[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 63 (Thursday, April 2, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 16179-16180]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-8260]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD11-98-001]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulations; Parker International Waterski Marathon

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to amend the table of events by 
adding the Parker International Waterski Marathon conducted on the 
navigable waters of the Colorado River beginning at Bluewater Marina in 
Parker, AZ, and extending approximately 10 miles south to La Paz County 
Park, on the following dates: annually, commencing on the second full 
weekend of March every year, and lasting a total of 2 days. The Special 
Local Regulations applicable to this event are necessary to provide for 
the safety of life, property, and navigation on the navigable waters of 
the United States during scheduled events.

DATES: Comments should be received on or before May 18, 1998.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to Lieutenant Mike A. Arguelles, U.S. 
Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, 2716 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, 
California 92101, or deliver them to the same address between 8 a.m. 
and 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, except holidays. The telephone number 
is (619) 683-6484.
    The Marine Safety Office maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments, and any documents referenced in this preamble, 
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection 
and copying at the Marine Safety Office between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lieutenant Mike A. Arguelles, U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, 
2716 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, California 92101. The telephone 
number is (619) 683-6484.

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 name and address, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD11-98-001) and the specific section of 
this document to which each

[[Page 16180]]

comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit 
two copies of all comments and attachments in an unbound format 
suitable for copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting 
acknowledgement of receipt of comment should enclose stamped, self-
addressed postcards or envelopes.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this proposed rule in view of the 
comments.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Marine Safety Office at the address 
under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a hearing 
would be beneficial. If it determines that the opportunity for oral 
presentation 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.

Background and Purpose

    The Parker International Waterski Marathon will consist of various 
waterski activities. The event will take place, annually, over a two 
day period commencing on the second full weekend of March. The special 
local regulations applicable to this event are necessary to provide for 
the safety of life, property, and navigation on the navigable waters of 
the United States during scheduled events.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The course of the event is approximately 10 miles long and 
encompasses the entire water area of the Colorado River from Bluewater 
Marina in Parker, AZ, south to La Paz County Park. The course will be 
marked by buoys and sponsor vessels to alert non-participants. On the 
following days and times, the race zone will be in use by vessels 
competing in the event: annually, commencing on the second full weekend 
of March every year, and lasting a total of 2 days, from 8 AM until 5 
PM (PST) each day. During these times the Colorado River from Bluewater 
Marina in Parker, AZ, south to La Paz County Park will be closed to all 
traffic with the exception of emergency vessels. No vessels other than 
participants, official patrol vessels, or emergency vessels will be 
allowed to enter into, transit through, or anchor within this zone 
unless specifically cleared by or through an official patrol vessel.
    Pursuant to 33 CFR Sec. 100.1101(b)(3), Commander, Coast Guard 
Activities San Diego, is designated Patrol Commander for this event; he 
has the authority to delegate this responsibility to any commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard. Once the zone is 
established, authorization to remain within the zone is subject to 
termination by the Patrol Commander at any time. The Patrol Commander 
may impose other restrictions within the zone if the circumstances 
dictate. Restrictions will be tailored to impose the least impact on 
maritime interests yet provide the level of security deemed necessary 
to safely conduct the event.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require assessment 
of potential cost 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 
regulation to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under 
paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of the 
Department of Transportation is unnecessary.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposed rule will have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
``Small entities'' may include small businesses and not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations less than 50,000.
    Because it expects the impact of this proposal to be so minimal, 
the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the Regulatory 
Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Sec. 601 et seq.) that this proposal, if 
adopted, will not have a substantial impact on a significant number of 
small entities. If, however, you think that your business or 
organization qualifies as a small entity and 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 (44 U.S.C. Sec. 3501 et. 
seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposed rule under the 
principles and criteria in Executive Order 12612 and has determined 
that this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
regulation and concluded that under paragraph 2.B.2 of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B, it will have no significant environmental impact 
and it is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination and Environmental 
Analysis Checklist are included in the docket.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Regattas, Marine Parades.

Proposed Regulation

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR Part 100, section 100.1102, as follows:

PART 100--MARINE EVENTS

    1. The authority citation for Part 100 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233 through 1236; 49 CFR 1.46; 33 CFR 
100.35.

    2. In Sec. 100.1102, Table 1 is amended by adding an entry for the 
Parker International Waterski Marathon immediately following the last 
entry to read as follows:


Sec. 100.1102  Marine Events on the Colorado River, between Davis Dam 
(Bullhead City, Arizona) and Headgate Dam (Parker, Arizona).

* * * * *
Parker International Waterski Marathon
    Sponsor: Parker International Waterski Association
    Dates: Annually, commencing on the second full weekend of March 
every year, and lasting a total of 2 days, from 8 AM (PST) until 5 PM 
(PST) each day.
    Location: The entire water area of the Colorado River beginning at 
Bluewater Marina in Parker, AZ, and extending approximately 10 miles 
south to La Paz County Park.

    Dated: March 11, 1998.
J. C. Card,
Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 98-8260 Filed 4-1-98; 8:45 am]
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