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[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 67 (Monday, April 9, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 17456-17458]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-1621]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD05-07-029]
RIN 1625-AA08

Special Local Regulation for Marine Events; Roanoke River, 
Plymouth, North Carolina

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 ``Plymouth Drag Boat Race Series'', a series of 
power boat races to be held on the waters of the Roanoke River, 
Plymouth, 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 of the 
Roanoke River adjacent to Plymouth, North Carolina during the power 
boat race.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before May 9, 2007.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(dpi), Fifth Coast Guard District, 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 
[email protected]. 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 Federal Building, Fifth Coast Guard District between 9 
a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: CWO Christopher Humphrey, Prevention 
Department, Sector North Carolina, at (252) 247-4525 or via e-mail to 
[email protected].

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 [CCGD05-07-
029], 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.

Background and Purpose

    The Outboard Drag Boat Association will be sponsoring a series of 
seven (7) power boat racing events titled the ``Plymouth Drag Boat 
Race''. The power boat races will be held on the following dates: June 
24, July 22, August 11, 12, 19, September 30 and October 21, 2007. The 
races will be held on the Roanoke River immediately adjacent to 
Plymouth, North Carolina. The power boat races will consist of 
approximately (30) vessels conducting high speed straight line runs 
along the river and parallel with the shoreline. A fleet of spectator 
vessels are expected to gather near the event site to view the 
competition. To provide for the safety of participants, spectators and 
other transiting vessels, the Coast Guard will temporarily restrict 
vessel traffic in the event area during the power boat races.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations on 
specified waters of the Roanoke River, in the vicinity of Plymouth, NC. 
The regulated area includes a section of the Roanoke River 
approximately one mile long and bounded in width by each shoreline, 
immediately adjacent to Plymouth, NC. The effect of this regulation 
would be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area during 
the drag boat races. This special local regulation will be enforced 
from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 24, July 22, August 11, 12, 19, 
September 30 and October 21, 2007. Except for persons or vessels 
authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may 
enter or remain in the regulated area. Non-participating vessels will 
be allowed to transit the regulated area between races, when the Coast 
Guard Patrol Commander determines it is safe to do so. This regulation 
is 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.

[[Page 17457]]

    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 
Roanoke 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 notification that will be made 
to the maritime community via marine information broadcast, local radio 
stations 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 will 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: owners or operators of vessels intending to 
transit this section of the Roanoke River from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on 
June 24, July 22, August 11, 12, 19, September 30 and October 21, 2007. 
This proposed rule would not have significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. 
Although the regulated area will apply to a one mile segment of the 
Roanoke River, 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 shall proceed at the minimum 
speed necessary to maintain a safe course that minimizes wake near the 
race course. The Patrol Commander will allow non-participating vessels 
to transit the area between races. 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 (Public Law 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 U.S. Coast Guard Sector North 
Carolina, listed at the beginning of this rule. 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

[[Page 17458]]

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, an ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' is not required 
for this rule. Comments on this section will be considered before we 
make the final decision on whether this rule should be categorically 
excluded 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 amends 
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-T05-029 to read as follows:

Sec.  100.35-T05-029  Roanoke River, Plymouth, North Carolina.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulated area includes all waters of 
Roanoke River commencing at the north river bank at latitude 
350[deg]52'20'' N, longitude 0760[deg]44'47'' W, thence a line 180 
degrees due south across the river to the shoreline thence west along 
the shoreline to a position located at latitude 35[deg]51'43'' N, 
longitude 076[deg]43'45'' W, thence 000 degrees due north across the 
river to the shoreline thence east along the shoreline to the point of 
origin. 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.
    (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 shall:
    (i) Stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by any 
Official Patrol.
    (ii) Proceed as directed by any official patrol.
    (d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 10 a.m. 
to 8:30 p.m. on June 24, July 22, August 11, 12, 19, September 30 and 
October 21, 2007.

    Dated: March 20, 2007.
Larry L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 07-1621 Filed 4-6-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P
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