[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 187 (Friday, September 26, 1997)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 50544-50545]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-25596]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD07-97-047]
RIN 2115-AE46


Special Local Regulations; City of Augusta, GA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary special local 
regulations for the Augusta Port Authority's Head of the South Rowing 
Regatta. The event will be held from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern 
Standard Time (EST) on November 7 and 8, 1997, on the Savannah River at 
Augusta, GA. These regulations are necessary for the safety of life on 
the navigable waters during the event.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before October 27, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Group 
Charleston, 196 Tradd Street, Charleston, SC 29401, or may be delivered 
to the Operations Office at the same address between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 
p.m. Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (803) 724-7621.
    The Group Commander maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments will become part of this docket and will be 
available for inspection or copying at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LTJG M.J. DaPonte, Project Manager, Coast Guard Group Charleston at 
(803) 724-7621.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their name and address, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD7 97-047) and the specific section of this 
proposal to which each comment applies, and give a reason for each 
comment. Persons desiring acknowledgment of receipt of comments

[[Page 50545]]

should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this proposal in view of the comments.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Project Manager at the address under 
ADDRESSES. If it is determined that the opportunity for oral 
presentations will aid this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold a 
public hearing at the time and place announced by a later notice in the 
Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

    The proposed regulations are needed to provide for the safety of 
life during the Head of the South Rowing Regatta. There will be up to 
6000 participants racing singles, doubles, four and eight person rowing 
shells on a fixed course. These regulations are intended to promote the 
safe navigation on the Savannah River immediately before, during, and 
after the regatta by controlling the traffic entering, exiting, and 
traveling within the regatta area. The anticipated concentration of 
spectator vessels poses a safety concern which is addressed in this 
proposed special local regulation. The proposed regulation would not 
permit the entry or movement of spectator vessels and other non-
participating vessel traffic between a line drawn directly across the 
Savannah River at mile markers 200.2 and 197.45 on Friday, November 7th 
and Saturday, November 8th, 1997, between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 
6:30 p.m. EST.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) 
of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of 
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It 
has been exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget 
under that order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies 
and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040; 
February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this 
proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under 
paragraph 10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is 
unnecessary. The regulated area encompasses less than 3 nautical miles 
on the Savannah River between mile markers 200.2 and 197.45, entry into 
which is prohibited for only twelve hours on each day of the event.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposed rule, if adopted, will 
have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. ``Small entities'' include small businesses, not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not 
dominant in their field and governmental jurisdictions with populations 
of less than 50,000.
    Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) that this 
proposed rule, if adopted, will not have a significant effect upon a 
substantial number of small entities because it encompasses less than 3 
nautical miles on the Savannah River between mile markers 200.2 and 
197.45, entry into which is prohibited for only twelve hours on two 
days.
    If, however, you think that your business or organization qualifies 
as a small entity and that this proposed rule will have a significant 
economic impact on your business or organization, please submit a 
comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and in 
what way and to what degree this proposed rule will economically affect 
it.

Collection of Information

    These regulations contain no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principals and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and it has been determined 
that this rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism implications 
to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this 
action, and has determined pursuant to Section 2.B.2.e(34)(h) of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B, that it is categorically excluded 
from further environmental documentation. A Categorical Exclusion 
Determination and Environmental Analysis Checklist will be prepared 
during the comment period and will be available for inspection and 
copying after the comment period for this proposed rulemaking has 
expired.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

    Marine Safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping 
requirements, Waterways.

Proposed Regulations

    In consideration of the foregoing, Part 100 of Title 33, Code of 
Federal Regulations, is proposed for amendment as follows:

PART 100--[AMENDED]

    1. The authority citation for Part 100 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority. 33 U.S.C. 1233; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 100.35.

    2. A temporary section 100.35T-07-047 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 100.35T-07-047  Head of the South Rowing Regatta, Savannah River 
at Augusta, GA.

    (a) Regulated area. A regulated area is established on that portion 
of the Savannah River at Augusta, GA, between mile markers 200.2 and 
197.45. The regulated area encompasses the width of the Savannah River 
between these two points. All coordinates referenced use Datum: NAD 83.
    (b) Coast Guard Patrol Commander. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander 
is a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard who has 
been designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Group Charleston, SC.
    (c) Special Local Regulations. Entry into the regulated area by 
other than event participants is prohibited, unless otherwise 
authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. After termination of 
the Head of the South Rowing Regatta on November 7 and 8, 1997, all 
vessels may resume normal operations.
    (d) Effective Date. This section is effective from 6:30 a.m. to 
6:30 p.m. EST on November 7 and 8, 1997.

    Dated: September 18, 1997.
N.T. Saunders,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-25596 Filed 9-25-97; 8:45 am]
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