[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 106 (Monday, June 2, 2008)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 31394-31397]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-12151]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket No. USCG-2008-0392]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Patapsco River, 
Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD

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 ``Pride of Baltimore Recycled Regatta'', a 
marine event to be held August 2, 2008 on the waters of the Patapsco 
River, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD. 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 Baltimore Inner Harbor during the event.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before July 2, 2008.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by Coast Guard docket 
number USCG-2008-0392 to the Docket Management Facility at the U.S. 
Department of Transportation. To avoid duplication, please use only one 
of the following methods:
    (1) Online: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.

[[Page 31395]]

    (3) Hand delivery: Room W12-140 on the Ground Floor of the West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The 
telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    (4) Fax: 202-493-2251.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call Dennis Sens, Project Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District, 
Inspections and Investigations Branch, at (757) 398-6204. If you have 
questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee 
V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted, 
without change, to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. We have an agreement with the 
Department of Transportation (DOT) to use the Docket Management 
Facility. Please see DOT's ``Privacy Act'' paragraph below.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2008-0392), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each 
comment. We recommend that you include your name and a mailing address, 
an e-mail address, or a phone number in the body of your document so 
that we can contact you if we have questions regarding your submission. 
You may submit your comments and material by electronic means, mail, 
fax, or delivery to the Docket Management Facility at the address under 
ADDRESSES; but please submit your comments and material by only one 
means. If you submit them by mail or delivery, submit them in an 
unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. If you submit them by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the Facility, 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.

Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov at 
any time. Enter the docket number for this rulemaking (USCG-2008-0392) 
in the Search box, and click ``Go >>.'' You may also visit either the 
Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
DOT West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, 
between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays; or the Fifth Coast Guard District, Prevention Division, 431 
Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA, 23704 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of all comments received into 
any of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment 
(or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review the Department of 
Transportation's Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register 
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477), or you may visit http://DocketsInfo.dot.gov.

Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one to the Docket Management Facility at the address 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 August 2, 2008, Pride of Baltimore, Inc. will sponsor ``Pride of 
Baltimore Recycled Regatta'' at the Inner Harbor in Baltimore, MD. The 
event will consist of approximately 30 boats built from recycled 
materials attempting to traverse a designated course that extends over 
the water immediately adjacent to the southwest corner of the promenade 
surrounding the Baltimore Inner Harbor. The regulated area originates 
at the southwest corner of the Inner Harbor adjacent to the Maryland 
Science Center and extends outward over the water within an 
approximately 150 yard arc. 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 Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local 
regulations on specified waters of the Patapsco River, Inner Harbor, 
Baltimore, MD. The regulations will be in effect from 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 
p.m. on August 2, 2008. The effect will be to restrict general 
navigation in the regulated area during the event. Except for persons 
or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or 
vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area. Vessel traffic may be 
allowed to transit the regulated area at slow speed when event activity 
is halted, and 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 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.
    We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary.
    Although this regulation will prevent traffic from transiting a 
portion of the Baltimore Inner Harbor 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, and area newspapers, 
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 may be able to transit the regulated area at slow speed 
when event activity is halted, 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

[[Page 31396]]

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 or anchor in the affected 
portion of the Baltimore Inner Harbor during the event.
    Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting a small 
segment of the Baltimore Inner Harbor 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. Vessel traffic may be 
able to transit the regulated area when event activity is halted, 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.
    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 (Pub. L. 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 
made a preliminary determination that this action is not likely to have 
a significant effect on the human environment. We seek any comments or 
information that may lead to the discovery of a significant 
environmental impact from this proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

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

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows:

PART 100--REGATTAS AND MARINE PARADES

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

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233.


[[Page 31397]]


    2. Add a temporary Sec.  100.35-T05-0392 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35-T05-0392  Patapsco River, Inner Harbor, Baltimore, MD.

    (a) 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 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.
    (3) Participant includes all vessels participating in the Pride of 
Baltimore Recycled Regatta under the auspices of a Marine Event Permit 
issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard 
Sector Baltimore.
    (4) Regulated area includes the waters of the Patapsco River, 
Baltimore, MD, Inner Harbor within the immediate vicinity of the 
southwest corner of the harbor adjacent to the Maryland Science Center. 
The area is bounded on the south and west by the shoreline promenade, 
bounded on the north by a line drawn along latitude 
39[deg]16[min]58[sec] North and bounded on the east by a line drawn 
along longitude 076[deg]36[min]36.5[sec] West. All coordinates 
reference Datum NAD 1983.
    (b) 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 event area.
    (c) Effective period. This section will be enforced from 2:30 p.m. 
to 9:30 p.m. on August 2, 2008.

    Dated: May 20, 2008.
Fred M. Rosa, Jr.,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E8-12151 Filed 5-30-08; 8:45 am]
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