[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 216 (Friday, November 7, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60177-60178]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-29509]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD07-97-047]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulations; City of Augusta, GA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: Temporary special local regulations are being adopted for the 
Augusta Port Authority's Head of the South Rowing Regatta. The event 
will be held from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 
November 7 and 8, 1997, on the Savannah River at Augusta, GA.

DATES: This rule becomes effective from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. EST on 
November 7 and 8, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG M.J. DaPonte, Project Manager, Coast Guard Group Charleston at 
(803) 724-7621.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulatory History

    On September 26, 1997, the Coast Guard published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking entitled Head of the South Rowing Regatta, in the 
Federal Register (62 FR 50544). The Coast Guard received no comments 
during the notice of proposed rulemaking. A public hearing was not 
requested, and none was held.

Background and Purpose

    These regulations are needed to provide for the safety of life 
during the Head of the South Rowing Regatta. The regulations are 
intended to promote safe navigation on the Savannah River

[[Page 60178]]

immediately before, during, and after the race by controlling the 
traffic entering, exiting, and traveling within the regulated area.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553, good cause exists for making these 
regulations effective in less than 30 days after Federal Register 
publication. Delaying its effective date would be contrary to national 
safety interests since immediate action is needed to minimize potential 
danger to the public. The permit request to hold this event was 
received by the Coast Guard in late September, leaving insufficient 
time for a full comment period and delayed effective date. The 
anticipated number of participants and spectator vessels poses a safety 
concern which is addressed in these special local regulations. There 
will be approximately 6000 participants racing singles, doubles, four, 
and eight person rowing shells on a fixed course. The event will take 
place on the Savannah River at Augusta, GA between mile marker 200.20 
and marker 197.0.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553, good cause exists for making these 
regulations effective in less than 30 days after Federal Register 
publication. Delaying its effective date would be contrary to national 
safety interests since immediate action is needed to minimize potential 
danger to the public. The permit request to hold this event was 
received by the Coast Guard in late September, leaving insufficient 
time for a full comment period and delayed effective date.

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 
10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. 
The regulated area encompasses less than 3 nautical miles on the 
Savannah River between mile markers 200.2 and 197.0, entry into which 
is prohibited for only twelve hours on each 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 rule 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. For the reasons stated above in the Regulatory Evaluation, the 
believes this rule not have a significant effect upon a substantial 
number of small entities. 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, because these regulations will 
only be in effect for two days in a limited area of the Savannah River 
that is seldom used for commerce.

Collection of Information

    These regulations contain no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    This action has analyzed in accordance with the principals and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and it has been determined 
that this 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(34)(h) of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B, that it is categorically excluded 
from further environmental documentation. A Categorical Exclusion 
Determination and Environmental Analysis Checklist has been prepared 
and are available in the docket for inspection or copying.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

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

Temporary Regulations:

    In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard amends 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 100.35T-07-047 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.35T-07-047  Head of the South Rowing Regatta; Savannah River, 
Augusta, GA.

    (a) Definitions:
    (1) Regulated area. A regulated area is established on that portion 
of the Savannah River at Augusta, GA, between mile markers 200.2 and 
197.0. The regulated area encompasses the width of the Savannah River 
between these two points.
    (2) Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander 
is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard who has 
been designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Group Charleston, SC.
    (b) Special Local Regulations. Entry into the regulated area by 
other than event participations is prohibited, unless otherwise 
authorized by the Coast Guard Commander. After termination of the Head 
of the South Rowing Regatta on November 7-8, 1997, all vessels may 
resume normal operations.
    (c) Effective Date. This section is effective from 6:30 a.m. to 
6:30 p.m. EST on November 7 and 8, 1997.

    Dated: October 27, 1997.
Norman T. Saunders,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 97-29509 Filed 11-6-97; 8:45 am]
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