[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 117 (Tuesday, June 19, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 33677-33679]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11756]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD05-07-031]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; York River, 
Yorktown, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations 
during the ``Watermen's Heritage Festival Workboat Races'', a marine 
event to be held July 15, 2007 on the waters of the York River, 
Yorktown, 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 temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a 
portion of the York River during the event.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on July 15, 
2007.

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 (CGD05-07-031) and are available for inspection or 
copying at Commander (dpi), 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 Sens, Project Manager, Fifth 
Coast Guard District, Inspections and Investigations Branch, at (757) 
398-6204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    On April 12, 2007, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; York 
River, Yorktown, VA in the Federal Register (72 FR 18422). We 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 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. However, advance notifications will 
be made to affected waterway users via marine information broadcasts, 
local radio stations, and area newspapers.

Background and Purpose

    On July 15, 2007, the Watermen's Museum of Yorktown, VA will 
sponsor ``Watermen's Heritage Festival Workboat Races'' on the York 
River, immediately adjacent and north of the shoreline at Yorktown 
River Cliffs. The event will consist of approximately 40 traditional 
Chesapeake Bay deadrise workboats racing along a marked straight line 
race course in heats of 2 to 4 boats for a distance of approximately 
1000 yards. Due to the need for vessel control during the event, the 
Coast Guard will temporarily restrict vessel traffic in the event area 
to provide for the safety of participants, spectators and other 
transiting vessels.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    The Coast Guard did not receive comments 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 the York River, near Yorktown, 
Virginia.

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.
    Although this regulation will prevent traffic from transiting a 
portion of the York River 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 the Local 
Notice to Mariners, marine information broadcasts, area newspapers and 
local radio stations, so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. 
Additionally, the regulated area has been narrowly tailored to impose 
the least impact on general navigation yet provide the level of safety 
deemed necessary. Vessel traffic will be able to transit the regulated 
area at slow speed between heats, when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander 
deems it is safe to do so. In many cases vessel traffic will be able to 
transit around the regulated using the marked navigation channel along 
the York River.

[[Page 33678]]

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 
would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities. This rule would affect the following entities, some of 
which might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels 
intending to transit or anchor in the effected portions of the York 
River during the event.
    Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting a portion 
of the York River during the event, this rule would not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities 
for the following reasons. This rule would be in effect for only a 
limited period. Vessel traffic will be able to transit the regulated 
area between heats, when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is 
safe to do so. 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 this rule so that they can better evaluate 
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking.
    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). 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 rule would cll 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 would not result in such an expenditure, we 
do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This 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 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 would not create an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
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 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 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 
and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 5100.1, 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 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.

[[Page 33679]]

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--REGATTAS AND MARINE PARADES

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

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233.


0
2. Add a temporary Sec.  100.35-T05-031 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35-T05-031  York River, Yorktown, VA.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area includes the waters of the 
York River, Yorktown, Virginia, bounded on the west by a line drawn 
along longitude 076[deg]31'30'' West, bounded on the east by a line 
drawn along longitude 076[deg]30'50'' West, bounded on the south by the 
shoreline and bounded on the north by a line drawn parallel and 400 
yards north of the southern shoreline. All coordinates reference Datum 
NAD 1983.
    (b) Definitions. The following definitions apply to this section:
    (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 to act on their behalf.
    (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 
Watermen's Heritage Festival Workboat races under the auspices of a 
Marine Event Permit issued to the event sponsor and approved by 
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads.
    (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 shall:
    (i) Stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by any 
Official Patrol.
    (ii) Proceed as directed by any 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 5:30 p.m. on July 15, 2007.

    Dated: May 23, 2007.
Larry L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E7-11756 Filed 6-18-07; 8:45 am]
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