[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9368-9369]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5065]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 110

[CGD01-96-012]
RIN 2115-AA98


Special Anchorage Area: Special Anchorage Great Kills Harbor, 
Staten Island, New York; Special Anchorage Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, 
New York

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending the special anchorage regulations 
for Great Kills Harbor, Staten Island, New York, and Sheepshead Bay, 
Brooklyn, New York. The regulations are amended to remove the language 
that required federal mooring permits for individual mooring locations 
in these special anchorage areas.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 2, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LT John W. Green, Waterways Oversight 
Branch, Coast Guard Activities, New York (212) 668-7906.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

    On March 20,1996, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (61 FR 11356). The Coast 
Guard received one hundred fifty comments on the proposals. A public 
hearing was requested but was not held since the written comments 
clearly expressed the views of the commenters and oral presentations 
would not aid the rulemaking process.

Background and Purpose

    An area designated as a special anchorage provides for vessels 65 
feet and under to anchor within specified boundaries without exhibiting 
anchor lights. Approximately a decade ago, Captain of the Port New York 
administered approximately 2,500 mooring locations annually in 
approximately nine special anchorages. As the size of the boating 
public grew, the burden of administering these mooring locations became 
increasingly difficult. Several years ago, Captain of the Port New York 
discontinued the administration of individual recreational mooring 
locations in all special anchorages, except for anchorages in Great 
Kills Harbor and Sheepshead Bay. Due to budget constraints and the 
Presidential mandate to streamline the federal government, Captain of 
the Port New York discontinued entirely the discretionary procedure of 
issuing permits for mooring locations. This rule amends existing 
regulations to reflect that mooring permits are no longer issued by the 
Coast Guard for the Great Kills Harbor and Sheepshead Bay anchorages. 
Although mooring permits are no longer issued by the Captain of the 
Port, vessels may still anchor or use a mooring buoy without displaying 
lights. Vessel owners interested is using these anchorages in the 1997 
boating season may contact: Thomas Rozinski, Deputy Counsel, New York 
City Department of Parks and Recreation, The Arsenal, Central Park, New 
York, NY 10021.

Discussion of Comments

    One hundred fifty comments objected to the Coast Guard 
discontinuing the issuance of mooring permits in the Great Kills Harbor 
special anchorage. No comments were received objecting to the Coast 
Guard discontinuing the issuance of mooring permits in Sheepshead Bay.
    Comments were received from three yacht clubs in Great Kills Harbor 
and one hundred forty of their members and from seven individuals not 
specifically allied with the three yacht clubs. These persons stated 
that the transfer of responsibility for issuing permits to the Borough 
of Staten Island or other entity would result in chaos on the water, 
and the cost of a mooring permit to be increased beyond the reach of 
the vessel owners holding permits. On yacht club stated that there may 
be a loss of membership and possible dissolution of the club due to the 
increase in the cost of permits. The Coast Guard considered these 
comments and forwarded them to the New York City Department of Parks 
and Recreation. The Coast Guard believes that the municipality will 
regulate the moorings in an orderly manner and in the best interests of 
its constituents. Concerns over the costs of future permits should be 
addressed to New York City Department of Parks and Recreation at the 
address provided in the Background and Purpose section above.
    Various persons suggested that the Coast Guard charge a fee, or 
extend the term of the permit to two or three years to offset the Coast 
Guard's expenses in issuing permits. The Coast Guard considered these 
comments. The decision to no longer issue mooring permits was based on 
the belief that, similar to the arrangement in the rest of

[[Page 9369]]

the country, local governments, rather than the federal government, are 
the appropriate entities to issue local mooring permits. The Coast 
Guard believes it is inappropriate for the Coast Guard to continue to 
administer the moorings and charge increased fees to compensate for the 
cost of administering the system.

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 of this 
proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under 
paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is 
unnecessary. This rule does not affect the status of the special 
anchorage areas in Great Kills Harbor or Sheepshead Bay, but merely 
reflects that the Captain of the Port of New York mooring permit 
procedures are no longer applicable and that mooring permits will no 
longer be issued by the Coast Guard. This proposal will not be 
significant because the boating public retains the ability to use the 
anchorages, and will be able to do so without obtaining a Federal 
mooring permit. The Coast Guard expects that the New York City Parks 
and Recreation Department will act in the interest of the boating 
public and will carefully consider the economic impact of their actions 
on vessel owners.

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 business and not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their field and (2) governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000.
    For reasons set forth in the Regulatory Evaluation and Discussion 
of Comments sections, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) 
that this regulation 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 rule under the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that 
this proposed rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
regulation and concluded that it is categorically excluded from further 
analysis and documentation requirements under the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This determination was made in 
accordance with agency procedures and policy for categorical exclusions 
published in pagragrah 2.B.2.e. (34)(a) of Commandant Instruction 
M16475.1B (as revised by 59 FR 38654, July 29, 1994). A Categorical 
Exclusion Determination and Environmental Analysis Checklist are 
included in the docket.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

Regulation

    For reasons set out the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR 
110.60 as follows:

PART 110--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 110 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 2071; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 1.05-
1(g). Section 110.1a and each section listed in it are also issued 
under 33 U.S.C. 1223 and 1231.

    2. Section 110.60 is amended by revising the note following 
paragraph (r-1) and paragraph (x)(4) to read as follows (table 
110.60(x)(4) and figure 110.60(x)(4) following paragraph (x)(4) remain 
unchanged):


Sec. 110.60  Port of New York and vicinity.

* * * * *
    (r-1) * * *

    Note: The special anchorage area is principally for use by 
yachts and other recreational craft. A temporary float or buoy for 
marking the location of the anchor of a vessel at anchor may be 
used. Fixed mooring piles or stakes are prohibited. Vessels shall be 
anchored so that no part of the vessel comes within 50 feet of the 
marked channel.
* * * * *
    (x) * * *
    (4) Captain of the Port Regulations. In Sheepshead Bay, New York, 
Western, Northern, and Southern Special Anchorage Areas, the following 
applies:
    (i) Two anchors shall be used. The anchor minimum weight and 
minimum chain size shall be as shown in table 110.60(x)(4) and the 
anchor shall be placed as shown in figure 110.60(x)(4).
    (ii) The area is principally for vessels used for a recreational 
purpose.
* * * *
    Dated: February 11, 1997.
J.L. Linnon,
Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-5065 Filed 2-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M