Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Western Branch, Elizabeth River, Portsmouth, VA, 18120-18122 [E7-6780]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 69 (Wednesday, April 11, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18120-18122]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6780]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD05-07-013]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Western Branch, 
Elizabeth River, Portsmouth, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the regulations for 
the ``Virginia State Hydroplane Championship'' hydroplane races held 
annually on the waters of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River at 
Portsmouth, Virginia. This action is necessary because the event will 
be held on April 21 and 22, 2007, instead of on April 27 and 28, 2007 
as established by permanent regulation. This special local regulation 
is intended to restrict vessel traffic in portions of the Elizabeth 
River and is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable 
waters during the event.

DATES: This rule is effective from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 21 and 22, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket, are part of docket (CGD05-07-013) 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 M. Sens, Project Manager, 
Inspections and Investigations Branch, at (757) 398-6204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    On March 2, 2007, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Western 
Branch, Elizabeth River, Portsmouth, VA in the Federal Register (72 FR 
9477). 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, support craft and other 
vessels transiting the event area. However, advance notifications will 
be made to affected waterway users via marine information broadcasts, 
area newspapers and local radio stations.

Background and Purpose

    On April 21 and 22, 2007, Virginia Boat Racing Association will 
sponsor the ``Virginia State Hydroplane Championship'' hydroplane races 
on the waters of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River at 
Portsmouth, Virginia. The event will consist of approximately 75 
hydroplane powerboats conducting high-speed competitive races on the 
Western Branch of the Elizabeth River in the vicinity of Portsmouth 
City Park,

[[Page 18121]]

Portsmouth, Virginia. A fleet of spectator vessels is expected to 
gather near the event site to view the competition. The regulation at 
33 CFR 100.525 is effective annually for this marine event. Paragraph 
(c) of Section 100.525 establishes the enforcement date for the 
hydroplane races. This regulation temporarily changes the permanent 
regulation so that the event may be held on April 21 and 22, 2007 
instead of the fourth Friday and following Saturday in April. The 
Virginia Boat Racing Association who is the sponsor for this event 
still intends to hold this event annually, however, this year they have 
requested a change in the date of the event for 2007. The change was 
requested to accommodate participation by all hydroplane participants. 
To provide for the safety of participants, spectators, support and 
transiting vessels, the Coast Guard will temporarily restrict vessel 
traffic in the event area during the hydroplane races.

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 Western Branch, Elizabeth River, 
Portsmouth, 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. It is not ``significant'' under the 
regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland 
Security (DHS).
    We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a 
full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies and procedures 
of DHS is unnecessary. The effect of this proposed action merely 
establishes the date on which the existing regulation would be in 
effect and would not impose any new restrictions on vessel traffic.

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 effect the following entities, some of 
which might be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels 
intending to transit or anchor in a portion of the Western Branch of 
the Elizabeth 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 merely change the date on which the existing regulations 
would be enforced in the regulated area and would not impose any new 
restrictions on vessel traffic.

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. 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 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 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

[[Page 18122]]

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 event 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.

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 proposes to 
amend 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. In Sec.  100.525:
0
A. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 21 and 22, 2007, suspend paragraph 
(c); and
0
B. From 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April 21 and 22, 2007, add a new paragraph 
(d) to read as follows:


Sec.  100.525  Western Branch, Elizabeth River, Portsmouth, Virginia.

* * * * *
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8 a.m. 
to 6 p.m. on April 21 and 22, 2007. A notice of enforcement of this 
section will be disseminated through the Fifth Coast Guard District 
Local Notice to Mariners announcing the specific event date and times. 
Notice will also be made via marine Safety Radio Broadcast on VHF-FM 
marine band radio channel 22 (157.1 MHz).

    Dated: March 26, 2007.
Larry L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E7-6780 Filed 4-10-07; 8:45 am]
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