[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35387-35388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17083]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[CGD01-95-178]
RIN 2115-AE46
Special Local Regulation: The ``Great Connecticut River Raft
Race'', Middletown, CT
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending the regulations governing the
Connecticut River Raft Race. The name of the event is being changed to
the ``Great Connecticut River Raft Race'' due to a change in sponsor.
The regulated area is being moved up river to coincide with a change in
the race course. This regulation is necessary to control vessel traffic
within the regulated area due to the confined nature of the waterway
and anticipated congestion at the time of the event, thus providing for
the safety of life and property on the affected navigable waterway.
EFFECTIVE DATE: July 26, 1997.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Commander James B. Donovan, Assistant Search and Rescue
Branch, First Coast Guard District, (617) 223-8278.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory History
A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was published for this rule
on May 13, 1996 (61 FR 21998). The docket number for the NPRM was
incorrect. The correct number is CGD01-95-178. No comments were
received, no public hearing was requested and none was held.
Background and Purpose
The Connecticut River Raft Race is in its twenty-second year, and
is a popular local event. A permanent Special Local Regulation, 33 CFR
Part 100.102, governs the running of this event. Due to a change in
sponsor, the name of the event is changed to the ``Great Connecticut
River Raft Race'' and the location of the race is moved a short
distance up river. Given the recurring nature of the event, the Coast
Guard is amending 33 CFR Part 100.102. The race course and regulated
area will consist of that portion of the Connecticut River between
Marker nos. 92 and 73, Middletown, CT. Future event dates and times
will be published annually, in a Federal Register document.
This event will include approximately 60 homemade rafts and is
expected to draw approximately 60 homemade rafts and is expected to
draw approximately 100 spectator craft. The Coast Guard, Connecticut
Department of Environmental Protection, and local fire and police
departments will each assign a patrol to the event. However, due to
confined space and the restricted maneuverability of the participating
rafts, the regulated area is necessary to control spectator and
commercial vessel movement. Spectator craft are authorized to watch the
race from any location as long as they remain outside the designated
regulated area. In emergency situations, the Coast Guard patrol
commander may establish escort procedures for vessels requiring transit
through the regulated area.
[[Page 35388]]
Regulatory Evaluation
This 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 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. This conclusion is based on the limited duration of the
race, the infrequent presence of commercial traffic on the affected
portion of the Connecticut River, and the extensive, advance advisories
that will be made to the affected maritime community.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the
Coast Guard must consider the economic impact on small entities of a
rule for which a general notice of proposed rulemaking is required.
``Small entities'' may include (1) small businesses and not-for-profit
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not
dominant in their fields and (2) governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000.
For the reasons discussed in the Regulatory Evaluation, the Coast
Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposal will not have
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small
entities.
Collection of Information
This rule contains no collection of information requirements under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and has
determined that this rule does not raise sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impacts of this
rule and concluded that, under paragraph 2.B.2.e.34(h) of COMDTINST
16475.1B, (as revised by 61 FR 13563, March 27, 1996) this rule is a
special local regulation issued in conjunction with a regatta or marine
parade and is categorically excluded from further environmental
documentation.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Waterways.
Final Regulation
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard is
amending 33 CFR Part 100 as follows:
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. Section 100.102 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 100.102 Great Connecticut River Raft Race, Middletown, CT
(a) Regulated Area. That section of the Connecticut River between
Dart Island (Marker no. 73) and Portland Shoals (Marker no. 92),
Middletown, CT.
(b) Special Local Regulations.
(1) The Coast Guard patrol commander may delay, modify, or cancel
the race as conditions or circumstances require.
(2) No person or vessel may enter, transit, or remain in the
regulated area unless participating in the event or unless authorized
by the Coast Guard patrol commander.
(3) Vessels encountering emergencies which require transit through
the regulated area should contact the Coast Guard patrol commander on
VHF Channel 16. In the event of an emergency, the Coast guard patrol
commander may authorized a vessel to transit through the regulated area
with a Coast Guard designated escort.
(4) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of
the Coast Guard on-scene patrol commander. On-scene patrol personnel
may include commissioned, warrant, and petty officers of the U.S. Coast
guard. Upon hearing five or more short blasts from a U.S. Coast Guard
vessel, the operator of a vessel shall proceed as directed. Members of
the Coast Guard Auxiliary will also be present to inform vessel
operators of this regulation and other applicable laws.
(c) Effective Period. This rule is effective from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
on the last Saturday in July. If tidal conditions are not conductive to
performing the event it will take place the first Saturday in August.
Dated: July 26, 1996.\1\
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\1\ Note: This document was received at the Office of the
Federal Register on June 25, 1997.
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J.L. Linnon,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-17083 Filed 6-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
