2011-5894. Special Local Regulation for Marine Event; Temporary Change of Dates for Recurring Marine Event in the Fifth Coast Guard District

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the enforcement period of special local regulations for a recurring marine event in the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to four recurring marine events that conduct a rescue at sea demonstration, an air show, a swimming competition, and power boat races. Special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during these events. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Severn River at Annapolis, MD, the Chester River near Chestertown, MD, and Prospect Bay at Kent Island, MD during the events.

DATES:

This rule is effective from April 1, 2011 through September 1, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket USCG-2010-1094 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2010-1094 in the “Keyword” box, and then clicking “Search.” This material is also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary rule, call or e-mail Mr. Ronald L. Houck, Project Manager, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore Waterways Management Division, telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

On January 11, 2011, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled “Special Local Regulation for Marine Event; Temporary Change of Dates for Recurring Marine Event in the Fifth Coast Guard District” in the Federal Register (76 FR 7). We received no comments on the proposed rule. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.

Basis and Purpose

Marine events are frequently held on the navigable waters within the boundary of the Fifth Coast Guard District. The on water activities that typically comprise marine events include sailing regattas, power boat races, swim races and holiday parades. For a description of the geographical area of Coast Guard Sector Baltimore—Captain of the Port Zone, please see 33 CFR 3.25.

This regulation temporarily changes the enforcement period of special local regulations for recurring marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District. This regulation applies to four marine events previously published at 33 CFR 100.501, Table to § 100.501.

The first event is the annual “Safety at Sea Seminar,” sponsored by the U.S. Naval Academy, on the waters of the Severn River at Annapolis, MD. The regulation at 33 CFR 100.501 is effective annually for the Safety at Sea Seminar marine event. The event consists of demonstrations of at sea rescues including surface and air platforms held on and above the waters of the Severn River in Annapolis, MD. Visual distress signal devices will be used and a helicopter with small boats will be operating before a large fleet of spectator crafts. Therefore, to ensure the safety of participants and support vessels, 33 CFR 100.501 would be enforced for the duration of the event. Under provisions of 33 CFR 100.501, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on April 2, 2011, vessels may not enter the regulated area unless they receive permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Vessel traffic may be allowed to transit the regulated area only when the Patrol Commander determines it is safe to do so.

The second event is the annual “Blue Angels Air Show,” sponsored by the U.S. Naval Academy, on the waters of the Severn River at Annapolis, MD. The regulation at 33 CFR 100.501 is effective annually for the Blue Angels Air Show marine event. The event consists of one day for arrival and practice and a second day for the Air Show held above the waters of the Severn River, at Annapolis, MD. High performance military aircraft will conduct maneuvers before a large fleet of spectator crafts. Therefore, to ensure the safety of participants and support vessels, 33 CFR 100.501 would be enforced for the duration of the event. Under provisions of 33 CFR 100.501, from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on May 24, 2011 and from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. on May 25, 2011, vessels may not enter the regulated area unless they receive permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Vessel traffic may be allowed to transit the regulated area only when the Patrol Commander determines it is safe to do so.

The third event is the annual “Maryland Swim for Life,” sponsored by the District of Columbia Aquatics Club, on the waters of the Chester River near Chestertown, MD. The regulation at 33 CFR 100.501 is effective annually for the Maryland Swim for Life marine event. The event is an open water swimming competition held on the waters of the Chester River, near Chestertown, MD. Approximately 200 swimmers will start from Rolph's Wharf and swim up-river 2.5 miles then swim down-river returning back to Rolph's Wharf. A large fleet of support vessels accompany the swimmers. Therefore, to ensure the safety of participants and support vessels, 33 CFR 100.501 would be enforced for the duration of the event. Under provisions of 33 CFR 100.501, from 5:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on June 25, 2011, vessels may not enter the regulated area unless they receive permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Vessel traffic may be allowed to transit the regulated area only when the Patrol Commander determines it is safe to do so.

The fourth event is the annual “Thunder on the Narrows,” sponsored by the Kent Narrows Racing Association, on the waters of Prospect Bay at Kent Island, MD. The regulation at 33 CFR 100.501 is effective annually for the Thunder on the Narrows marine event. The event consists of two days of power boat racing on the waters of Prospect Bay, at Kent Island, MD. High performance power boats will race on a designated course before a large fleet of spectator crafts. Therefore, to ensure the safety of participants and support vessels, 33 CFR 100.501 would be enforced for the duration of the event. Under provisions of 33 CFR 100.501, from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 25, 2011 and from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 26, 2011, vessels may not enter the regulated area unless they receive permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Vessel traffic may be allowed to transit the regulated area only when the Patrol Commander determines it is safe to do so.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

The Coast Guard received no comments in response to the NPRM. No public meeting was requested and none was held.

Regulatory Analyses

We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Regulatory Planning and Review

This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order.

Although this rule prevents traffic from transiting a portion of certain waterways during specified events, the effect of this regulation will not be significant due to the limited duration that the regulated area will be in effect and the extensive advance notifications that will be made to the maritime community via marine information broadcasts, local radio stations and area newspapers, so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. Additionally, this rulemaking does not change the permanent regulated areas that have been published in 33 CFR 100.501, Table to § 100.501. Furthermore, in some cases vessel traffic may be able to transit the regulated area when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is safe to do so.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 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. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in the area where the marine event is being held. This regulation will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because it will be enforced only during marine events that have been permitted by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port. The Captain of the Port will ensure that small entities are able to operate in the areas where events are occurring when it is safe to do so. In some cases, vessels will be able to safely transit around the regulated area at various times, and, with the permission of the Patrol Commander, vessels may transit through the regulated area. Before the enforcement period, the Coast Guard will issue maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), in the NPRM we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.

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.

Collection of Information

This rule calls for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.

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.

Taking of Private Property

This rule will not cause a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

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.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a “significant energy action” under that order because it is not a “significant regulatory action” under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded 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 is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction. This rule involves implementation of regulations within 33 CFR part 100 applicable to organized marine events on the navigable waters of the United States that could negatively impact the safety of waterway users and shore side activities in the event area. The category of water activities includes but is not limited to sail boat regattas, boat parades, power boat racing, swimming events, crew racing, canoe and sail board racing. An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

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

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:

PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

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

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233.

2. In § 100.501, suspend lines No. 13, No. 19, No. 21 and No. 23, and add new heading and entries 65, 66, 67, and 68 in the Table to § 100.501 to read as follows:

§ 100.501-T05-1094

Special Local Regulations; Recurring Marine Event in the Fifth Coast Guard District.

* * * * *

Table To § 100.501. All coordinates listed in the Table to § 100.501 reference Datum NAD 1983.

* * * * *

Number	Date	Event	Sponsor	Location
Coast Guard Sector Baltimore—COTP Zone
65	April 2, 2011	Safety at Sea Seminar	U.S. Naval Academy	All waters of the Severn River from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the northwest by a line drawn from the south shoreline at latitude 39°00′38.9″ N., longitude 076°31′05.2″ W. thence to the north shoreline at latitude 39°00′54.7″ N., longitude 076°30′44.8″ W., this line is approximately 1300 yards northwest of the U.S. 50 fixed highway bridge. The regulated area is bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from the Naval Academy Light at latitude 38°58′39.5″ N., longitude 076°28′49″ W. thence southeast to a point 700 yards east of Chinks Point, MD, at latitude 38°58′1.9″ N., longitude 076°28′1.7″ W. thence northeast to Greenbury Point at latitude 38°58′29″ N., longitude 076°27′16″ W.
66	May 24 and 25, 2011	Blue Angels Air Show	U.S. Naval Academy	All waters of the Severn River from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the northwest by a line drawn from the south shoreline at latitude 39°00′38.9″ N., longitude 076°31′05.2″ W. thence to the north shoreline at latitude 39°00′54.7″ N., longitude 076°30′44.8″ W., this line is approximately 1300 yards northwest of the U.S. 50 fixed highway bridge. The regulated area is bounded to the southeast by a line drawn from the Naval Academy Light at latitude 38°58′39.5″ N., longitude 076°28′49″ W. thence southeast to a point 700 yards east of Chinks Point, MD, at latitude 38°58′1.9″ N., longitude 076°28′1.7″ W. thence northeast to Greenbury Point at latitude 38°58′29″ N., longitude 076°27′16″ W.
67	June 25, 2011	Maryland Swim for Life	District of Columbia Aquatics Club	The waters of the Chester River from shoreline to shoreline, bounded on the south by a line drawn at latitude 39°10′16″ N., near the Chester River Channel Buoy 35 (LLN-26795) and bounded on the north at latitude 39°12′30″ N. by the Maryland S.R. 213 Highway Bridge.
68	June 25 and 26, 2011	Thunder on the Narrows	Kent Narrows Racing Association	All waters of Prospect Bay enclosed by the following points: Latitude 38°57′52.0″ N., longitude 076°14′48.0″ W., to latitude 38°58′02.0″ N., longitude 076°15′05.0″ W., to latitude 38°57′38.0″ N., longitude 076°15′29.0″ W., to latitude 38°57′28.0″ N., longitude 076°15′23.0″ W., to latitude 38°57′52.0″ N., longitude 076°14′48.0″ W.

Dated: February 19, 2011.

Mark P. O'Malley,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Baltimore.