[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 89 (Monday, May 10, 1999)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24980-24981]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-11687]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD07-99-019]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulations; Charleston Harbor Grand Prix, 
Charleston, SC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local 
regulations in the coastal waters off Isle of Palms, SC, for the 
Charleston Harbor Grand Prix, sponsored by Charleston Harbor Maritime 
Associates, LLC. The two day race will occur on August 14 and 15, 1999, 
between the hours of 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. each day, Eastern Daylight time 
(EDT) offshore Isle of Palms. The regulations are necessary to provide 
for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 9, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Group 
Charleston, 196 Tradd Street, Charleston, SC 29401, or may be delivered 
to the Operations Office at the same address between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 
p.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (843) 724-7628.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LTJG S.S. Brisco, (843) 724-7628, 
Project Manager, Coast Guard Group Charleston, SC.

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 (GGD07-99-019) and the specific section of 
this proposal to which each

[[Page 24981]]

comment applies, and give a reason for each comment.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this proposal in the view of the 
comments. The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request 
a public hearing by writing to the address under ADDRESSES. The request 
should include the reasons why a hearing would be beneficial. If the 
Coast Guard determines that the opportunity for oral presentation will 
aid this rulemaking, it will hold a public hearing at the time and 
place announced by a notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

    The proposed regulations are needed to provide for the safety of 
life during the Charleston Harbor Grand Prix. These proposed 
regulations are intended to promote safe navigation offshore Isle of 
Palms immediately before, during, and after the races by controlling 
the traffic entering, exiting, and transiting within the regulated 
area. The anticipated concentration of spectator vessels and 
participating vessels associated with the race poses a safety concern, 
which is addressed in these proposed special local regulations.
    The proposed regulations will encompass an area north of the 
Charleston Harbor entrance lighted buoy 7 (LLNR 2405) with four (4) 
conspicuous markers indicating the corners of the regulated area. These 
proposed regulations would prohibit the entry or movement of spectator 
vessels and other non-participating vessel traffic within the regulated 
area on August 14 and 15, 1999, between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day or 
at the discretion of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposal 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 the order. The 
Office of Management and Budget has exempted it from review 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. The proposed regulation will only be in effect for five 
(5) hours each day in a limited area off Charleston Harbor.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal will have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small 
Entities'' include small business, 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.
    Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that 
this proposed rule, if adopted, will not have a significant effect upon 
a substantial number of small entities because this regulation will 
only be in effect in a limited area off Charleston Harbor for five (5) 
hours on two separate days.
    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 proposal contains no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and it has been determined 
that the 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 under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(h) of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, that this proposed rule is 
categorically excluded from further environmental documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways. Proposed Regulations: In consideration of the 
foregoing, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 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. Add Sec. 100.35T-07-019 to read as follows:


Sec. 100.35T-07-019; Charleston Harbor Grand Prix; Charleston, SC.

    (a) Definitions:
    (1) Regulated area. The regulated area includes all waters in the 
Atlantic Ocean north of Charleston Harbor entrance lighted buoy 7 (LLNR 
2405) bounded by the following 4 points:
    (i) 32 deg.48'538''N, 079 deg.43'352''W;
    (ii) 32 deg.47'279''N, 079 deg.42'390''W;
    (iii) 32 deg.45'156''N, 079 deg.47'740''W;
    (iv) 32 deg.46'608''N, 079 deg.48'146''W; All coordinates reference 
Datum NAD: 83. Four (4) conspicuous markers will indicate the corners 
of the regulated area.
    (2) Spectator area. Spectators vessels are required to remain 
seaward of a line drawn from 32 deg.45'181''N, 079 deg.46'765''W to 
32 deg.46'557''N, 079 deg.43'420''W.
    (3) 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 Commander, Coast Guard Group Charleston, South 
Carolina.
    (b) Special local regulations. (1) No person or vessel may enter, 
transit, or remain in the regulated area unless participating in the 
event or authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.
    (2) The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may delay, modify, or cancel 
the race as conditions or circumstances require.
    (3) Spectator and other non-participating vessels may watch the 
participants on the seaward side of the racecourse maintaining a 
minimum distance of 500 yards behind the markers. Upon the completion 
of the last race all vessels may resume normal operations.
    (c) Dates. These regulations become effectice at 11 a.m. and 
terminate at 4 p.m. EDT each day on August 14 and 15, 1999.

    Dated: April 29, 1999.
G.W. Sutton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 99-11687 Filed 5-7-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M