[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 71753-71754]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-34442]


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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.

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[[Page 71754]]

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 that require a permit, those that require only written 
notice to the Coast Guard, and those that require neither. A change in 
the effective date from January 1, 1999, to January 2, 2000, 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 documents published on November 26, 1996 (61 FR 
60027), and December 29, 1997 (62 FR 67507), is effective on January 2, 
2000.

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 http://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 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 that require a permit, those that require only 
written notice to the Coast Guard, and those that require neither. The 
environmental assessment and proposed finding of no significant impact 
that 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. Because the Coast Guard has not 
yet completed its consultation with the FWS and NMFS or the required 
environmental documentation, the Coast Guard is delaying the effective 
date to January 2, 2000.
    Accordingly, in FR Doc. 96-16319 published in the Federal Register 
on June 26, 1996, at 61 FR 33027, as amended by notices of delay of 
effective date published on November 26, 1996, at 61 FR 60027 and 
December 29, 1997, at 62 FR 67570, the effective date for the 
referenced interim rule is changed from January 1, 1999, to January 2, 
2000.

    Dated: December 21, 1998.
Ernest R. Riutta,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 98-34442 Filed 12-29-98; 8:45 am]
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