[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 43 (Monday, March 4, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 8227-8229]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-4919]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[CGD01-95-168]
RIN 2115-AE46
Special Local Regulation: World's Fastest Lobster Boat Race,
Moosabec Reach, Jonesport, ME
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
[[Page 8228]]
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a permanent special
local regulation for the World's Fastest Lobster Boat Race. The event
will be held annually on the observed Independence Day in the waters of
Moosabec Reach, Jonesport, ME. This regulation is needed to protect the
boating public from the hazards associated with high speed powerboat
racing in confined waters.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before May 3, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Commander (b), First Coast
Guard District, Captain John Foster Williams Federal Building, 408
Atlantic Ave., Boston, MA 02110-3350, or may be hand delivered to Room
428 at the same address, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except federal holidays. Comments will become part of this
docket and will be available for inspection or copying at the above
address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant (jg) B.M. Algeo, Chief, Boating Affairs Branch, First Coast
Guard District, (617) 223-8311.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments.
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses,
identify this notice (CGD01-95-168), the specific section of the
proposal to which each comment applies, and give reasons for each
comment. The Coast Guard requests that all comments and attachments be
submitted in an 8\1/2\'' x 11'' unbound format suitable for copying and
electronic filing. If that is not practical, a second copy of any bound
material is requested. Persons requesting acknowledgment of receipt of
comments should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the
comment period. It may change this proposal in view of the comments.
The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a public
hearing by writing to Commander (b), First Coast Guard District at the
address under ADDRESSES. The request should include reasons why a
hearing would be beneficial. If it is determined that the opportunity
for oral presentations will aid this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will
hold a public hearing at a time and place announced by a later notice
in the Federal Register.
Discussion of Proposed Amendments
The World's Fastest Lobsterboat Race is a local, traditional event
that has been held for many years in Jonesport, ME. In the past, the
Coast Guard has promulgated individual regulations for each year's
running of the race. Given the recurring nature of the event, the Coast
Guard desires to establish a permanent regulation for this event. The
proposed regulation would establish a regulated area on Moosabec Reach
and would provide specific guidance to control vessel movement during
the race.
This event includes up to 60 power-driven lobster boats competing
in heats on a marked course at speeds approaching 25 m.p.h. The Coast
Guard will assign a patrol to the event, and the race course will be
marked. However, due to the speed, large wakes, and proximity of the
participating vessels, it is necessary to establish a special local
regulation to control spectator and commercial vessel movement within
this confined area. Spectator craft are authorized to watch the race
from any area as long as they remain outside the designated regulated
area.
The proposed section will be effective annually on the observed
Independence Day holiday or as published in a Coast Guard Notice to
Mariners. A rain date may be established and announced in a Coast Guard
Notice to Mariners. In emergency situations, the Coast Guard patrol
commander may establish escort procedures for vessels requiring transit
through the regulated area.
Regulatory Evaluation
This proposal 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 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 extensive
advisories that will be made to the affected maritime community, and
the minimal restrictions the regulation places on vessel traffic.
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 proposal 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 proposal in accordance with the
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has
determined that this proposal does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impacts of this
proposal and concluded that, under paragraph 2.B.2.e.34(h) of COMDTINST
16475.1B (as revised by 59 FR 38654, July 29, 1994), this proposal is a
regulation issued in conjunction with an annually issued regatta or
marine parade permit 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.
Proposed Regulation
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:
PART 100--[AMENDED]
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. A permanent section, Sec. 100.110, is added to read as follows:
Sec. 100.110 World's Fastest Lobster Boat Race, Jonesport, ME.
(a) Regulated Area. The regulated area includes all waters of
Moosabec Reach within the following points (NAD 83):
[[Page 8229]]
Latitude Longitude
44 deg.31'36'' N 067 deg.36'54'' W
44 deg.31'48'' N 067 deg.34'42'' W
44 deg.31'36'' N 067 deg.34'42'' W
44 deg.31'18'' N 067 deg.36'54'' W
(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 authorize 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 on-scene Coast Guard patrol commander. On-scene patrol personnel
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 section is in effect from 10 a.m. to 1
p.m. annually on the observed Independence Day holiday, unless
otherwise specified in a Coast Guard Notice to Mariners.
Dated: February 20, 1996.
J.L. Linnon,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-4919 Filed 3-1-96; 8:45 am]
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