2011-18043. Special Local Regulations for Marine Events, Bogue Sound; Morehead City, NC

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing Special Local Regulations for “The Crystal Coast Grand Prix” powerboat race, to be held on the waters of Bogue Sound, adjacent to Morehead City, North Carolina. This Special Local Regulation is necessary to protect spectators and vessels from hazards associated with powerboat races. This regulation will close a portion of the waters of Bogue Sound to vessel traffic during the boat race.

DATES:

This rule is effective August 20-21, 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-2011-0306 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2011-0306 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 rule, call or e-mail BOSN3 Joseph M. Edge, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina, Coast Guard; telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

Regulatory Information

On May 27, 2011, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled Special Local Regulations for Marine Events, Bogue Sound; Morehead City, North Carolina in the Federal Register (76 FR 30887). We received no comments on the proposed rule. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.

Background and Purpose

On August 20-21, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. East Coast Extreme Corporation will sponsor “The Crystal Coast Grand Prix” powerboat race on the waters of Bogue Sound adjacent to Morehead City, North Carolina. This special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and spectators from hazards associated with the powerboat race. The Captain of the Port North Carolina has determined powerboat races in close proximity to watercraft and infrastructure pose significant risk to public safety and property. The likely combination of large numbers of recreational vessels, powerboats traveling at high speeds, and large numbers of spectators in close proximity to the water could easily result in serious injuries or fatalities. Establishing a special local regulation that prohibits vessels or persons from entering the race course and surrounding area will help ensure the safety of persons and property at this event and help minimize the associated risk.

The special local regulation will encompass the waters of Bogue Sound, adjacent to Morehead City from the southern tip of Sugar Loaf Island approximate position latitude 34°42′45″ N, longitude 076°42′48″ W, thence westerly to Morehead City Channel Daybeacon 7 (LLNR 38620), thence southwesterly along the channel line to Bogue Sound Light 4 (LLNR 38770), thence southerly to Causeway Channel Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 28720), thence southeasterly to Money Island Daybeacon 1 (LLNR 38645), thence easterly to Eight and One Half Marina Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 38685), thence easterly to the westernmost shoreline of Brant island approximate position latitude 34°42′36″ N, longitude 076°42′11″ W, thence northeasterly along the shoreline to Tombstone Point approximate position latitude 34°42′14″ N, longitude 076°41′20″ W, thence southeasterly to Morehead City Channel Lighted Buoy 23 (LLNR 29455), thence easterly to approximate position latitude 34°41′25″ N, longitude 076°41′22″ W, thence northerly along the shoreline to approximate position latitude 34°43′00″ N, longitude 076°41′25″ W, thence westerly to the North Carolina State Port Facility, thence westerly along the State Port to the southwest corner approximate position latitude 34°42′55″ N, longitude 076°42′12″ W, thence westerly to the southern tip of Sugar Loaf Island the point of origin. This regulated area encompasses the entire race course located on Bogue Sound near Morehead City, North Carolina. All geographic coordinates are North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).

Discussion of Comments and Changes

There were no comments and no changes made.

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 regulation will restrict access to the area, the effect of this rule will not be significant because the regulated area will be in effect for a limited time, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., on August 20-21, 2011. The Coast Guard will give advance notification via maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly, and the regulated area will apply only to the section of Bogue Sound adjacent to Morehead City. Coast Guard vessels enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz).

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 may be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the specified portion of Bogue Sound from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 20-21, 2011.

This rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This rule will only be in effect for six hours each day for two days total. The regulated area applies only to the section of Bogue Sound adjacent to Morehead City and traffic may be allowed to pass through the regulated area with the permission of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Before the enforcement period, we 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), 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 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) and (35)(a), 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. This special local regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of the general public and event participants from potential hazards associated with movement of vessels near the event area. 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. Add a temporary § 100.35T05-0306 to read as follows:

§ 100.35T05-0306

Special Local Regulation; Crystal Coast Grand Prix; Morehead City, NC.

(a) Regulated area. The following location is a regulated area: All waters of Bogue Sound, adjacent to Morehead City from the southern tip of Sugar Loaf Island approximate position latitude 34°42′45″ N, longitude 076°42′48″ W, thence westerly to Morehead City Channel Daybeacon 7 (LLNR 38620), thence southwesterly along the channel line to Bogue Sound Light 4 (LLNR 38770), thence southerly to Causeway Channel Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 28720), thence southeasterly to Money Island Daybeacon 1 (LLNR 38645), thence easterly to Eight and One Half Marina Daybeacon 2 (LLNR 38685), thence easterly to the westernmost shoreline of Brant island approximate position latitude 34°42′36″ N, longitude 076°42′11″ W, thence northeasterly along the shoreline to Tombstone Point approximate position latitude 34°42′14″ N, longitude 076°41′20″ W, thence southeasterly to Morehead City Channel Lighted Buoy 23 (LLNR 29455), thence easterly to approximate position latitude 34°41′25″ N, longitude 076°41′22″ W, thence northerly along the shoreline to approximate position latitude 34°43′00″ N, longitude 076°41″25″ W, thence westerly to the North Carolina State Port Facility, thence westerly along the State Port to the southwest corner approximate position latitude 34°42′55″ N, longitude 076°42′12″ W, thence westerly to the southern tip of Sugar Loaf Island the point of origin. All coordinates reference North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83).

(b) Definitions: (1) Coast Guard Patrol Commander means a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard who has been designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina.

(2) Official Patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by Commander, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina with a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.

(3) Participant means all vessels participating in the “The Crystal Coast Grand Prix” powerboat race under the auspices of the Marine Event Permit issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina.

(4) Spectator means all persons and vessels not registered with the event sponsor as participants or official patrol.

(c) Special local regulations: (1) The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may forbid and control the movement of all vessels in the vicinity of the regulated area. When hailed or signaled by an official patrol vessel, a vessel approaching the regulated area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do so may result in termination of voyage and citation for failure to comply.

(2) The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may terminate the event, or the operation of any support vessel participating in the event, at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of life or property. The Coast Guard may be assisted in the patrol and enforcement of the regulated area by other Federal, State, and local agencies.

(3) Vessel traffic, not involved with the event, may be allowed to transit the regulated area with the permission of the Patrol Commander. Vessels that desire passage through the regulated area shall contact the Coast Guard Patrol Commander on VHF-FM marine band radio for direction. Only participants and official patrol vessels are allowed to enter the regulated area.

(4) All Coast Guard vessels enforcing the regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and channel 22 (157.1 MHz). The Coast Guard will issue marine information broadcast on VHF-FM marine band radio announcing specific event date and times.

(d) Enforcement period: This section will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on August 20-21, 2011.

Dated: July 5, 2011.

T.M. Cummins,

Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Captain of the Port North Carolina.