[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 165 (Tuesday, August 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 45198-45199]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-22670]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD07-97-041]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulations; Miller Lite Offshore Challenge Boat 
Race at Islamorada, Florida--Gold Cup Series

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: Temporary special local regulations are being proposed for the 
Miller Lite Offshore Challenge Boat Race at Islamorada, Florida, 
sponsored by Offshore Power Boat Racing Association, Inc. This event 
will be held on October 4, 1997, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Eastern 
Daylight Time (EDT). These regulations are needed to provide for the 
safety of life on navigable waters during the event.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 25, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to U.S. Coast Guard Group Key West, 
Key West, Florida 33040-0005. The telephone number is (305) 292-8734. 
Comments will become a part of the public docket and will be available 
for copying and inspection at the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
QMC Culver, project officer, USCG Group Key West, (305) 292-8734.

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 rulemaking (CGD07-97-041) and the specific section of 
this proposal to which each comment applies and give the reason for 
each comment.
    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 QMC Culver at the address under ADDRESSES. The 
request should include why a hearing would be beneficial. If it 
determines 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 notice in the Federal Register.

Discussion of Regulations

    These proposed special local regulations are being considered for 
the Miller Lite Offshore Challenge Boat Race at Islamorada, Florida. 
The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT, on October 4, 1997. 
Approximately 45 power boats and 200 spectator crafts are expected to 
participate in the Miller Lite Offshore Challenge Boat Race. The power 
boats will be competing at high speeds and operating in close proximity 
to the spectators, creating an extra or unusual hazard on navigable 
waters. These regulations are needed to provide for the safety of life 
on navigable waters during the event.

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

[[Page 45199]]

Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies 
and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. Entry into the regulated area is 
prohibited for only 4 hours on the day of the event.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposed rule, if adopted, will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. ``Small entities'' include small businesses, not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their field, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000.
    Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) that this 
rule will not have a significant effect upon a substantial number of 
small entities as the regulations will only be in effect for 
approximately 4 hours in a limited area.

Collection of Information

    This proposal contains no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
action and has determined pursuant to section 2.B.2.e(35)(b) of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B that this action is categorically 
excluded from further environmental documentation. A Categorical 
Exclusion Determination and Environmental Assessment Checklist are 
available in the docket for inspection and copying.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

Proposed Regulations

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard proposes to 
amend, Part 100 of 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 and 33 CFR 100.35.

    2. A temporary section 100.35-T07-041 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.35-T07-041  Miller Lite Offshore Challenge Boat Race; 
Islamorada, FL.

    (a) Definitions:
    (1) Regulated Area. All navigable waters within a line drawn 
through the following points:

24-54-00N, 080-35-07W; thence to, 24-53-07N, 080-35-04W; thence to, 
24-55-08N, 080-33-00W; thence to, 24-55-08N, 080-34-08W.

All coordinates referenced use datum: NAD 1983.
    (2) Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander 
is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the United States Coast 
Guard who has been designated by Coast Guard Group Key West, Florida.
    (b) Special Local Regulations.  (1) Entry into the regulated area, 
by other than event participants, is prohibited unless otherwise 
authorized by the patrol commander. In the event the Miller Lite 
Offshore Challenge cannot be held on October 4, 1997 due to adverse 
weather conditions, these regulations will be in effect at the same 
times on October 5, 1997.
    (2) A succession of not less than 5 short whistle or horn blasts 
from a patrol vessel will be the signal for any non-participating 
vessel to take immediate steps to avoid collision. The display of a red 
distress flare from a patrol vessel will be a signal for any and all 
vessels to stop immediately.
    (c) Date. This section becomes effective at 11 a.m. and terminates 
at 3 p.m. EDT on October 4, 1997. In the event of adverse weather 
conditions on October 4, 1997, the event will be held the following 
day, October 5, 1997, during the same time period.

    Dated: August 15, 1997.
R.C. Olsen, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District 
Acting.
[FR Doc. 97-22670 Filed 8-25-97; 8:45 am]
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