2013-10319. Special Local Regulation; Wy-Hi Rowing Regatta, Trenton Channel; Detroit River, Wyandotte, MI

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation on the Trenton Channel of the Detroit River, Wyandotte, Michigan. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after the Wy-Hi Rowing Regatta. This special local regulation will establish restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in a portion of the Trenton Channel. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the regulated area without permission of the Captain of the Port.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 4, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket USCG-2013-0287. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to www.regulations.gov,, type the docket number in the “SEARCH” box, and click “Search.” You may visit the Docket Management Facility, 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 email LT Adrian Palomeque, Prevention Department, Sector Detroit, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], email [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Acronyms

DHS Department of Homeland Security

FR Federal Register

NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

A. Regulatory History and Information

The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those procedures are “impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because waiting for a notice and comment period to run is impracticable. The final details of this year's regatta were not known to the Coast Guard with sufficient time for the Coast Guard to solicit public comments before the start of the event. Thus, delaying this temporary rule to wait for a notice and comment period to run would be impracticable and it would inhibit the Coast Guard's ability to protect the public from the hazards associated with this event.

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), for the same reasons as discussed above, the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.

B. Basis and Purpose

On May 4, 2013, the Wyandotte Boat Club is holding a rowing race that will require the immediate area to be clear of all vessel traffic. The rowing race will occur between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on May 4, 2013. The Captain of the Port Detroit has determined that the likely combination of recreation vessels, commercial vessels, and large numbers of spectators in close proximity to rowing regatta pose extra and unusual hazards to public safety and property. Thus, the Captain of the Port Detroit has determined that establishing a Special Local Regulation, pursuant to the authority in 33 U.S.C. 1233, around the race's course will help ensure the safety of life during this event.

C. Discussion of Rule

In light of the aforesaid hazards, the Captain of the Port Detroit has determined that a special local regulation is necessary to protect spectators, vessels, and participants. The special local regulation will encompass all waters of the Detroit River, Trenton Channel starting at a point on land at position 42°10′58″ N, 083°9′23″ W; following the Trenton Channel north to position 42°11′44″ N, 083°8′56″ W; and will be enforced on May 4, 2013, from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

Two thirds of the Trenton Channel on the western portion of the regulated area, from the Wyandotte shoreline to a point approximately 670 feet east into the channel, will be designated as the race zone, while the remaining third portion on the eastern side of the of the regulated area, approximately 330 feet in width, will be designated as a buffer zone.

Entry into, transiting, or anchoring within the race zone of the regulated area is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit or his designated on scene representative. Entry into and transiting within buffer zone of the regulated area is only authorized at no-wake speed and requires the authorization of the Captain of the Port or his designated on scene representative. The Captain of the Port or his designated on scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

D. Regulatory Analyses

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

1. Regulatory Planning and Review

This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. It is not “significant” under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

We conclude that this rule is not a significant regulatory action because we anticipate that it will have minimal impact on the economy, will not interfere with other agencies, will not adversely alter the budget of any grant or loan recipients, and will not raise any novel legal or policy issues.

The Coast Guard's use of this special local regulation will be of relatively small size and short duration, and it is designed to minimize the impact on navigation. Moreover, vessels may, when circumstances allow, obtain permission from the Captain of the Port to transit through the area affected by this special local regulation. Overall, the Coast Guard expects minimal impact to vessel movement from the enforcement of this special local regulation.

2. Impact on Small Entities

The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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 this portion of the Trenton Channel near Wyandotte, MI between 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 4, 2013.

This special local regulation will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This rule will only be in effect and enforced for nine and a half hours on one day. The race event will be temporarily stopped for any deep draft vessels transiting through the shipping lanes. The Coast Guard will give notice to the public via a Broadcast Notice to Mariners that the regulation is in effect, allowing vessel owners and operators to plan accordingly.

3. Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this rule to that they can better evaluate its effects on them. If this rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section above.

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.

4. Collection of Information

This rule will not call for a new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

5. Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship between the national government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.

6. 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 expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Energy Effects

This action is not a “significant energy action” under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.

12. Technical Standards

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

13. 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 which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule involves the establishment of a special local regulation issued in conjunction with a regatta or marine parade, and, therefore it is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph 34(h) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. During the annual permitting process for this event an environmental analysis was conducted, and thus, no preliminary environmental analysis checklist or Categorical Exclusion Determination (CED) are required for this rulemaking action.

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 amends 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. Add § 100.T09-0287 to read as follows:

§ 100.T09-0287

Special Local Regulation; Wy-Hi Rowing Regatta, Wyandotte, MI.

(a) Regulated area. A regulated area is established to include all waters of the Trenton Channel in the Detroit River, Wyandotte, Michigan, starting at a point on land at position 42°10′58″ N, 083°9′23″ W; following the Trenton Channel north to position 42°11′44″ N, 083°8′56″ W. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83). Two thirds of the Trenton Channel on the western portion of the regulated area, from the Wyandotte shoreline to a point approximately 670 feet east into the channel, will be designated as the race zone, while the remaining third portion on the eastern side of the of the regulated area, approximately 330 feet in width, will be designated as a buffer zone.

(b) Effective and enforcement period. This regulation is effective and will be enforced from 7:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 4, 2013.

(c) Regulations. (1) No vessel may enter, transit through, or anchor within the race zone of the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit, or his designated on-scene representative.

(2) Vessels may enter and transit through the buffer zone on the eastern side of regulated area at no-wake speed with the authorization of the Captain of the Port or his designated on scene representative.

(3) The “on-scene representative” of the Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit is any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer or a Federal, State, or local law enforcement officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit to act on his behalf.

(4) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the regulated area shall contact the Coast Guard Patrol Commander to obtain permission to do so. The Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit or his on-scene representative may be contacted via VHF Channel 16 or at 313-568-9464. Vessel operators given permission to enter or operate in the security zones must comply with all directions given to them by the Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit, or his on-scene representative.

Dated: April 18, 2013.

J.E. Ogden,

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