[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 85 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19220-19222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10660]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[CGD07-96-008]
RIN 2115-AE46
Special Local Regulations; Suncoast Kilo Run; Suncoast Offshore
Challenge; Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix; Sarasota, FL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local
regulations for Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore Challenge and
Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, all events sponsored by the S.O.R.A.
(Suncoast Racing Association). The Suncoast Kilo Run event would be
held annually at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT (Eastern Daylight Time), on the
first Friday of July. The Suncoast Offshore Challenge and Suncoast
Offshore Grand Prix events would be held annually at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EDT, on the first Saturday and Sunday of July. These proposed
regulations are intended to promote safe navigation on the waters in
the Gulf of Mexico in the vicinity of Sarasota and on the waters in
North Sarasota Bay, Florida, by controlling the traffic entering,
exiting, and traveling within these waters. These proposed regulations
are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters
during the event.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 31, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to U.S. Coast Guard Group St.
Petersburg, 600 8th Ave. S.E., St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5099, or
may be delivered to operations office at the same address between 8
a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
The telephone number is (813) 824-
[[Page 19221]]
7533. Comments will become a part of the public docket and will be
available for copying and inspection at the same address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LTJG J.W. Nelson, project officer,
U.S. Coast Guard Group St. Petersburg, FL at (813) 824-7533.
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 comments should include their names, addresses,
identify the notice (CGD07-96-008) and the specific section of this
proposal to which their comments apply, and give reasons for each
comment. The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the
comment period. The regulations may be changed in view of the comments
received. All comments received before the expiration of the comment
period will be considered before final action is taken on this
proposal.
No public hearing is planned, but one may be held if written
requests for a hearing are received, and it is determined that the
opportunity to make oral presentations will add to the rulemaking
process.
Discussion of Proposed Regulations
The proposed regulations are needed to provide for the safety of
life during the Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore Challenge and
Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix, all sponsored by the S.O.R.A. (Suncoast
Racing Association). These Proposed regulations are intended to promote
safe navigation on the waters in North Sarasota Bay and on the Gulf of
Mexico in the vicinity of Sarasota, Florida, by controlling the traffic
entering, exiting, and traveling within these waters. Historically
during these races, there have been between 150 and 300 participant ant
spectator craft. There would be approximately between 50 and 100 power
boats, 21 to 50 feet in length, participating in these races at high
speeds. The anticipated concentration of spectator and participant
vessels associated with the Suncoast Kilo Run, Suncoast Offshore
Challenge and Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix poses a safety concern,
which is addressed in these special local regulations. The Suncoast
Kilo Run event would be held annually at 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT, on the
first Friday of July. The Suncoast Offshore Challenge and Suncoast
Offshore Grand Prix events would be held annually at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
EDT, on the first Saturday and Sunday of July.
These proposed special local regulations for the Suncoast Kilo Run
would establish a ``no wake'' zone in an area between markers #13
(27 deg.20.82N, 82 deg.33.78W, LLNR 48035) and #17 (27 deg.24.5N,
82 deg.36.8W, LLNR 48190) in North Sarasota Bay. All coordinates
referenced are datum: NAD 83. Spectator craft would be permitted in the
area but would be required to stay clear of the designated race lanes.
This race would be held annually on the First Friday of July, between 8
a.m. and 1 p.m. EDT.
The proposed special local regulations for the Suncoast Offshore
Challenge would not permit anchoring seaward of the shoreside legs of
the racecourse out to three nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to
4 p.m. EDT. Spectator craft would be permitted near the race area but
would be required to stay clear of the race lanes. Anchoring for
spectators would be permitted shoreward of the shoreside legs of the
racecourse. All vessel traffic exiting New Pass between 11 a.m. to 4
p.m. EDT would exit the marked channel at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3
(27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 18100), and 4 (27 deg.26.4' N,
82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and would proceed in a northerly
direction shoreward of the spectator craft until well clear of the race
course. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983. Big Sarasota
Pass would be closed to all inbound and outbound vessel traffic, other
than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the
first Saturday of July.
The proposed special regulations for the Suncoast Offshore Grand
Prix would not permit anchoring seaward of the shoreside legs of the
racecourse out to three nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m. EDT, annually on the first Sunday of July. Spectator craft would
be permitted near the race area but would by required to stay clear of
the race lanes. Anchoring for spectators would be permitted shoreward
of the shoreside legs of the racecourse. All vessel traffic not
involved with the Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix exiting New Pass between
10 a.m. and 4 p.m EDT would exit the marked channel at New Pass Channel
daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR 18100) and #4
(27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and would proceed in a
northerly direction shoreward of the spectator craft, taking action to
avoid a close-quarters situation with the spectator craft until finally
past and clear of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum:
NAD 1983. Big Sarasota Pass would be closed to all inbound and outbound
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
EDT, annually on the first Sunday of July.
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
rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph
10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.
The proposed regulation would last for only 5 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 qualify as
``small business concerns'' under Section 3 of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 632).
For reasons set forth in the above Regulatory Evaluation, 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
These proposed regulations contain no collection of information
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et
seq.).
Federalism
This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principals and
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined
that the rulemaking does not have sufficient Federalism implications to
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environmental Assessment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this
proposal and has concluded that preparation of an environmental Impact
Statement is not necessary. An environmental assessment and a finding
of no
[[Page 19222]]
significant impact have been prepared and are available in the docket
for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES. The Coast
Guard has concluded that this proposed action would not significantly
affect the quality of the human environment.
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 is proposing to
amend 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 section Sec. 100.718 is added to read as follows:
Sec. 100.718 Annual Suncoast Kilo Run; Sarasota Bay, Sarasota, FL.
(a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established in Sarasota
Bay with the northwest corner pint at Whale Key, position
27 deg.23'53'' N, 82 deg.37'46'' W, extending to the northeast corner
point at Bayshore Gardens Channel, position 27 deg.25'11'' N,
82 deg.35'45'' W, then extending to the southeast corner point at
Whitaker Bayou, position 27 deg.21'22'' N, 82 deg.33'14'' W, and then
to the southwest corner point at Quick Point, position 27 deg.20'18''
N, 82 deg.34'' W. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
(b) Special local regulations. (1) In accordance with these
regulations, the regulated area is designated as a ``no wake'' zone.
Spectator craft are permitted into the area, but are prohibited from
entering the race course areas described in (b)(2) of this section.
(2) Inside the ``no wake'' zone are two designated areas
surrounding the primary and alternate race courses. Primary course
``A'' is bounded by a line connecting the northeast corner point at
position 27 deg.22'10'' N, 82 deg.36'09'' W, a southeast corner point
at position 27 deg.21'31'' N, 82 deg.35'37'' W, a southwest corner
point at position 27 deg.21'27'' N, 82 deg.35'48'' W, and a northwest
corner point at position 27 deg.22'05'' N, 82 deg.36'16'' W. Alternate
course ``B'' is bounded by a line connecting the northeast corner point
at position 27 deg.23'11'' N, 82 deg.34'31'' W, a southeast corner
point at position 27 deg.22'35'' N, 82 deg.34'03'' W, a southwest
corner point at position 27 deg.22'31'' N, 82 deg.34'08'' W, and
northwest corner point at position 27 deg.23'09'' N, 82 deg.34'38'' W.
All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
(3) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this
section.
(c) Effective date. This section is effective at 8 a.m. and
terminates at 1 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Friday of July.
2. A new section Sec. 100.719 is added to read as follows:
Sec. 100.719 Annual Suncoast Offshore Challenge; Gulf of Mexico,
Sarasota, FL.
(a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established by a line
drawn from the start/finish position 27 deg.19.15' N, 82 deg.35.90' W,
thence to position 27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.90' W, thence to position
27 deg.18.21' N, 82 deg.34.48' W, thence to position 27 deg.16.43' N,
82 deg.34.99' W, thence to position 27 deg.15.70' N, 82 deg.34.29' W,
thence to position 27 deg.15.86' N, 82 deg.33.44' W, thence to position
27 deg.14.73' N, 82 deg.32.37' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.62' N,
82 deg.32.54' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.93' N, 82 deg.35.25' W,
thence to position 27 deg.20.03' N, 82 deg.37.38' W, thence to position
27 deg.20.32' N, 82 deg.37.16' W, thence back to the start/finish
position. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
(b) Special local regulations. (1) No anchoring will be permitted
seaward of the shoreside boundaries of the regulated area out to three
nautical miles from shore, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT, annually on the
first Saturday of July.
(2) Anchoring for spectators will be permitted shoreward of the
shoreside boundaries of the regulated area.
(3) All vessel traffic, not involved with the Suncoast Offshore
Challenge, exiting New Pass between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT will exit at
New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR
18100) and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and shall
proceed in a northerly direction shoreward of spectator craft taking
action to avoid a close-quarters situation until finally past and clear
of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
(4) Big Sarasota Pass will be closed to all inbound and outbound
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
(5) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this
regulation. Spectator vessels will stay clear of race area at all
times.
(c) Effective date. This section is effective at 10 a.m. and
terminates at 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Saturday of July.
2. A new section Sec. 100.720 is added to read as follows:
Sec. 100.720 Annual Suncoast Offshore Grand Prix; Gulf of Mexico,
Sarasota, FL.
(a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established by a line
drawn from the start/finish position 27 deg.19.15' N, 82 deg.35.90' W,
thence to position 27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.90' W, thence to position
27 deg.18.81' N, 82 deg.34.48' W, thence to position 27 deg.16.43' N,
82 deg.34.99' W, thence to position 27 deg.15.70' N, 82 deg.34.29' W,
thence to position 27 deg.15.86' N, 82 deg.33.44' W, thence to position
27 deg.14.73' N, 82 deg.32.37' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.62' N,
82 deg.32.54' W, thence to position 27 deg.14.93' N, 82 deg.35.25' W,
thence to position 27 deg.20.03' N, 82 deg.37.38' W, thence to position
27 deg.20.32' N, 82 deg.37.16' W, thence back to the start/finish
position. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
(b) Special local regulations. (1) No anchoring will be permitted
seaward of the shoreside boundaries of the regulated area out to three
nautical miles from shore, form 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
(2) Anchoring for spectators will be permitted shoreward of the
shoreside boundaries of the regulated area.
(3) All vessel traffic not involved with the Suncoast Offshore
Grand Prix, exiting New Pass between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. EDT will exit
at New Pass Channel daybeacon #3 (27 deg.26.46' N, 82 deg.41.7' W, LLNR
18100) and #4 (27 deg.26.4' N, 82 deg.41.68' W, LLNR 18105), and shall
proceed in a northerly direction shoreward of spectator craft taking
action to avoid a close-quarters situation until finally past and clear
of the racecourse. All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 83.
(4) Big Sarasota Pass will be closed to all inbound and outbound
vessel traffic, other than spectator craft, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. EDT.
(5) Entry into the regulated area shall be in accordance with this
regulation. Spectator craft will stay clear of race area at all times.
(c) Effective date. This section is effective at 10 a.m. and
terminates at 4 p.m. EDT, annually during the first Sunday of July.
Dated: April 23, 1996.
Roger T. Rufe, Jr.,
Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-10660 Filed 4-30-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
