[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 241 (Thursday, December 16, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 70184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-32387]


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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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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is delaying indefinitely 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. 
Delay of the effective date is necessary to allow additional time to 
complete the consultation with the Fish & Wildlife Service and National 
Marine Fisheries and the environmental documentation.

DATES: The interim rule published on June 26, 1996, (61 FR 33027) and 
delayed by documents published on November 26, 1996, (61 FR 60027); 
December 29, 1997, (62 FR 67570); and December 30, 1998, (63 FR 71753) 
is delayed indefinitely.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this action, contact 
Carlton Perry, Project Manager, Office of Boating Safety, Program 
Management Division, by telephone at 202-267-0979 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].
    You may obtain a copy of the interim rule and subsequent notices by 
calling the U.S. Coast Guard Infoline, 1-800-368-5647; by e-mail at 
[email protected]; or by Internet at the Web Site for the 
Office of Boating Safety, 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 
identified 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.
    Accordingly, in FR Document 96-16319 published in the Federal 
Register on June 26, 1996, at 61 FR 33027, and as amended by notices of 
delay of effective date published on November 26, 1996, at 61 FR 60027; 
December 29, 1997, at 62 FR 67570; and December 30, 1998, at 63 FR 
71753, the effective date for the referenced interim rule is delayed 
indefinitely.

    Dated: December 7, 1999.
Ernest R. Riutta,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 99-32387 Filed 12-15-99; 8:45 am]
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