[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 229 (Tuesday, November 26, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60027-60028]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30065]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD 95-054]
RIN 2115-AF17


Regattas and Marine Parades

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Interim rule; delay of effective date.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is delaying the effective date of the interim 
rule on regatta and marine parades published in the Federal Register on 
June 26, 1996. The interim rule more precisely identifies those marine 
events which require a permit, those which require only written notice 
to the Coast Guard, and those which require neither. A change in the 
effective date from January 1, 1997, to January 1, 1998, is necessary 
to allow time to further assess the potential impact, if any, of the 
interim rule on the environment.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule published on June 26, 1996 (61 FR 
33027) is effective on January 1, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Carlton Perry, Office of Boating Safety, (202) 267-0979. A copy of 
the interim rule and the draft environmental assessment may be obtained 
by calling the Coast Guard Customer Infoline at 1-800-368-5647 or, in 
Washington, DC, 267-0780.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 26, 1996, the Coast Guard published 
an interim rule and notice of availability of environmental assessment 
(CGD 95-054) entitled ``Regattas and Marine Parades'' in the Federal 
Register (61 FR 33027). The interim rule, which was to become effective 
on January 1, 1997, revised the Coast Guard's marine event regulations 
to eliminate unnecessary requirements while continuing to protect the 
safety of life. The rule more precisely identifies those events which 
require a permit, those which require only written notice of the Coast 
Guard, and those which require neither. The environmental assessment 
and proposed finding of no significant impact which support this 
rulemaking were made available to the public.
    Approximately 85 comments were received in response to the USCG 
request for comments and publication of the interim rule and notice of

[[Page 60028]]

availability of the Environmental Assessment. Many of these comments 
raised concerns regarding the reporting requirements placed on the 
marine event sponsors and the potential environmental effects 
associated with changing the current regulations on regatta and marine 
parade permitting procedures. In addition, several comments received in 
response to a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) entitled 
``U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Protected Living Marine Resources 
Initiative'' reiterated concerns raised by the comments on the interim 
rule. Based upon these comments, and concerns raised during the ongoing 
consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National 
Marine Fisheries Service, the Coast Guard is reconsidering whether to 
proceed with a revision of the existing regulations on regatta and 
marine parade permitting procedures, as published, and is postponing 
the effective date for the interim rule.
    Accordingly, in FR Doc. 96-16319 published in the Federal Register 
on June 26, 1996, at 61 FR 33027, the effective date for the referenced 
interim rule is changed from January 1, 1997, to January 1, 1998.

    Dated: November 19, 1996.
M.F. McCormack,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-30065 Filed 11-25-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M