02-21298. Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Bush River, Abingdon, Maryland

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations during the “Harford County Power Boat Regatta”, a marine event to be held on the waters of Bush River near Abingdon, Maryland. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Bush River during the event.

DATES:

This rule is effective from 11:30 a.m. on August 31, 2002 to 6:30 p.m. on September 1, 2002.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket CGD05-02-057 and are available for inspection or copying at Commander (Aoax), Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704-5004, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Ronald Houck, Marine Information Specialist, Commander, Coast Guard Activities Baltimore, at [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

 

Regulatory Information

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. In keeping with 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a NPRM and for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The event will begin on Saturday, August 31, 2002. There is not sufficient time to allow for a notice and comment period, prior to the event. Because of the danger inherent in high-speed boat races, special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of participants, spectator craft and other vessels transiting the event area. For the safety concerns noted, it is in the public interest to have these regulations in effect during the event. In addition, advance notifications will be made via the Local Notice to Mariners, marine information broadcasts, and area newspapers.

Background and Purpose

On August 31 and September 1, 2002, the Harford County Power Boat Association will sponsor the “Harford County Power Boat Regatta”, on the waters of the Bush River, near Abingdon, Maryland. The event will consist of approximately 75 inboard hydroplanes and runabouts racing in heats counter-clockwise around a 1.25-mile oval racecourse. A fleet of spectator vessels is anticipated. Due to the need for vessel control during the races, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted to provide for the safety of spectators, participants and transiting vessels.

Discussion of Rule

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations on specified waters of the Bush River. The temporary special local regulations will be enforced from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on both August 31 and September 1, 2002. The effect will be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area during the event. Except for participants in the “Harford County Power Boat Regatta” and vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area. The Patrol Commander will allow non-participating vessels to transit the event area between races at slow speed. These regulations are needed to control vessel traffic during the event to enhance the safety of participants, spectators and transiting vessels.

Regulatory Evaluation

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. It is not “significant” under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040; February 26, 1979).

Although this rule prevents traffic from transiting a portion of the Bush River during the event, the effect of this rule will not be significant due to the limited duration of the regulation, the fact that the Patrol Commander will allow non-participating vessels to transit the event area between races, and the extensive advance notifications that will be made to the maritime community via the Local Notice to Mariners, marine information broadcasts, and area newspapers, so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we 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 or anchor in the effected portions of the Bush River during the event.

Although this rule prevents traffic from transiting or anchoring in a portion of the Bush River during the event, the effect of this rule will not be significant because of its limited duration, the fact that the Patrol Commander will allow non-participating vessels to transit the event area between races, and the extensive advance notifications that will be made to the maritime community via the Local Notice to Mariners, marine information broadcasts, and area newspapers, so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this temporary rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact the address listed under ADDRESSES.

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).

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 and 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. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Environment

We prepared an “Environmental Assessment” in accordance with Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, and determined that this rule will not significantly affect the quality of the human environment. The “Environmental Assessment” and “Finding of No Significant Impact” is 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 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; 49 CFR 1.46.

2. From 11:30 a.m. on August 31, 2002 to 6:30 p.m. on September 1, 2002, add temporary section, § 100.35-T05-057 to read as follows:

§ 100.35-T05-057

Bush River, Abingdon, Maryland.

(a) Definitions.

(1) Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard who has been designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Activities Baltimore.

(2) Official Patrol. The Official Patrol is any vessel assigned or approved by Commander, Coast Guard Activities Baltimore with a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.

(3) Participant. Includes all vessels participating in the Harford County Power Boat Regatta under the auspices of the Marine Event Permit issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard Activities Baltimore.

(b) Regulated area. Includes the waters of the Bush River bounded on the south by the Amtrak railroad drawbridge, thence northerly from the eastern end of the drawbridge along the shoreline to Church Point at latitude 39°27′48″ N, longitude 76°13′42″ W, thence westerly to Bush Point at latitude 39°27′42″ N, longitude 76°14′30″ W, thence southwesterly along the shoreline to Otter Point at latitude 39°26′48″ N, longitude 76°15′42″ W, thence southerly to Flying Point at latitude 39°26′30″ N, longitude 76°15′30″ W, thence southeasterly along the shoreline to the western end of the Amtrak railroad drawbridge. All coordinates reference Datum: NAD 1983.

(c) Special local regulations.

(1) Except for event participants and persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area.

(2) The operator of any vessel in the regulated area shall:

(i) Stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by any official patrol.

(ii) Proceed as directed by any official patrol.

(iii) Unless otherwise directed by the official patrol, operate at a minimum wake speed not to exceed six (6) knots.

(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on both August 31 and September 1, 2002.

Dated: August 14, 2002.

A.E. Brooks,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.