E9-15024. Special Local Regulation for Marine Events; Recurring Marine Events in the Fifth Coast Guard District

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Interim final rule; request for comments.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is amending the list of recurring marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations make small changes to the regulated areas of two permitted marine events listed in the table attached to the regulation. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during marine events. This action will restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Chesapeake Bay and Assateague Channel, Virginia.

DATES:

This interim final rule is effective July 27, 2009. Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before July 10, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-2009-0430 using any one of the following methods:

(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.

(2) Fax: [phone].

(3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.

To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. See the “Public Participation and Request for Comments” portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this interim rule, call or e-mail, Dennis Sens, Project Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District, Prevention Division, 757-398-6204 or e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted, without change, to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have provided.

Submitting Comments

If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2009-0430), indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online (via http://www.regulations.gov) or by fax, mail or hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online via http://www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you fax, hand delivery, or mail your comment, it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission.

To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select the Advanced Docket Search option on the right side of the screen, insert “USCG-2009-0430” in the Docket ID box, press Enter, and then click on the balloon shape in the Actions column. If you submit comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them in an unbound format, no larger than 81/2 by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period and may change this rule based on your comments.

Viewing Comments and Documents

To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, select the Advanced Docket Search option on the right side of the screen, insert USCG-2009-0430 in the Docket ID box, press Enter, and then click on the item in the Docket ID column. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management Facility.

Privacy Act

Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

Public Meeting

We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a request for one using one of the four methods specified under ADDRESSES. Please explain why you believe a public meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

Regulatory Information

The Coast Guard is issuing this interim 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 the amendments provided make only minor changes to the regulated area and enhance the safety of life on navigable waters during marine events.

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The potential dangers posed to event participants and protected wildlife on navigable waterways by vessel traffic makes special local regulations necessary. Delaying the effective date would be contrary to the public interest, since immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of the event participants, support vessels, spectator craft and other vessels transiting the event area. However, advance notifications will be made to users of the affected waterways via marine information broadcasts, local notice to mariners, commercial radio stations and area newspapers.

Background and Purpose

Marine events are frequently held on the navigable waters within the boundary of the Fifth Coast Guard District. For a description of the geographical area of each Coast Guard Sector—Captain of the Port Zone, please see 33 CFR 3.25.

This regulation amends two marine events listed in 33 CFR Part 100.501, Table to § 100.501. They are event No. 20, The Great Chesapeake Bay Bridges Swim Races and Chesapeake Challenge One Mile Swim and event No. 42, Pony Penning Swim.

Annually, the Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, Inc. sponsors the “The Great Chesapeake Bay Bridges Swim Races and Chesapeake Challenge One Mile Swim” on the waters of the Chesapeake Bay near the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial (Chesapeake Bay) Bridge. The regulated area is a line that runs parallel to both the north and south spans of the bridge and includes the waters 500 yards north of the north span and 500 yards south of the south span of the bridge. The regulated area listed in the Table to § 100.501 for event No. 20 is amended to describe the area as follows: The waters of the Chesapeake Bay between and adjacent to the spans of the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge shore to shore 500 yards north of the north span of the bridge from the western shore at latitude 39°00′36″ N, longitude 076°23′53″ W and the eastern shore at latitude 38°59′14″ N, longitude 076°20′00″ W; and 500 yards south of the south span of the bridge from the western shore at latitude 39°00′16″ N, longitude 076°24′30″ W and the eastern shore at latitude 38°58′39″ N, longitude 076°20′10″ W. The regulated area as described is amended to ensure the safety of participants and support vessels and in accordance with 33 CFR 100.501 will be enforced for the duration of the marine event. Due to the need for vessel control during the event, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted in this segment of the Chesapeake Bay. Under provisions of 33 CFR 100.501, during the enforcement period, 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.

Annually, the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department sponsors the “The Pony Penning Swim” on the waters of Assateague Channel that runs between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. The regulated area includes the waters of Assateague Channel from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the east by a line drawn from latitude 37°55′00″ N, longitude 075°22′45″ W, to latitude 37°54′47″ N, longitude 075°22′45″ W, and to the south by a line drawn from latitude 37°54′47″ N, longitude 075°22′45″ W, to latitude 37°54′47″ N, longitude 075°23′04″ W. The regulated area as described, is amended to ensure the safety of participants, wildlife and support vessels, and in accordance with 33 CFR 100.501 will be enforced for the duration of the marine event. Due to the need for vessel control during the event, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted in this segment of Assateague Channel. Vessels may not enter the regulated area unless they receive permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.

Specific information on each event, including the exact dates, times and description of the regulated area, will be provided to the public through a Local Notice to Mariners published before the event, as well as through Broadcast Notice to Mariners. The public will also be notified about these marine events by local newspapers, radio and television stations. The various methods of notification provided by the Coast Guard and local community media outlets will facilitate informing mariners so they can adjust their plans accordingly.

Discussion of Rule

The regulated area for “The Great Chesapeake Bay Bridges Swim Races and Chesapeake Challenge One Mile Swim” is amended to correct two reference positions incorrectly listed in the Table to § 100.501, event No. 20. Specifically, the longitude that describes the point north of the northern bridge span near the western shoreline should have indicated 53 minutes vice 5 minutes longitude. The latitude and longitude that describes the point south of the southern bridge span near the eastern shoreline should have indicated 39 minutes latitude and 10 minutes longitude vice 38.5 minutes and 6 minutes, respectively. This action is not considered a significant change with regard to both size of the regulated area and impact on vessels transiting the area during the enforcement period. This rule amends latitude and longitude points of reference that are located at the periphery of the regulated area. The adjustments to latitude and longitude discussed in this rule have minimal effect on the overall size of the regulated area, particularly where it intersects charted navigational channels. This corrective action will further enhance safety of event participants, support vessels and local area vessels transiting near the regulated area.

The regulated area for “The Chincoteague Pony Penning Swim” is amended to correct the description of the regulated area incorrectly listed in the Table to § 100.501, event No. 42. The regulated area as amended by this rule adjusts the southern boundary line by moving it approximately 400 yards to the south along the mid-line of the channel and adjusts the eastern boundary by moving it approximately 100 yards to the west along the mid-line of the channel. This action is not considered a significant change with regard to both size of the regulated area and impact on vessels transiting the area during the enforcement period. The regulated area encompasses a remote marsh area with relatively light vessel traffic. This corrective action will further enhance safety of event participants, wildlife, support vessels and local area vessels transiting near the regulated area.

Regulatory Analyses

We developed this interim 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. 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 would affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in the areas where marine events are 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.

If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they can 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 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 effect 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 which 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 that apply to organized marine events on the navigable waters of the United States that may have potential for negative impact on the safety or other interest 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, and sail board racing.

Under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, an environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are not required for this rule.

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. In § 100.501, in the Table to § 100.501, revise number 20 and number 42, to read as follows:

§ 100.501

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

* * * * *

Table To § 100.501.—All Coordinates Listed in the Table to § 100.501 Reference Datum NAD 1983.

No.	Date	Event	Sponsor	Location
Coast Guard Sector Baltimore—COTP Zone
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *
20.	June—2nd Sunday	The Great Chesapeake Bay Bridges Swim Races and Chesapeake Challenge One Mile Swim.	Great Chesapeake Bay Swim, Inc	The waters of the Chesapeake Bay between and adjacent to the spans of the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridge shore to shore 500 yards north of the north span of the bridge from the western shore at latitude 39°00′36″ N, longitude 076°23′53″ W and the eastern shore at latitude 38°59′14″ N, longitude 076°20′00″ W, and 500 yards south of the south span of the bridge from the western shore at latitude 39°00′16″ N, longitude 076°24′30″ W and the eastern shore at latitude 38°58′39″ N, longitude 076°20′10″ W.
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *
Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads—COTP Zone
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *
42.	July—last Wednesday and following Friday	Pony Penning Swim	Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department	The waters of Assateague Channel from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the east by a line drawn from latitude 37°55′00″ N, longitude 075°22′45″ W, to latitude 37°54′47″ N, longitude 075°22′45″ W, and to the south by a line drawn from latitude 37°54′47″ N, longitude 075°22′45″ W, to latitude 37°54′47″ N, longitude 075°23′04″ W.
	*         *         *         *         *         *         *

Dated: June 10, 2009.

Fred M. Rosa, Jr.,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.