[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6141-6142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2983]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 110
[CGD01-97-014]
RIN 2115-AA98
Special Anchorage Area: Groton, CT
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to extend the boundaries of the
special anchorage area currently existing off Groton, Connecticut,
between Pine Island and Avery Point. This action is taken at the
request of the City of Groton, and is intended to make space available
within the special anchorage area for approximately 20 additional
moorings.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 7, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander, Aids to Navigation
Branch, First Coast Guard District, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston,
Massachusetts 02110-3350.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LT Matthew Stuck, Aids to Navigation Branch, First Coast Guard
District, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-3350, (617)
223-8347.
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 names and addresses,
identify this rulemaking (CGD01-97-014) and the specific section of
this proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for
each comment. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments
should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. Comments
should be submitted to the address under ADDRESSES.
The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the
comment period. It may change this proposal in view of the comments.
The Coast Guard plans no public hearing; however, persons may request a
public hearing by writing to the Signals Management Section at the
address under ADDRESSES. If it is determined 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.
Discussion of Proposed Rules
The proposed rule is in response to a request made by the City of
Groton to accommodate the increased number of vessels mooring in this
area. The proposed rule would expand the existing special anchorage
near Groton, Connecticut, described in 33 CFR 110.51, to allow its use
by approximately 20 additional boats. Vessels not more than 65 feet in
length when at anchor in any special anchorage shall not be required to
carry or exhibit the white anchor lights required by the Navigation
Rules. The proposed rule would provide approximately twenty additional
moorings in which vessel owners may enjoy the convenience of a special
anchorage. The existing anchorage, located near Pine Island and Avery
Point, is split into two areas by a 210-foot wide fairway channel. The
proposed change would reduce the width of the existing fairway to
approximately 135 feet and extend the western boundary of the southern
section of the anchorage by 75 feet. The note following section 33 CFR
110.51 would be updated to indicate the decrease in fairway channel
width.
Regulatory Evaluation
This proposed rule 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 not been reviewed 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 10(e) of
the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. No person
will be required to spend any money in order to comply with this
regulation. The proposed regulation will exempt persons operating in
the expanded area from complying with the more stringent vessel
lighting regulations they would ordinarily be obliged to follow.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the
Coast Guard considers whether this proposed rule, if adopted, will have
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities. ``Small entities'' include 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. For the reasons discussed in the
Regulatory Evaluation section above, the Coast Guard expects that this
proposed rule, if adopted, will not have a significant impact on a
substantial number of small entities. If, however, you think that your
business or organization qualifies as a small entity and that this
proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on your business
or organization, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why
you think it qualifies and in what way and to what degree this proposed
rule will economically affect it.
Collection of Information
This proposed rule contains no collection of information
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501,
et seq.).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposed rule under the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has
determined that this proposed rule does not have sufficient
implications for federalism to warrant
[[Page 6142]]
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this
proposed rule and concluded that under Section 2.B.2.e. of Coast Guard
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B that this rule is categorically
excluded from further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical
Exclusion Determination'' and Environmental Analysis Checklist are
available in the docket for inspection and copying where indicated
under ADDRESSES in this proposed rule.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110
Anchorage grounds.
Proposed Regulation
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 33 CFR part 110 as follows:
PART 110--[AMENDED]
1. The authority citation for Part 110 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 2071; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 1.05-
1(g). Section 110.1a and each section listed in it are also issued
under 33 U.S.C. 1223 and 1231.
2. Section 110.51, is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 110.51 Groton, Conn.
The waters between an unnamed cove and Pine Island.
(a) Beginning at a point on the shoreline of Avery Point at a
latitude 41 deg.19'01.4'', longitude 072 deg.03'42.8''; thence to a
point in the cove at latitude 41 deg.19'02.5'', longitude
72 deg.03'36.2'' thence southeasterly to a point at latitude
41 deg.18'56.2'', longitude 072 deg.03'34.2''; thence northeasterly to
latitude 41 deg.19'02.5'', longitude 072 deg.03'19.2''; thence
terminating at the tip of Jupiter Point at latitude 41 deg.19'04.4'',
longitude 072 deg.03'19.7''. DATUM: NAD 83
(b) Beginning at a point on the shoreline of Pine Island at
latitude 41 deg.18'47.1'', longitude 072 deg.03'36.8''; thence
northerly to latitude 41 deg.18'54.1'', longitude 072 deg.03'35.4'';
thence northeasterly to a point at latitude 41 deg.19'01.2'', longitude
072 deg.03'19.3''; thence terminating at a point at latitude
41 deg.18'54.0'', longitude 072 deg.03'17.5''. DATUM: NAD 83
Note: The areas designated by (a) and (b) are principally for
the use of recreational vessels. Vessels shall be anchored so that
no part of the vessel obstructs the 135 foot wide channel. Temporary
floats or buoys for marking the location of the anchor of a vessel
at anchor may be used. Fixed mooring pilings or stakes are
prohibited.
Dated: December 19, 1997.
R.M. Larrabee,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-2983 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
