[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 202 (Thursday, October 20, 2005)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 61032-61034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-21017]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD05-05-098]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Willoughby Bay, 
Norfolk, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local 
regulations for ``Hampton Roads Sailboard Classic'', a marine event to 
be held on the waters of Willoughby Bay, Norfolk, Virginia. 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 Willoughby Bay during the event.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 a.m. on October 29, 2005 to 5 p.m. 
on October 30, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
are part of docket CGD05-05-098 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: Dennis M. Sens, Project Manager, 
Auxiliary and Recreational Boating Safety Branch, at (757) 398-6204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    On September 2, 2005, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled ``Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; 
Willoughby Bay, Norfolk, VA'' in the Federal Register (70 FR 52338). We

[[Page 61033]]

received no letters commenting on the proposed rule. No public meeting 
was requested, and none was held.
    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 its effective date would 
be contrary to public interest, since immediate action is needed to 
protect event participants, spectator craft and other vessels 
transiting the event area from the dangers of high-speed power boats 
racing. However advance notifications will be made to affected waterway 
users via marine information broadcasts, local radio stations and area 
newspapers.

Background and Purpose

    On October 29 and 30, 2005, the Windsurfing Enthusiasts of 
Tidewater will sponsor the ``Hampton Roads Sailboard Classic'', on the 
waters of Willoughby Bay, Norfolk, Virginia. The event will consist of 
approximately 30 sailboards racing in heats along several courses 
within Willoughby Bay. Spectator vessels are anticipated to gather near 
the event site to view the competition. To provide for the safety of 
event participants, spectators and transiting vessels during the event, 
the Coast Guard will temporarily restrict vessel movement in the event 
area during the sailboard races.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    No comments were received in response to the notice of proposed 
rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register. Accordingly, the 
Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations on 
specified waters of Willoughby Bay. Since no comments were received, no 
changes to this regulation were made.

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 the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS).
    We expect the economic impact of this temporary 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 segment 
of Willoughby Bay during the event, the impact 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, local 
radio stations 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 this section of Willoughby Bay during the event.
    This rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. 
Transiting vessels will be able to safely navigate around the regulated 
area. 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. 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.
    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 does 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,

[[Page 61034]]

because it does 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 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.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 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 event 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.


0
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 temporary Sec.  100.35-T05-098 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35-T05-098,  Willoughby Bay, Norfolk, Virginia.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established for the 
waters of Willoughby Bay contained within the following coordinates:

Latitude                             Longitude
 
36[deg]58'36.0'' North               076[deg]18'42.0'' West
36[deg]58'00.0'' North               076[deg]18'00.0'' West
36[deg]57'49.0'' North               076[deg]18'14.0'' West
36[deg]57'36.0'' North               076[deg]17'55.0'' West
36[deg]57'26.0'' North               076[deg]18'06.0'' West
36[deg]58'15.0'' North               076[deg]19'08.0'' West
36[deg]58'36.0'' North               076[deg]18'42.0'' West
 


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 Hampton Roads.
    (2) Official Patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by 
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads with a commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
    (3) Participant includes all vessels participating in the Hampton 
Roads Sailboard Classic under the auspices of the Marine Event Permit 
issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard 
Sector Hampton Roads.
    (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 must:
    (i) Stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by any 
Official Patrol and then proceed only as directed.
    (ii) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the Official Patrol.
    (iii) 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 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. on October 29 and 30, 2005.

    Dated: October 11, 2005.
S. Ratti,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, 
Acting.
[FR Doc. 05-21017 Filed 10-19-05; 8:45 am]
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