[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 131 (Monday, July 11, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39654-39656]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-13577]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD05-05-074]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Prospect Bay, Kent 
Island Narrows, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local 
regulations during the ``Thunder on the Narrows'' boat races, a marine 
event to be held August 6 and August 7, 2005, on the waters of Prospect 
Bay, near Kent Island Narrows, Maryland. These special local 
regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on 
navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict 
vessel traffic in portions of Prospect Bay during the event.

DATES: This rule is effective from 10:30 a.m. on August 6, 2005, 
through 6:30 p.m. on August 8, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket, are part of docket CGD05-05-074 and are available for 
inspection or copying at Commander (oax), Fifth Coast Guard District, 
431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704-5004, between 9 a.m. 
and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald Houck, Marine Events 
Coordinator, Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore, at (410) 576-
2674.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulatory Information

    We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this 
regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. Publishing an NPRM would be 
contrary to public interest. The event will begin on August 6, 2005. 
Because of the danger posed by high-speed powerboats racing in a closed 
circuit, special local regulations are necessary to provide for the 
safety of event participants, spectator craft and other vessels 
transiting the event area. For the safety concerns noted, it is in the 
public interest to have these regulations in effect during the event.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date would 
be contrary to the public interest, since immediate action is needed to 
ensure the safety of the event participants, spectator craft and other 
vessels transiting the event area in Prospect Bay. However, advance 
notifications will be made to affected users of the river via marine 
information broadcasts and area newspapers.

Background and Purpose

    On August 6 and August 7, 2005, the Kent Narrows Racing Association 
will sponsor the ``Thunder on the Narrows'' powerboat races, on 
Prospect Bay, near Kent Island Narrows, Maryland. The event will 
consist of approximately 75 hydroplanes and jersey speed skiffs racing 
in heats counter-clockwise around an oval racecourse. A large fleet of 
spectator vessels is anticipated. Due to the need for vessel control 
during the races, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted to 
provide for the safety of participants, spectators and transiting 
vessels.

Discussion of Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations 
on specified waters of Prospect Bay near Kent Island Narrows, Maryland. 
The temporary special local regulations will be enforced from 10:30 
a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on August 6, and August 7, 2005. If the races are 
postponed due to weather, then the temporary special local regulations 
will be enforced during the same time period the next day. The effect 
of the temporary special local regulations will be to restrict general 
navigation in the regulated area during the races. Except for persons 
or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or 
vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area. Non-participating 
vessels will be allowed to transit the regulated area between races, 
when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander determines it is safe to do so. 
These regulations are needed to control vessel traffic during the event 
to enhance the safety of participants, spectators and transiting 
vessels.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 
3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does 
not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 
6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not 
reviewed it under that Order. It is not ``significant'' under the 
regulatory policies and procedures of

[[Page 39655]]

the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
    We expect the economic impact of this temporary final rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies 
and procedures of DHS is unnecessary.
    Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting a portion 
of Prospect Bay during the event, the effect of this regulation will 
not be significant due to the limited duration that the regulated area 
will be in effect and the extensive advance notifications that will be 
made to the maritime community via marine information broadcasts and 
area newspapers so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small entities'' 
comprises 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.
    The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will 
not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which 
may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit or anchor in the effected portion of Prospect Bay during the 
event.
    This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This 
rule will be in effect for only a short period. The Patrol Commander 
will allow non-participating vessels to transit the event area between 
races. Before the enforcement period, we will issue maritime advisories 
so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offered to assist small 
entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate 
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. If the 
rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or 
options for compliance, please contact the address listed under 
ADDRESSES.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal 
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory 
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and 
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR 
(1-888-734-3247).

Collection of Information

    This rule calls for no new collection of information under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local 
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial 
direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under 
that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for 
federalism.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 or more in any 
one year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we 
do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule 
is not an economically significant rule and will not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

    This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 
13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, 
because it does not have a substantial and direct effect on one or more 
Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal Government and 
Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities 
between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant 
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies.
    This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 
which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit 
the use of

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a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. 
Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, 
paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, from further environmental 
documentation. Special local regulations issued in conjunction with a 
regatta or marine parade permit are specifically excluded from further 
analysis and documentation under those sections. Under figure 2-1, 
paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, an ``Environmental Analysis 
Check List'' and a ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' are not 
required for this rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 
33 CFR Part 100 as follows:

PART 100--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

0
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233, Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add a temporary Sec.  100.35-T05-074 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35-T05-074  Prospect Bay, Kent Island Narrows, MD.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established for the 
waters of Prospect Bay, adjacent to Kent Island Narrows, Maryland, 
enclosed by a line drawn between the following points: latitude 
38[deg]57'52'' N, longitude 076[deg]14'48'' W, thence southwesterly to 
latitude 38[deg]58'02'' N, longitude 076[deg]15'05'' W, thence 
southeasterly to latitude 38[deg]57'38'' N, longitude 076[deg]15'29'' 
W, thence northeasterly to latitude 38[deg]57'28'' N, longitude 
076[deg]15'23'' W, thence to point of origin. All coordinates reference 
Datum NAD 1983.
    (b) Definitions. (1) Coast Guard Patrol Commander means a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard who has been 
designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore.
    (2) Official Patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by 
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Baltimore with a commissioned, warrant, 
or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
    (c) Special local regulations: (1) Except for persons or vessels 
authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may 
enter or remain in the regulated area.
    (2) The operator of any vessel in the regulated area shall:
    (i) Stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by any 
Official Patrol.
    (ii) Proceed as directed by any Official Patrol.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 10:30 
a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on August 6 and August 7, 2005. If the races are 
postponed due to weather, then the temporary special local regulations 
will be enforced during the same time period the next day.

    Dated: June 26, 2005.
Sally Brice-O'Hara,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 05-13577 Filed 7-8-05; 8:45 am]
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