97-4359. Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Norfolk Harbor, Elizabeth River, Norfolk, Virginia and Portsmouth, Virginia  

  • [Federal Register Volume 62, Number 35 (Friday, February 21, 1997)]
    [Proposed Rules]
    [Pages 7969-7970]
    From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
    [FR Doc No: 97-4359]
    
    
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    DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
    
    Coast Guard
    
    33 CFR Part 100
    
    [CGD 05-97-007]
    RIN 2115-AE46
    
    
    Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Norfolk Harbor, 
    Elizabeth River, Norfolk, Virginia and Portsmouth, Virginia
    
    AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
    
    ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
    
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    SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend permanent special local 
    regulations established for marine events held in the Norfolk Harbor, 
    Elizabeth River, between Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia by 
    identifying specific annual events for which the regulated area will be 
    in effect. This action is intended to update the regulation in order to 
    enhance the safety of life and property during the events.
    
    DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 22, 1997.
    
    ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (Aosr), Fifth Coast 
    Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704-5004, 
    or hand delivered to Room 516 at the same address between 7:30 a.m. and 
    5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
    number is (757) 398-6204. Comments will become part of this docket and 
    will be available for inspection and copying at the above address.
    
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
    S.L. Phillips, Project Manager, Search and Rescue Branch, at (757) 398-
    6204.
    
    SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    
    Request for Comments
    
        The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
    this rulemaking by submitting written views, data, or arguments. 
    Persons submitting comment should include their names and addresses, 
    identify this rulemaking (CGD 05-97-007) and the specific section of 
    this proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for 
    each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments 
    in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
    copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgement of 
    receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or 
    envelopes. The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during 
    the comment period. It may change this proposal in view of the 
    comments.
    
    [[Page 7970]]
    
        The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
    public hearing by writing to the address listed under ADDRESSES. The 
    request should include the reasons why a hearing would be beneficial. 
    If it determines that the opportunity for oral presentations will aid 
    this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold a public hearing at a time 
    and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.
    
    Background and Purpose
    
        33 CFR 100.501 established special local regulations for marine 
    events held in the Norfolk Harbor, Elizabeth River, between Norfolk and 
    Portsmouth, Virginia. The effect of these regulations is the control of 
    vessel traffic during marine events to enhance the safety of 
    participants, spectators, and transiting vessels. The regulations are 
    implemented at various times, for various events throughout the year by 
    publishing notice in the Federal Register and the Fifth Coast Guard 
    District Local Notice to Mariners. This proposal would update the 
    regulations to reflect specific events for which the regulations will 
    be in effect.
    
    Discussion of Proposed Rule
    
        The Coast Guard proposes to amend the special local regulations 
    previously established for this event area by incorporating a table 
    which identifies the specific events during which the regulated area 
    will be in effect. Since this action will not increase the period of 
    time that the channel is restricted and the Coast Guard patrol 
    commander may stop any event to assist transit of vessels through the 
    regulated area, normal marine traffic should not be severely disrupted.
    
    Regulatory Evaluation
    
        This proposal is not a 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 of 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 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is 
    unnecessary. This proposal merely provides additional information to an 
    existing regulation and does not impose any new restrictions on vessel 
    traffic.
    
    Small Entities
    
        Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
    Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal, if adopted, 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 qualify as ``small business concerns'' under section 3 of the 
    Small Business Act (14 U.S.C. 632). Because it expects the impact of 
    this proposal to be minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 
    605(b), that this proposal, if adopted, will not have a significant 
    economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
    
    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 under the principles 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 considered the environmental impact of this 
    proposal and concluded that, under section 2.b.2.e(34)(h) of Commandant 
    Instruction M16475.1b (as amended, 61 FR 13564; 27 March 1996), this 
    proposal is categorically excluded from further environmental 
    documentation.
    
    List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
    
        Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
    requirements, Waterways.
    
        For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
    to amend 33 CFR Part 100 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.
    
        2. Section 100.501 is amended by revising paragraph (c) and adding 
    Table 1 to read as follows:
    
    
    Sec. 100.501  Norfolk Harbor, Elizabeth River, Norfolk, Virginia and 
    Portsmouth, Virginia.
    
    * * * * *
        (c) Effective periods. This section is effective annually for the 
    duration of each marine event listed in Table 1, or as otherwise 
    specified in the Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners and a Federal 
    Register notice. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander will announce by 
    Broadcast Notice to Mariners the specific time periods during which the 
    regulations will be enforced.
    
    Table 1 of Sec. 100.501
    
    Harborfest
    
        Sponsor: Norfolk Harborfest, Inc.
        Date: First Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in June
    
    Great American Picnic
    
        Sponsor: Festevents, Inc.
        Date: July 4
    
    Cock Island Race
    
        Sponsor: Ports Events, Inc.
        Date: Third Saturday in July
    
    Rendezvous at Zero Mile Marker
    
        Sponsor: Ports Events, Inc.
        Date: Third Saturday in August
    
    U.S. Navy Fleet Week Celebration
    
        Sponsor: U.S. Navy
        Date: Second Friday in October
    
    Holidays in the City
    
        Sponsor: Festevents, Inc.
        Date: Fourth Saturday in November
    
    New Years Eve Fireworks Display
    
        Sponsor: Festevents, Inc.
        Date: December 31.
    
        Dated: February 5, 1997.
    Kent H. Williams,
    Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
    [FR Doc. 97-4359 Filed 2-20-97; 8:45 am]
    BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
    
    
    

Document Information

Published:
02/21/1997
Department:
Coast Guard
Entry Type:
Proposed Rule
Action:
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Document Number:
97-4359
Dates:
Comments must be received on or before April 22, 1997.
Pages:
7969-7970 (2 pages)
Docket Numbers:
CGD 05-97-007
RINs:
2115-AE46: Regatta Regulations
RIN Links:
https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/2115-AE46/regatta-regulations
PDF File:
97-4359.pdf
CFR: (1)
33 CFR 100.501