[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 248 (Monday, December 29, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 67570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-33682]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD 95-054]
RIN 2115-AF17


Regattas and Marine Parades

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Interim rule; delay of effective date.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is delaying the effective date of the interim 
rule on regatta and marine parades published in the Federal Register on 
June 26, 1996. The interim rule more precisely identifies those marine 
events which require a permit, those which require only written notice 
to the Coast Guard, and those which require neither. A change in the 
effective date from January 1, 1998, to January 1, 1999, is necessary 
to allow additional time to further assess the potential impact, if 
any, of the interim rule on the environment.

EFFECTIVE DATE: The interim rule published on June 26, 1996 (61 FR 
33027) and delayed by a document published on November 26, 1996 (61 FR 
60027) is effective on January 1, 1999.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Carlton Perry, Project Manager, Office of Boating Safety, Program 
Management Division, 202-267-0979. You may obtain a copy of the interim 
rule and subsequent notices by calling the U.S. Coast Guard Infoline at 
1-800-368-5647 or read it on the Internet at the Web Site for the 
Office of Boating Safety at URL address www.uscgboating.org.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 26, 1996, the Coast Guard published 
an interim rule and notice of availability of environmental assessment 
(CGD 95-054) entitled ``Regattas and Marine Parades'' in the Federal 
Register (61 FR 33027). The interim rule, which was to become effective 
on January 1, 1997, revised the Coast Guard's marine event regulations 
to eliminate unnecessary requirements while continuing to protect the 
safety of life. The rule more precisely identifies those events which 
require a permit, those which require only written notice to the Coast 
Guard, and those which require neither. The environmental assessment 
and proposed finding of no significant impact which support this 
rulemaking were made available to the public.
    Approximately 85 comments were received in response to the interim 
rule and notice of availability of the environmental assessment and to 
the Coast Guard's previous requests for comments. Many of these 
comments raised concerns regarding the reporting requirements placed on 
the marine event sponsors and the potential environmental effects 
associated with changing the current regulations on regatta and marine 
parade permitting procedures. In addition, several comments received in 
response to a draft environmental impact statement (EIS) entitled 
``U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Protected Living Marine Resources 
Initiative'' reiterated concerns raised by the comments on the interim 
rule. Based on these comments and on the concerns raised during the 
ongoing consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and 
the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the Coast Guard delayed 
the effective date of the interim rule to January 1, 1998 (61 FR 60027; 
November 26, 1996) to reconsider whether to proceed with a revision of 
the regulations on regatta and marine parade permitting procedures, as 
published, and to complete its consultation with FWS and NMFS. Because 
the Coast Guard has not yet completed its reconsideration and 
consultation with the FWS and NMFS or the required environmental 
documentation, the Coast Guard is delaying the effective date to 
January 1, 1999.
    Accordingly, in FR Doc. 96-16319 published in the Federal Register 
on June 26, 1996, at 61 FR 33027, as amended by the notice of delay 
effective date published on November 26, 1996, at 61 FR 60027, the 
effective date for the referenced interim rule is changed from January 
1, 1998, to January 1, 1999.

    Dated: December 18, 1997.
Ernest R. Riutta,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 97-33682 Filed 12-24-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M