[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 58 (Wednesday, March 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14379-14381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-7620]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD11-97-004]


Special Local Regulation; Laughlin Aquamoto Sports Challenge and 
Expo

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to amend the table of events in 33 
CFR 100.1102 by adding the Laughlin Aquamoto Sports Challenge and Expo 
being conducted in the waters of the Colorado River from Davis Dam 
south to Harrah's Hotel and Casino on the following dates: annually, a 
four-day weekend event in May or June. These regulations are necessary 
to provide for the safety of life, property, and navigation on the 
navigable waters of the United States during scheduled events.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before May 12, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Lieutenant Mike A. Arguelles, 
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, 2716 North Harbor Drive, San 
Diego, California 92101, or may be delivered to the same address 
between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays. The telephone number is (619) 683-6484. The Captain of the 
Port maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments will 
become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or 
copying at Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, 2716 North Harbor Drive, 
San Diego.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Mike A. Arguelles, Coast 
Guard Marine Safety Office, San Diego; telephone number (619) 683-6484.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or comments. Persons 
submitting comments should include their name and address, identify 
this rulemaking (CGD11-97-004) and the specific section of this 
proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each 
comment. The Coast Guard requests that all comments and attachments be 
submitted in an unbound format suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. If not practical, a second copy of any bound materials is 
requested. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments

[[Page 14380]]

should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    A public comment period of only 45 days is necessary in order to 
permit publication of a final rule at least 30 days prior to 
commencement of the effective period, yet still allow opportunity for 
submission and consideration of comments from the public.
    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 the project officer at the address under 
ADDRESSES. If it determines that the opportunity for oral presentation 
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.

Background and Purpose

    The Aquamoto Sports Challenge and Expo will consist of various 
styles of watercraft racing. The races will take place, annually, over 
a four-day weekend in May or June. These regulations are necessary to 
provide for the safety of life, property, and navigation on the 
navigable waters of the United States during scheduled events.

Discussion of Regulation

    The race zone encompasses the Colorado River from the Davis Dam 
south to Harrah's Hotel and Casino. The race courses will be marked by 
vessels with signs, and both north and south boundaries of the race 
zone will have major signs to alert non-participants using the river. 
On various days and times during the event, the race zone will be in 
use by vessels competing in the Aquamoto Challenge. During these times 
the Colorado River from Davis Dam south to Harrah's Hotel and Casino 
will be closed to all traffic with the exception of emergency vessels. 
No vessels other than participants or official patrol vessels will be 
allowed to enter this zone unless specifically cleared by or through an 
official patrol vessel. Once the zone is established, authorization to 
remain within the zone is subject to termination at any time. The 
Patrol Commander may impose other restrictions within the zone if 
circumstances dictate. Restrictions will be tailored to impose the 
least impact on maritime interests yet provide the level of security 
deemed necessary to safely conduct the Aquamoto and Expo.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposal is not a significant regulatory action under section 
3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require assessment of 
potential cost 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 
regulation to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under 
paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of the 
Department of Transportation is unnecessary.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this rule will have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small 
entities'' may include small businesses and not-for-profit 
organizations that are not dominant in their fields and (2) 
governmental jurisdictions with populations less than 50,000. Because 
it expects the impact of this proposal to be so minimal, the Coast 
Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this proposal, if adopted, will not have a 
substantial impact on a significant 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 regulation under the principles 
and criteria in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that this rule 
does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the 
preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
regulation and concluded that under paragraph 2.B.2 of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B as revised in 59 CFR 38654, July 29 1994 and 61 
FR 13563, March 27, 1996, it will have no significant environmental 
impact and it is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination and Environmental 
Analysis checklist will be available for inspection and copying in the 
docket to be maintained at the address listed in ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Regattas, Marine parades.

Proposed Regulation

    For the reasons set out in the preamble the Coast Guard proposes to 
amend Part 100, Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, 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.

    2. In Sec. 100.1102, Table 1 is amended by adding an entry for the 
Laughlin Aquamoto Sports Challenge and Expo immediately following the 
entry for the Laughlin Classic to read as follows:


Sec. 100.1102  Marine Events on the Colorado River, between Davis Dam 
(Bullhead City, Arizona) and Headgate Dam (Parker, Arizona).

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                                 Table 1                                
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      *                   *                   *                   *     
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Laughlin Aquamoto Sports Challenge and Expo.                            
Sponsor: Baja Promotions.                                               
Dates: Four-day weekend event in May or June.                           
Where: That portion of Colorado river near Laughlin, Nevada, from Davis 
 Dam to Harrah's Hotel and Casino.                                      
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[[Page 14381]]

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    Dated: March 17, 1997.
J.M. MacDonald,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Coast Guard Pacific Area, Acting.
[FR Doc. 97-7620 Filed 3-25-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M