[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60027-60028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30065]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[CGD 95-054]
RIN 2115-AF17
Regattas and Marine Parades
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Interim rule; delay of effective date.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is delaying the effective date of the interim
rule on regatta and marine parades published in the Federal Register on
June 26, 1996. The interim rule more precisely identifies those marine
events which require a permit, those which require only written notice
to the Coast Guard, and those which require neither. A change in the
effective date from January 1, 1997, to January 1, 1998, is necessary
to allow time to further assess the potential impact, if any, of the
interim rule on the environment.
EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule published on June 26, 1996 (61 FR
33027) is effective on January 1, 1998.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Carlton Perry, Office of Boating Safety, (202) 267-0979. A copy of
the interim rule and the draft environmental assessment may be obtained
by calling the Coast Guard Customer Infoline at 1-800-368-5647 or, in
Washington, DC, 267-0780.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 26, 1996, the Coast Guard published
an interim rule and notice of availability of environmental assessment
(CGD 95-054) entitled ``Regattas and Marine Parades'' in the Federal
Register (61 FR 33027). The interim rule, which was to become effective
on January 1, 1997, revised the Coast Guard's marine event regulations
to eliminate unnecessary requirements while continuing to protect the
safety of life. The rule more precisely identifies those events which
require a permit, those which require only written notice of the Coast
Guard, and those which require neither. The environmental assessment
and proposed finding of no significant impact which support this
rulemaking were made available to the public.
Approximately 85 comments were received in response to the USCG
request for comments and publication of the interim rule and notice of
[[Page 60028]]
availability of the Environmental Assessment. Many of these comments
raised concerns regarding the reporting requirements placed on the
marine event sponsors and the potential environmental effects
associated with changing the current regulations on regatta and marine
parade permitting procedures. In addition, several comments received in
response to a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) entitled
``U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Protected Living Marine Resources
Initiative'' reiterated concerns raised by the comments on the interim
rule. Based upon these comments, and concerns raised during the ongoing
consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National
Marine Fisheries Service, the Coast Guard is reconsidering whether to
proceed with a revision of the existing regulations on regatta and
marine parade permitting procedures, as published, and is postponing
the effective date for the interim rule.
Accordingly, in FR Doc. 96-16319 published in the Federal Register
on June 26, 1996, at 61 FR 33027, the effective date for the referenced
interim rule is changed from January 1, 1997, to January 1, 1998.
Dated: November 19, 1996.
M.F. McCormack,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-30065 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
