe this rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

E. 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 (adjusted for inflation) 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.

F. Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), 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 rule involves the establishment of special local regulations related to marine event permits for marine parades, regattas, and other marine events. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L61 of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A Record of Environmental Consideration (REC) supporting this determination is available in the docket where indicated in the ADDRESSES section of this preamble.

G. Protest Activities

The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places or vessels.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

• Marine safety
• Navigation (water)
• Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and Waterways

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the U.S. Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 100 as follows:

PART 100— SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERWAYS

1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05-1.

2. Amend § 100.801 by revising table 1 to read as follows:

§ 100.801

Annual Marine Events in Sector Ohio Valley's AOR.

* * * * *

Table 1 to § 100.801—Sector Ohio Valley Annual and Recurring Marine Events

Date	Event/sponsor	Ohio valley location	Regulated area
1. 3 days—Second or third weekend in March	Oak Ridge Rowing Association/Cardinal Invitational	Oak Ridge, TN	Clinch River, Mile 48.5-52.0 (Tennessee).
2. 1 day—Third weekend in March	Vanderbilt Rowing/Vanderbilt Invite	Nashville, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 188.0-192.7 (Tennessee).
3. 2 days—Fourth weekend in March	Oak Ridge Rowing Association/Atomic City Turn and Burn	Oak Ridge, TN	Clinch River, Mile 48.5-52.0 (Tennessee).
4. 1 day—One weekend in April	Lindamood Cup	Marietta, OH	Muskingum River, Mile 0.5-1.5 (Ohio).
5. 3 days—Third weekend in April	Oak Ridge Rowing Association/SIRA Regatta	Oak Ridge, TN	Clinch River, Mile 48.5-52.0 (Tennessee).
6. 2 days—Third Friday and Saturday in April	Thunder Over Louisville	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 597.0-604.0 (Kentucky).
7. 1 day—During the last week of April or first week of May	Great Steamboat Race	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 595.0-605.3 (Kentucky).
8. 3 days—Fourth weekend in April	Oak Ridge Rowing Association/Dogwood Junior Regatta	Oak Ridge, TN	Clinch River, Mile 48.5-52.0 (Tennessee).
9. 3 days—Second weekend in May	Vanderbilt Rowing/ACRA Henley	Nashville, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 188.0-194.0 (Tennessee).
10. 3 days—Second weekend in May	Oak Ridge Rowing Association/Big 12 Championships	Oak Ridge, TN	Clinch River, Mile 48.5-52.0 (Tennessee).
11. 3 days—Third weekend in May	Oak Ridge Rowing Association/Dogwood Masters	Oak Ridge, TN	Clinch River, Mile 48.5-52.0 (Tennessee).
12. 1 day—Third weekend in May	World Triathlon Corporation/IRONMAN 70.3	Chattanooga, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 462.7-467.5 (Tennessee).
13. 1 day—During the last weekend in May or on Memorial Day	Mayor's Hike, Bike and Paddle	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 601.0-604.5 (Kentucky).
14. 2 days—Last weekend in May or first weekend in June	Visit Knoxville/Racing on the Tennessee	Knoxville, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 647.0-648.0 (Tennessee).
15. 3 days—First weekend in June	Outdoor Chattanooga/Chattanooga Swim Festival	Chattanooga, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 454.0-468.0 (Tennessee).
16. 2 days—First weekend of June	Thunder on the Bay/KDBA	Pisgah Bay, KY	Tennessee River, Mile 30.0 (Kentucky).
17. 1 day—First weekend in June	Visit Knoxville/Knoxville Powerboat Classic	Knoxville, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 646.4-649.0 (Tennessee).
18. 1 day—One weekend in June	Tri-Louisville	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 600.5-604.0 (Kentucky).
19. 2 days—One weekend in June	New Martinsville Vintage Regatta	New Martinsville,WV	Ohio River Mile 127.5-128.5 (West Virginia).
20. 3 days—One of the last three weekends in June	Lawrenceburg Regatta/Whiskey City Regatta	Lawrenceburg, IN	Ohio River, Mile 491.0-497.0 (Indiana).
21. 3 days—One of the last three weekends in June	Hadi Shrine/Evansville Shriners Festival	Evansville, IN	Ohio River, Mile 790.0-796.0 (Indiana).
22. 3 days—Third weekend in June	TM Thunder LLC/Thunder on the Cumberland	Nashville, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 189.6-192.3 (Tennessee).
23. 1 day—Third or fourth weekend in June	Greater Morgantown Convention and Visitors Bureau/Mountaineer Triathlon	Morgantown, WV	Monongahela River, Mile 101.0-102.0 (West Virginia).
24. 1 day—Fourth weekend in June	Team Magic/Chattanooga Waterfront Triathlon	Chattanooga, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 462.7-466.0 (Tennessee).
25. 3 days—The last weekend in June or one of the first two weekends in July	Madison Regatta	Madison, IN	Ohio River, Mile 554.0-561.0 (Indiana).
26. 1 day—During the first week of July	Evansville Freedom Celebration/4th of July Freedom Celebration	Evansville, IN	Ohio River, Mile 790.0-797.0 (Indiana).
27. First weekend in July	Eddyville Creek Marina/Thunder Over Eddy Bay	Eddyville, KY	Cumberland River, Mile 46.0-47.0 (Kentucky).
28. 2 days—One of the first two weekends in July	Thunder on the Bay/KDBA	Pisgah Bay, KY	Tennessee River, Mile 30.0 (Kentucky).
29. 1 day—Second weekend in July	Bradley Dean/Renaissance Man Triathlon	Florence, AL	Tennessee River, Mile 254.0-258.0 (Alabama).
30. 1 day—Third or fourth Sunday of July	Tucson Racing/Cincinnati Triathlon	Cincinnati, OH	Ohio River, Mile 468.3-471.2 (Ohio).
31. 2 days—One of the last three weekends in July	Dare to Care/KFC Mayor's Cup Paddle Sports Races/Voyageur Canoe World Championships	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 600.0-605.0 (Kentucky).
32. 2 days—Last two weeks in July or first three weeks of August	Friends of the Riverfront Inc./Pittsburgh Triathlon and Adventure Races	Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny River, Mile 0.0-1.5 (Pennsylvania).
33. 1 day—Fourth weekend in July	Team Magic/Music City Triathlon	Nashville, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 189.7-192.3 (Tennessee).
34. 2 days—One weekend in July	Huntington Classic Regatta	Huntington, WV	Ohio River, Mile 307.3-309.3 (West Virginia).
35. 2 days—One weekend in July	Marietta Riverfront Roar Regatta	Marietta, OH	Ohio River, Mile 171.6-172.6 (Ohio).
36. 1 day—Last weekend in July or first weekend in August	HealthyTriState.org/St. Marys Tri State Kayathalon	Huntington, WV	Ohio River, Mile 305.1-308.3 (West Virginia).
37. 1 day—first Sunday in August	Above the Fold Events/Riverbluff Triathlon	Ashland City, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 157.0-159.5 (Tennessee).
38. 3 days—First week of August	EQT Pittsburgh Three Rivers Regatta	Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny River mile 0.0-1.0, Ohio River mile 0.0-0.8, Monongahela River mile 0.5 (Pennsylvania).
39. 2 days—First weekend of August	Thunder on the Bay/KDBA	Pisgah Bay, KY	Tennessee River, Mile 30.0 (Kentucky).
40. 1 day—First or second weekend in August	Riverbluff Triathlon	Ashland City, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 157.0-159.0 (Tennessee).
41. 1 day—One of the first two weekends in August	Green Umbrella/Ohio River Paddlefest	Cincinnati, OH	Ohio River, Mile 458.5-476.4 (Ohio and Kentucky).
42. 2 days—Third full weekend (Saturday and Sunday) in August	Ohio County Tourism/Rising Sun Boat Races	Rising Sun, IN	Ohio River, Mile 504.0-508.0 (Indiana and Kentucky).
43. 3 days—Second or Third weekend in August	Kittanning Riverbration Boat Races	Kittanning, PA	Allegheny River mile 42.0-46.0 (Pennsylvania).
44. 3 days—One of the last two weekends in August	Thunder on the Green	Livermore, KY	Green River, Mile 69.0-72.5 (Kentucky).
45. 1 day—Fourth weekend in August	Team Rocket Tri-Club/Rocketman Triathlon	Huntsville, AL	Tennessee River, Mile 332.2-335.5 (Alabama).
46. 1 day—Last weekend in August	Tennessee Clean Water Network/Downtown Dragon Boat Races	Knoxville, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 646.3-648.7 (Tennessee).
47. 3 days—One weekend in August	Pro Water Cross Championships	Charleston, WV	Kanawha River, Mile 56.7-57.6 (West Virginia).
48. 2 days—One weekend in August	POWERBOAT NATIONALS—Ravenswood Regatta	Ravenswood, WV	Ohio River, Mile 220.5-221.5 (West Virginia).
49. 2 days—One weekend in August	Powerboat Nationals-Parkersburg Regatta/Parkersburg Homecoming	Parkersburg, WV	Ohio River Mile 183.5-285.5 (West Virginia).
50. 1 day—One weekend in August	YMCA River Swim	Charleston, WV	Kanawha River, Mile 58.3-61.8 (West Virginia).
51. 3 days—One weekend in August	Grand Prix of Louisville	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 601.0-605.0 (Kentucky).
52. 3 days—One weekend in August	Evansville HydroFest	Evansville, IN	Ohio River, Mile 790.5-794.0 (Indiana).
53. 1 day—First or second weekend of September	SUP3Rivers The Southside Outside	Pittsburgh, PA	Monongahela River mile 0.0-3.09 Allegheny River mile 0.0-0.6 (Pennsylvania).
54. 1 day—First weekend in September or on Labor Day	Mayor's Hike, Bike and Paddle	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 601.0-610.0 (Kentucky).
55. 2 days—Sunday before Labor Day and Labor Day	Cincinnati Bell, WEBN, and Proctor and Gamble/Riverfest	Cincinnati, OH	Ohio River, Mile 463.0-477.0 (Kentucky and Ohio) and Licking River Mile 0.0-3.0 (Kentucky).
56. 2 days—Labor Day weekend	Wheeling Vintage Race Boat Association Ohio/Wheeling Vintage Regatta	Wheeling, WV	Ohio River, Mile 90.4-91.5 (West Virginia).
57. 2 days—One of the first three weekends in September	Louisville Dragon Boat Festival	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 602.0-604.5 (Kentucky).
58. 1 day—One of the first three weekends in September	Cumberland River Compact/Cumberland River Dragon Boat Festival	Nashville, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 189.7-192.1 (Tennessee).
59. 2 days—One of the first three weekends in September	State Dock/Cumberland Poker Run	Jamestown, KY	Lake Cumberland (Kentucky).
60. 3 days—One of the first three weekends in September	Fleur de Lis Regatta	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 600.0-605.0 (Kentucky).
61. 1 day—Second weekend in September	City of Clarksville/Clarksville Riverfest Cardboard Boat Regatta	Clarksville, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 125.0-126.0 (Tennessee).
62. 1 day—One Sunday in September	Ohio River Sternwheel Festival Committee Sternwheel race reenactment	Marietta, OH	Ohio River, Mile 170.5-172.5 (Ohio).
63. 1 Day—One weekend in September	Parkesburg Paddle Fest	Parkersburg, WV	Ohio River, Mile 184.3-188 (West Virginia).
64. 2 days—One of the last three weekends in September	Madison Vintage Thunder	Madison, IN	Ohio River, Mile 556.5-559.5 (Indiana).
65. 1 day—Third Sunday in September	Team Rocket Tri Club/Swim Hobbs Island	Huntsville, AL	Tennessee River, Mile 332.3-338.0 (Alabama).
66. 1 day—Fourth or fifth weekend in September	Knoxville Open Water Swimmers/Bridges to Bluffs	Knoxville, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 641.0-648.0 (Tennessee).
67. 1 day—Fourth or fifth Sunday in September	Green Umbrella/Great Ohio River Swim	Cincinnati, OH	Ohio River, Mile 468.8-471.2 (Ohio and Kentucky).
68. 1 day—One of the last two weekends in September	Ohio River Open Water Swim	Prospect, KY	Ohio River, Mile 587.0-591.0 (Kentucky).
69. 2 days—One of the last three weekends in September or the first weekend in October	Captain Quarters Regatta	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 594.0-598.0 (Kentucky).
70. 3 days—One of the last three weekends in September or one of the first two weekends in October	Owensboro Air Show	Owensboro, KY	Ohio River, Mile 754.0-760.0 (Kentucky).
71. 1 day—Last weekend in September	World Triathlon Corporation/IRONMAN Chattanooga	Chattanooga, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 462.7-467.5 (Tennessee).
72. 3 days—Last weekend of September and/or first weekend in October	New Martinsville Records and Regatta Challenge Committee	New Martinsville, WV	Ohio River, Mile 128-129 (West Virginia).
73. 2 days—First weekend of October	Three Rivers Rowing Association/Head of the Ohio Regatta	Pittsburgh, PA	Allegheny River mile 0.0-5.0 (Pennsylvania).
74. 1 day—First or second weekend in October	Lookout Rowing Club/Chattanooga Head Race	Chattanooga, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 463.0-468.0 (Tennessee).
75. 3 days—First or Second weekend in October	Vanderbilt Rowing/Music City Head Race	Nashville, TN	Cumberland River, Mile 189.5-196.0 (Tennessee).
76. 2 days—One of the first three weekends in October	Norton Healthcare/Ironman Triathlon	Louisville, KY	Ohio River, Mile 600.5-605.5 (Kentucky).
77. 3 days—First weekend in November	Atlanta Rowing Club/Head of the Hooch Rowing Regatta	Chattanooga, TN	Tennessee River, Mile 463.0-468.0 (Tennessee).
78. 1 day—One weekend in November or December	Charleston Lighted Boat Parade	Charleston, WV	Kanawha River, Mile 54.3-60.3 (West Virginia).

* * * * *

Dated: April 29, 2019.

M.A. Wike,

Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port, Sector Ohio Valley.