[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 236 (Friday, December 6, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 64645-64647]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-31032]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[CGD07-96-063]
RIN 2115-AE46
Special Local Regulations; Invitational Rowing Regatta, Augusta,
GA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local
regulations for the Augusta Invitational Rowing Regatta. This event
would be held annually on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in the
third week of March from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The nature of the event and
the closure of the Savannah River creates an extra or unusual hazard on
the navigable waters of the Savannah
[[Page 64646]]
River at Augusta, GA. Therefore, these proposed regulations are
necessary for the safety of life on the navigable waters.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 4, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Group
Charleston, 196 Tradd Street, Charleston, SC 29401, or may be delivered
to the Operations Office at the same address between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30
p.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The telephone
number is (803) 724-7621.
The Group Commander maintains the public docket for this
rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket and will be
available for inspection or copying at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
ENS M.J. DaPonte, Project Officer, Coast Guard Group Charleston, SC at
(803) 724-7621.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments.
Persons submitting comments should include their name and address,
identify this rulemaking [CGD07-96-063] and the specific section of
this proposal to which each comment applies, and give a reason for each
comment. Persons desiring acknowledgement of receipt of comments should
enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the
comment period. It may change this proposal in the view of the
comments.
The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a
public hearing by writing to the Project Manager at the address under
ADDRESSES. If if is determined that the opportunity for oral
presentations will aid this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold a
public hearing at the time and place announced by a later notice in the
Federal Register.
Background and Purpose
The proposed regulations are needed to provide for the safety of
life during the Augusta Invitational Rowing Regatta. These proposed
regulations are intended to promote safe navigation on the Savannah
River during the rowing regatta by controlling the traffic entering,
exiting, and traveling within these waters. Historically, the
anticipated concentration of spectator and participant vessels
associated with the Invitational Rowing Regatta has posed a safety
concern, which is addressed in these proposed special local regulation.
The proposed regulations would not permit the entry or movement of
spectator vessels and other non-participating vessel traffic between
U.S. Highway Route 1 (Fifth Street) Bridge at mile marker 199.45 and
Eliot's Fish Camp at mile marker 197, from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
annually on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of the third week of
March. The proposed regulations would permit the movement of spectator
vessels and other non-participants after the termination of the regatta
each day, and during intervals between scheduled events at the
discretion of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.
Regulatory Evaluation
This proposal is not a major significant regulatory action under
section 3(f) of executive order 12866 and does not require an
assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of
that order. It has been exempted from review by the Office of
Management and Budget under that order. It is not significant under the
regulatory policies and procedures if the Department of Transportation
(DOT) (44 FR 11040; February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the
economic impact of this proposal to be so minimal that a full
Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies
and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. The proposed regulations would
last for only 10 hours on each day of the event.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal will have a significant
economic-impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small
Entities'' include independently owned and operated small businesses
that are not dominant in their field and that otherwise quality as
``small business concerns'' under section 3 of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 632).
The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposal to be
minimal, and certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that his proposal, if
adopted, will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of
small entities. These proposed regulations will not have a significant
economic impact on small entities because the limited area regulated
and limited duration of the regulation.
Collection of Information
This proposal contains no collection-of-information requirements
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposal in accordance with the
principals and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has
determined that this proposal does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact on this
proposal consistent with Section 2.B.2. of Commandant Instruction
M16475.1B. In accordance with that instruction, specifically section
2.B.4.g. and h., this proposal has been environmentally assessed (EA
completed), and the Coast Guard has concluded that it will not
significantly affect the quality of the human environment. An
environmental assessment and a finding of no significant impact have
been prepared and are available for inspection or copying where
indicated under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Waterways.
Proposed Regulations
In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard amends Part 100
of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, as follows:
PART 100--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 100 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 100.35.
2. A new Sec. 100.724 is added to read as follows:
Sec. 100.724 Annual Augusta Invitational Rowing Regatta; Savannah
River, Augusta, GA.
(a) Definitions.
(1) Regulated area. The regulated area is formed by a line drawn
directly across the Savannah River at U.S. Highway 1 (Fifth Street)
Bridge at mile marker 199.45 and directly across the Savannah River at
Eliot's Fish Camp at mile marker 197. The regulated area would
encompass the width of the Savannah River between these two lines.
(2) Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The Coast Guard patrol Commander
is
[[Page 64647]]
a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard who has
been designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Group Charleston, SC.
(b) Special local regulations. (1) Entry into the regulated area is
prohibited to all non-participants.
(2) After the termination of the Invitational Rowing Regatta each
day, and during intervals between scheduled events, at the discretion
of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, all vessels may resume normal
operations.
(c) Effective dates. This section is effective at 7:00 a.m. and
terminates at 5:00 p.m. annually, on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and
Sunday of the third week of March.
Dated: November 12, 1996.
J.D. Hull,
U.S. Coast Guard Acting Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-31032 Filed 12-5-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
