[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 48505-48507]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-16411]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD05-05-097]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Delaware River, 
Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local 
regulations during the ``Liberty Grand Prix'', a power boat race to be 
held on the waters of the Delaware River adjacent to Philadelphia, PA 
and Camden, NJ. 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 between the Walt 
Whitman and Benjamin Franklin bridges in the Delaware River during the 
power boat race.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before September 2, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(oax), Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, 
Virginia 23704-5004, hand-deliver them to Room 119 at the same address 
between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays, or fax them to (757) 398-6203. The Auxiliary and Recreational 
Boating Safety Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District, maintains the public 
docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received from the 
public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be 
available for inspection or copying at the above address between 9 a.m. 
and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dennis Sens, Project Manager, 
Auxiliary and Recreational Boating Safety Branch, at (757) 398-6204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name 
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD05-05-
097), indicate the specific section of this document to which each 
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit 
all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know 
they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or 
envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during 
the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.
    In order to provide notice and an opportunity to comment before 
issuing an effective rule, we are providing a shorter than normal 
comment period. A 15-day comment period is sufficient to allow those 
who might be affected by this rulemaking to submit their comments 
because the regulations have a narrow, local application, and there 
will be local notifications in addition to the Federal Register 
publication such as press releases, marine information broadcasts, and 
the Local Notice to Mariners.

Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for a meeting by writing to the address listed under ADDRESSES 
explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would 
aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by 
a later notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

    On September 24 and 25, 2005, the Offshore Performance Association, 
Inc. will conduct the ``Liberty Grand Prix'', on the waters of the 
Delaware River, between Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New 
Jersey. The event will consist of approximately 40 V-hull and twin-hull 
inboard hydroplanes racing in heats counter-clockwise around a oval 
race course. A fleet of spectator vessels is anticipated to gather 
nearby to view the competition. Due to the need for vessel control 
during the event, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted to 
provide for the safety of participants, spectators and transiting 
vessels.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local 
regulations on specified waters of the Delaware River adjacent to 
Philadelphia, PA and Camden, NJ. The regulated area includes a section 
of the Delaware River approximately two miles long, and bounded in 
width by each shoreline, the course is bounded to the south by the Walt 
Whitman Bridge and bounded to the north by the Benjamin Franklin 
Bridge. The temporary special local regulations will be enforced from 
9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on September 24 and 25, 2005, and will restrict 
general navigation in the regulated area during the power boat race. 
The Coast Guard, at its discretion, when practical will allow the 
passage of vessels when races are not taking place. Except for 
participants and vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol 
Commander, no person or vessel will be allowed to enter or remain in 
the regulated area during the enforcement period. These regulations are 
needed to control vessel traffic during the event to enhance the safety 
of participants, spectators and transiting vessels.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposed 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 the Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS).
    We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies 
and procedures of DHS is unnecessary.
    Although this proposed regulation will prevent traffic from 
transiting a segment of the Delaware River adjacent to Philadelphia, PA 
and Camden, NJ during the event, the effect of this regulation will not 
be significant due to the limited duration that the regulated area will 
be enforced. Extensive advance notifications will be made to the 
maritime community via Local Notice to Mariners, marine information 
broadcasts, area newspapers and local radio stations, so mariners can 
adjust their plans accordingly. Vessel traffic

[[Page 48506]]

will be able to transit the regulated area between heats, when the 
Coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is safe to do so.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this proposed 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 proposed 
rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. This proposed rule would affect the following 
entities, some of which might be small entities: The owners or 
operators of vessels intending to transit this section of the Delaware 
River during the event.
    This proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This 
proposed rule would be in effect for only a limited period. Although 
the regulated area will apply to the entire width of the Delaware River 
between the Walt Whitman and Benjamin Franklin bridges, traffic may be 
allowed to pass through the regulated area with the permission of the 
Coast Guard patrol commander. In the case where the patrol commander 
authorizes passage through the regulated area during the event, vessels 
shall proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course 
that minimizes wake near the race course. Before the enforcement 
period, we will issue maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their 
plans accordingly.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. 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. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small entities 
that question or complain about this rule or any policy or action of 
the Coast Guard.

Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call 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 proposed 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 proposed rule would not result in such an 
expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this 
preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would 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 proposed 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 proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it would not have a substantial 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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards

Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lD, 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 a categorical exclusion under section

[[Page 48507]]

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 that section.
    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. Comments on this 
section will be considered before we make the final decision on whether 
to categorically exclude this rule from further environmental review.

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 proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:

PART 100--SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS

    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.

    2. Add a temporary Sec.  100.35-T05-097 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35-T05-097  Delaware River, Philadelphia, PA, Camden, NJ.

    (a) Regulated area includes all waters of the Delaware River, from 
shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the north by the Benjamin Franklin 
Bridge and bounded to the south by the Walt Whitman Bridge.
    (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 Delaware Bay.
    (2) Official Patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by 
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay with a commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
    (3) Participant includes all vessels participating in the Liberty 
Grand Prix under the auspices of the Marine Event Permit issued to the 
event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard Sector Delaware 
Bay.
    (c) Special local regulations. (1) Except for event participants 
and 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 must stop the 
vessel immediately when directed to do so by any Official Patrol and 
then proceed only as directed.
    (3) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the Official Patrol.
    (4) When authorized to transit the regulated area, all vessels 
shall proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course 
that minimizes wake near the race course.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 9:30 
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on September 24 and 25, 2005.

    Dated: August 5, 2005.
L.L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 05-16411 Filed 8-17-05; 8:45 am]
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