[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 126 (Tuesday, July 1, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 35387-35388]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-17083]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD01-95-178]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulation: The ``Great Connecticut River Raft 
Race'', Middletown, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending the regulations governing the 
Connecticut River Raft Race. The name of the event is being changed to 
the ``Great Connecticut River Raft Race'' due to a change in sponsor. 
The regulated area is being moved up river to coincide with a change in 
the race course. This regulation is necessary to control vessel traffic 
within the regulated area due to the confined nature of the waterway 
and anticipated congestion at the time of the event, thus providing for 
the safety of life and property on the affected navigable waterway.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 26, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Commander James B. Donovan, Assistant Search and Rescue 
Branch, First Coast Guard District, (617) 223-8278.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulatory History

    A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) was published for this rule 
on May 13, 1996 (61 FR 21998). The docket number for the NPRM was 
incorrect. The correct number is CGD01-95-178. No comments were 
received, no public hearing was requested and none was held.

Background and Purpose

    The Connecticut River Raft Race is in its twenty-second year, and 
is a popular local event. A permanent Special Local Regulation, 33 CFR 
Part 100.102, governs the running of this event. Due to a change in 
sponsor, the name of the event is changed to the ``Great Connecticut 
River Raft Race'' and the location of the race is moved a short 
distance up river. Given the recurring nature of the event, the Coast 
Guard is amending 33 CFR Part 100.102. The race course and regulated 
area will consist of that portion of the Connecticut River between 
Marker nos. 92 and 73, Middletown, CT. Future event dates and times 
will be published annually, in a Federal Register document.
    This event will include approximately 60 homemade rafts and is 
expected to draw approximately 60 homemade rafts and is expected to 
draw approximately 100 spectator craft. The Coast Guard, Connecticut 
Department of Environmental Protection, and local fire and police 
departments will each assign a patrol to the event. However, due to 
confined space and the restricted maneuverability of the participating 
rafts, the regulated area is necessary to control spectator and 
commercial vessel movement. Spectator craft are authorized to watch the 
race from any location as long as they remain outside the designated 
regulated area. In emergency situations, the Coast Guard patrol 
commander may establish escort procedures for vessels requiring transit 
through the regulated area.

[[Page 35388]]

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule 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 
rule 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 infrequent presence of commercial traffic on the affected 
portion of the Connecticut River, and the extensive, advance advisories 
that will be made to the affected maritime community.

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 rule 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 in accordance with the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and has 
determined that this rule does not raise sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impacts of this 
rule and concluded that, under paragraph 2.B.2.e.34(h) of COMDTINST 
16475.1B, (as revised by 61 FR 13563, March 27, 1996) this rule is a 
special local regulation issued in conjunction with a regatta or marine 
parade 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.

Final Regulation

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard is 
amending 33 CFR Part 100 as follows:
    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. Section 100.102 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 100.102   Great Connecticut River Raft Race, Middletown, CT

    (a) Regulated Area. That section of the Connecticut River between 
Dart Island (Marker no. 73) and Portland Shoals (Marker no. 92), 
Middletown, CT.
    (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 authorized 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 Coast Guard on-scene patrol commander. On-scene patrol personnel 
may 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 rule is effective from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 
on the last Saturday in July. If tidal conditions are not conductive to 
performing the event it will take place the first Saturday in August.

    Dated: July 26, 1996.\1\
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    \1\ Note: This document was received at the Office of the 
Federal Register on June 25, 1997.
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J.L. Linnon,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.

[FR Doc. 97-17083 Filed 6-30-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M