Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, NC, 18424-18426 [E7-6939]

Agencies

• Coast Guard
• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 70 (Thursday, April 12, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 18424-18426]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-6939]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD05-07-027]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; Pasquotank River, 
Elizabeth City, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local 
regulations for the ``Carolina Cup Regatta'', a power boat race to be 
held on the waters of the Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, North 
Carolina. These 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 portions on the Pasquotank River 
adjacent to Elizabeth City, North Carolina during the power boat race.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before May 14, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
Fifth Coast Guard District (dpi), 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, 
Virginia 23704-5004, hand-deliver them to Room 415 at the same address 
between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays, fax them to (757)391-8149, or e-mail them to 
Dennis.M.Sens@uscg.mil. The Inspections and Investigations Branch, 
Fifth Coast Guard District, maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or 
copying at the above address between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CWO Humphrey, Marine Event 
Coordinator, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina at (252)247-4525.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name 
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking [CGD05-07-
027], indicate the specific section of this document to which each 
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit 
all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know 
they reached us, 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.

Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for a meeting by writing to 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.

[[Page 18425]]

Background and Purpose

    On June 9 and 10, 2007, the Virginia Boat Racing Association will 
sponsor the ``Carolina Cup Regatta'', on the waters of the Pasquotank 
River. The event will consist of approximately 60 inboard hydroplanes 
racing in heats counter clockwise around an oval race course. A fleet 
of spectator vessels is anticipated to gather nearby to view the 
competition. Due to the need for vessel control during the event, 
vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted to provide for the safety 
of participants, spectators and transiting vessels.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard purposes to establish temporary special local 
regulations on specified waters on the Pasquotank River adjacent to 
Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The regulated area includes a section 
of the Pasquotank River approximately one mile long and bounded in 
width by each shoreline. This rule would be enforced from 7 a.m. to 7 
p.m. on June 9 and 10, 2007, and would restrict general navigation in 
the regulated area during the power boat race. The Coast Guard, at its 
discretion, when practical would allow the passage of vessels when 
races are not taking place. Except for participants and vessels 
authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel 
would be allowed to enter or remain in the regulated area during the 
enforcement period.

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 
proposed regulation would prevent traffic from transiting a portion of 
the Pasquotank River adjacent to Elizabeth City, North Carolina during 
the event, the effects of this regulation would not be significant due 
to the limited duration that the regulated area would be in effect. 
Extensive advance notifications would be made to the maritime community 
via Local Notice to Mariners, marine information broadcast, and area 
newspapers, so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. Vessel 
traffic would be able to transit the regulated area between heats, 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 proposed rule will affect the following 
entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators 
of vessels intending to transit this section of the Pasquotank River 
during the event.
    This purposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This 
rule will be enforced for only a short period, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on 
June 9 and 10, 2007. The regulated area will apply to a segment of the 
Pasquotank River adjacent to the Elizabeth City waterfront. Marine 
traffic may be allowed to pass through the regulated area with the 
permission of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. In the case where the 
Patrol Commander authorizes passage through the regulated area during 
the event, vessels will be required to proceed at the minimum speed 
necessary to maintain a safe course that minimizes wake near the race 
course. Before the enforcement period, we would 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 Coast Guard at 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 
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.

[[Page 18426]]

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 and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 
5100.1, 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 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, we believe that this rule should 
be 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. Comments on this 
section will be considered before we make the final decision on whether 
to categorically exclude this rule from further environmental review.

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. Add temporary Sec.  100.35-T05-027 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35-T05-027  Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, NC.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area is established for the 
waters of the Pasquotank River, adjacent to Elizabeth City, NC, from 
shoreline to shoreline, bounded on the west by the Elizabeth City Draw 
Bridge and bounded on the east by a line originating at a point along 
the shoreline at latitude 36[deg]17[min]54[sec] N., longitude 
076[deg]12[min]00[sec] W., thence southwesterly to latitude 
36[deg]17[min]35[sec] N., longitude 076[deg]12[min]18[sec] W. at 
Cottage Point. All coordinates reference Datum NAD 1983.
    (b) Definitions. (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 North Carolina.
    (2) Official Patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by 
Commander, Coast Guard Sector North Carolina with a commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
    (3) Participant includes all vessels participating in the 
``Carolina Cup Regatta'' under the auspices of the Marine Event Permit 
issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard 
Sector North Carolina.
    (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 and then proceed only as directed.
    (ii) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of 
the 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 7 a.m. 
to 7 p.m. on June 9 and 10, 2007.

    Dated: March 29, 2007.
Larry L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. E7-6939 Filed 4-11-07; 8:45 am]
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