[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 64 (Monday, April 5, 2010)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17103-17106]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-7573]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket No. USCG-2010-0113]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulation for Marine Event; Temporary Change of 
Dates for Recurring Marine Event in the Fifth Coast Guard District

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the enforcement 
period of special local regulations for recurring marine event in the 
Fifth Coast Guard District. These regulations apply to only one 
recurring marine event that conducts swimming competitions. 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 a portion of the Chester River, near Chestertown, MD 
during the event.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before May 5, 2010.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2010-0113 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) 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.
    (4) Hand Delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call Mr. Ronald L. Houck, Project Manager, Coast Guard Sector 
Baltimore Waterways Management Division, at 410-576-2674 or e-mail at 
[email protected]. 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.

Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2010-0113), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online (via http://www.regulations.gov) or by fax, mail, or hand 
delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a 
comment online via http://www.regulations.gov, it will be considered 
received by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. 
If you fax, hand delivery, or mail your comment, it will be considered 
as having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the 
Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and 
a mailing address, an e-mail address, or a telephone number in the body 
of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become 
highlighted in blue. In the ``Document Type'' drop down menu select 
``Proposed Rule'' and insert ``USCG-2010-0113'' in the ``Keyword'' box. 
Click ``Search'' then click on the balloon shape in the ``Actions'' 
column. If you submit your comments by mail or hand 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 comments 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 and may change 
the rule based on your comments.

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, 
click on the ``read comments'' box, which will then become highlighted 
in blue. In the ``Keyword'' box insert USCG-2010-0113 and click 
``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column. 
You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on 
the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an 
agreement with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket 
Management Facility.

Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of 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 a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008 issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one using one of the four methods specified under 
ADDRESSES. Please explain why you believe a public meeting 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

    Marine events are frequently held on the navigable waters within 
the boundary of the Fifth Coast Guard District. The on water activities 
that typically comprise marine events include sailing regattas, power 
boat races, swim races and holiday parades. For a description of the 
geographical area of each Coast Guard Sector--Captain of the Port Zone, 
please see 33 CFR 3.25.
    This regulation proposes to temporarily change the enforcement 
period of special local regulations for recurring marine events within 
the Fifth Coast Guard District. This proposed regulation applies to one 
marine event

[[Page 17104]]

previously published at 33 CFR 100.501, Table to Sec.  100.501.
    Annually, the District of Columbia Aquatics Club sponsors the 
``Maryland Swim for Life'', on the waters of the Chester River near 
Chestertown, MD. The regulation at 33 CFR 100.501 is effective annually 
for the Maryland Swim for Life marine event. The event is an open water 
swimming competition held on the waters of the Chester River, near 
Chestertown, Maryland. Approximately 150 swimmers will start from 
Rolph's Wharf and swim up-river 2.5 miles then swim down-river 
returning back to Rolph's Wharf. A large fleet of support vessels 
accompany the swimmers. Therefore, to ensure the safety of participants 
and support vessels, 33 CFR 100.501 would be enforced for the duration 
of the event. Under provisions of 33 CFR 100.501, from 5:30 a.m. to 
2:30 p.m. on July 10, 2010, vessels may not enter the regulated area 
unless they receive permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. 
Vessel traffic may be allowed to transit the regulated area only when 
the Patrol Commander determines it is safe to do so.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily amend the regulations at 33 
CFR 100.501 by changing the date of enforcement for an event in the 
table to Sec.  100.501. To do this, the Coast Guard proposes to 
temporarily suspend even number 21 and add a temporary event number 60 
with the same event name, sponsor and location, but a different date. 
The event being changed is the annual ``Maryland Swim for Life,'' 
described below.

Chester River, Chestertown, MD

    The Table to Sec.  100.501, event No. 21 establishes the 
enforcement date for the Maryland Swim for Life. This regulation 
proposes to temporarily change the enforcement date from ``June--3rd 
Saturday or July--3rd Saturday'' to the second Saturday in July, 
holding this year's marine event on July 10, 2010. The District of 
Columbia Aquatics Club, which is the sponsor for this event, intends to 
hold this event annually; however, they have changed the date of the 
event for 2010 so that it is outside the scope of the existing 
enforcement period. Due to the need for vessel control while swimmers 
are in the water along the Chester River, vessel traffic would be 
temporarily restricted to provide for the safety of participants, 
spectators and transiting vessels.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Regulatory Planning and Review

    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.
    Although this proposed rule prevents traffic from transiting a 
portion of certain waterways during specified events, 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, so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. 
Additionally, this rulemaking does not change the permanent regulated 
areas that have been published in 33 CFR 100.501, Table to Sec.  
100.501. In some cases vessel traffic may be able to transit the 
regulated area 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 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 area where 
the marine event is being held. This regulation will not have a 
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because it 
will be enforced only during marine events that have been permitted by 
the Coast Guard Captain of the Port. The Captain of the Port will 
ensure that small entities are able to operate in the areas where 
events are occurring when it is safe to do so. In some cases, vessels 
will be able to safely transit around the regulated area at various 
times, and, with the permission of the Patrol Commander, vessels may 
transit through the regulated area. Before the enforcement period, the 
Coast Guard 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 individual listed under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT at the beginning of this rule. The Coast 
Guard will not retaliate against small entities that question or 
complain about this proposed 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

[[Page 17105]]

$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 Department of Homeland 
Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lD, which guide 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 one of a 
category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a 
significant effect on the human environment. This rule involves 
implementation of regulations within 33 CFR part 100 that apply to 
organized marine events on the navigable waters of the United States 
that may have potential for negative impact on the safety or other 
interest of waterway users and shore side activities in the event area. 
The category of water activities includes but is not limited to sail 
boat regattas, boat parades, power boat racing, swimming events, crew 
racing, and sail board racing. 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. 
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, 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.

    2. In Sec.  100.501, suspend line No. 21 in the Table to Sec.  
100.501 from July 1, 2010 until September 1, 2010.
    3. In Sec.  100.501, from July 1, 2010 to July 20, 2010, add line 
No. 60 in Table to Sec.  100.501; to read as follows:


Sec.  100.501-T05-0113  Special Local Regulations; Recurring Marine 
Event in the Fifth Coast Guard District.

* * * * *
    Table to Sec.  100.501--All coordinates listed in the Table to 
Sec.  100.501 reference Datum NAD 1983.

                                     Coast Guard Sector Baltimore--COTP Zone
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       Number                Date                  Event                Sponsor                 Location
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                                                  * * * * * * *
60.................  July 10, 2010.......  Maryland Swim for     District of Columbia  The waters of the Chester
                                            Life.                 Aquatics Club.        River from shoreline to
                                                                                        shoreline, bounded on
                                                                                        the south by a line
                                                                                        drawn at latitude
                                                                                        39[deg]10'16'' N, near
                                                                                        the Chester River
                                                                                        Channel Buoy 35 (LLN-
                                                                                        26795) and bounded on
                                                                                        the north at latitude
                                                                                        39[deg]12'30'' N by the
                                                                                        Maryland S.R. 213
                                                                                        Highway Bridge.
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[[Page 17106]]

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    Dated: February 26, 2010.
Mark P. O'Malley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Baltimore, MD.
[FR Doc. 2010-7573 Filed 4-2-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P