[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 99 (Monday, May 23, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29640-29642]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12373]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0126]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Chester River, 
Chestertown, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations 
during the reenactment portion of the ``Chestertown Tea Party 
Festival,'' a marine event to be held on the waters of the Chester 
River, Chestertown, MD on May 28, 2011. 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 Chester River during the event.

DATES: This rule is effective from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 28, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
are part of docket USCG-2011-0126 and are available online by going to 
http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0126 in the ``Keyword'' 
box, and then clicking ``Search.'' This material is also available for 
inspection or copying at the 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, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary rule, call or e-mail Mr. Ronald Houck, Sector Baltimore 
Waterways Management Division, Coast Guard; telephone 410-576-2674, e-
mail [email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    On March 21, 2011, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled ``Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Chester 
River, Chestertown, MD'' in the Federal Register (76 FR 54). We 
received no

[[Page 29641]]

comments 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. Due to the need for immediate 
action, the restriction of vessel traffic is necessary to protect life, 
property and the environment against the hazards associated with a 
large number of spectator vessels operating on navigable waters in the 
immediate vicinity of the event's participating vessels. Such hazards 
include injuries or death caused by vessel collisions, capsizings and 
sinkings, navigational obstructions, damage to watercraft and 
waterfront property, and oil pollution in the environment. Therefore, a 
30-day notice is contrary to the public interest. Delaying the 
effective date would be contrary to the regulated area's intended 
objectives of protecting persons and vessels involved in the event, and 
enhancing public and maritime safety. In addition, delaying the 
effective date is unnecessary. This regulation has generated very 
little public interest and affects a very limited section of the 
waterway for less than a full day. During the comment period for this 
event (and a similar event in 2010, docket number [USCG-2010-0081]), 
zero comments were received.

Basis and Purpose

    On May 28, 2011, the Chestertown Tea Party Festival will sponsor a 
reenactment in the Chester River at Chestertown, MD. The key component 
of the event consists of the Schooner SULTANA departing from its berth 
in Chestertown, transiting 200 yards to an anchorage location, 
embarking and disembarking Tea Party actors by dinghy, and then 
returning to its berth. 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 received no comments in response to the NPRM. No 
public meeting was requested and none was held.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this 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 rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, as 
supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential 
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or 
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and 
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. Although this regulation 
will prevent traffic from transiting a portion of the Chester 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 and marine 
information broadcasts, 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 safely around 
the regulated area.

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 may 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 Chester River 
during the event.
    Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting a portion 
of the Chester River at Chestertown, MD during the event, this rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities for the following reasons. This rule will be in effect 
for only a limited period. The regulated area is of limited size. 
Vessel traffic will be able to transit safely 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), in the NPRM 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.
    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 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 (adjusted for 
inflation) 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 cause a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and

[[Page 29642]]

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, 
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 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 concluded 
this action is one of a category of actions that do not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This 
rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of 
the Instruction. This rule involves implementation of regulations 
within 33 CFR Part 100 applicable to organized marine events on the 
navigable waters of the United States that could negatively impact the 
safety 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, canoe and sail board racing. An environmental analysis 
checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are available in 
the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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 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.


0
2. Add a temporary section, Sec.  100.35-T05-0126, to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35-T05-0126  Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; 
Chester River, Chestertown, MD.

    (a) Regulated area. The following locations are regulated areas: 
All waters of the Chester River, within a line connecting the following 
positions: Latitude 39[deg]12'27'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'46'' W; 
thence to latitude 39[deg]12'19'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'53'' W; 
thence to latitude 39[deg]12'25'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'41'' W; 
thence to latitude 39[deg]12'16'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'48'' W; 
thence to the point of origin at latitude 39[deg]12'27'' N, longitude 
076[deg]03'46'' W, located at Chestertown, Maryland. All coordinates 
reference Datum NAD 1983.
    (b) Definitions: (1) Coast Guard Patrol Commander means a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. 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.
    (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 the Coast 
Guard Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol.
    (ii) Proceed as directed by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander or any 
Official Patrol.
    (d) Enforcement period: (1) This section will be enforced from 10 
a.m. until 5 p.m. on May 28, 2011.
    (2) The Coast Guard will publish a notice in the Fifth Coast Guard 
District Local Notice to Mariners and issue marine information 
broadcast on VHF-FM marine band radio announcing specific event date 
and times.

    Dated: May 4, 2011.
Mark P. O'Malley,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Baltimore, Maryland.
[FR Doc. 2011-12373 Filed 5-20-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P