[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 6141-6142]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-2983]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 110

[CGD01-97-014]
RIN 2115-AA98


Special Anchorage Area: Groton, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to extend the boundaries of the 
special anchorage area currently existing off Groton, Connecticut, 
between Pine Island and Avery Point. This action is taken at the 
request of the City of Groton, and is intended to make space available 
within the special anchorage area for approximately 20 additional 
moorings.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 7, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander, Aids to Navigation 
Branch, First Coast Guard District, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, 
Massachusetts 02110-3350.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LT Matthew Stuck, Aids to Navigation Branch, First Coast Guard 
District, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110-3350, (617) 
223-8347.

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 (CGD01-97-014) and the specific section of 
this proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for 
each comment. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments 
should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. Comments 
should be submitted to the address under ADDRESSES.
    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; however, persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Signals Management Section at the 
address under ADDRESSES. If it is determined 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 later notice in the 
Federal Register.

Discussion of Proposed Rules

    The proposed rule is in response to a request made by the City of 
Groton to accommodate the increased number of vessels mooring in this 
area. The proposed rule would expand the existing special anchorage 
near Groton, Connecticut, described in 33 CFR 110.51, to allow its use 
by approximately 20 additional boats. Vessels not more than 65 feet in 
length when at anchor in any special anchorage shall not be required to 
carry or exhibit the white anchor lights required by the Navigation 
Rules. The proposed rule would provide approximately twenty additional 
moorings in which vessel owners may enjoy the convenience of a special 
anchorage. The existing anchorage, located near Pine Island and Avery 
Point, is split into two areas by a 210-foot wide fairway channel. The 
proposed change would reduce the width of the existing fairway to 
approximately 135 feet and extend the western boundary of the southern 
section of the anchorage by 75 feet. The note following section 33 CFR 
110.51 would be updated to indicate the decrease in fairway channel 
width.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposed 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 not been reviewed 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 Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10(e) of 
the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. No person 
will be required to spend any money in order to comply with this 
regulation. The proposed regulation will exempt persons operating in 
the expanded area from complying with the more stringent vessel 
lighting regulations they would ordinarily be obliged to follow.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard considers 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 fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000. For the reasons discussed in the 
Regulatory Evaluation section above, the Coast Guard expects that this 
proposed rule, if adopted, will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities. If, however, you think that your 
business or organization qualifies as a small entity and that this 
proposed rule will have a significant economic impact on your business 
or organization, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why 
you think it qualifies and in what way and to what degree this proposed 
rule will economically affect it.

Collection of Information

    This proposed rule contains no collection of information 
requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501, 
et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposed rule under the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has 
determined that this proposed rule does not have sufficient 
implications for federalism to warrant

[[Page 6142]]

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
proposed rule and concluded that under Section 2.B.2.e. of Coast Guard 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B that this rule is categorically 
excluded from further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical 
Exclusion Determination'' and Environmental Analysis Checklist are 
available in the docket for inspection and copying where indicated 
under ADDRESSES in this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 110

    Anchorage grounds.

Proposed Regulation

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 110 as follows:

PART 110--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 110 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 471, 2071; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 1.05-
1(g). Section 110.1a and each section listed in it are also issued 
under 33 U.S.C. 1223 and 1231.

    2. Section 110.51, is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 110.51  Groton, Conn.

    The waters between an unnamed cove and Pine Island.
    (a) Beginning at a point on the shoreline of Avery Point at a 
latitude 41 deg.19'01.4'', longitude 072 deg.03'42.8''; thence to a 
point in the cove at latitude 41 deg.19'02.5'', longitude 
72 deg.03'36.2'' thence southeasterly to a point at latitude 
41 deg.18'56.2'', longitude 072 deg.03'34.2''; thence northeasterly to 
latitude 41 deg.19'02.5'', longitude 072 deg.03'19.2''; thence 
terminating at the tip of Jupiter Point at latitude 41 deg.19'04.4'', 
longitude 072 deg.03'19.7''. DATUM: NAD 83
    (b) Beginning at a point on the shoreline of Pine Island at 
latitude 41 deg.18'47.1'', longitude 072 deg.03'36.8''; thence 
northerly to latitude 41 deg.18'54.1'', longitude 072 deg.03'35.4''; 
thence northeasterly to a point at latitude 41 deg.19'01.2'', longitude 
072 deg.03'19.3''; thence terminating at a point at latitude 
41 deg.18'54.0'', longitude 072 deg.03'17.5''. DATUM: NAD 83

    Note: The areas designated by (a) and (b) are principally for 
the use of recreational vessels. Vessels shall be anchored so that 
no part of the vessel obstructs the 135 foot wide channel. Temporary 
floats or buoys for marking the location of the anchor of a vessel 
at anchor may be used. Fixed mooring pilings or stakes are 
prohibited.

    Dated: December 19, 1997.
R.M. Larrabee,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-2983 Filed 2-5-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M