Document ID: USCG-2021-0262-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: Special Local Regulation; Potomac River, Between Jones Point, VA, and National Harbor, MD
Posted Date: 2021-04-26T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 78 (Monday, April 26, 2021)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 21985-21988]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-08457]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0262]
RIN 1625-AA08

Special Local Regulation; Potomac River, Between Jones Point, VA, 
and National Harbor, MD

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish temporary special 
local regulations for certain waters of the Potomac River. This action 
is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable 
waters located between Jones Point, VA, and National Harbor, MD, during 
a swim event on June 6, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit 
persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized 
by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or the 
Coast Guard Event Patrol Commander. We invite your comments on this 
proposed rulemaking.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before May 11, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0262 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for 
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further 
instructions on submitting comments.

[[Page 21986]]

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
proposed rulemaking, call or email Mr. Ron Houck, U.S. Coast Guard 
Sector Maryland-National Capital Region; telephone 410-576-2674, email 
D05-DG-SectorMD-NCR-MarineEvents@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
PATCOM Patrol Commander
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis

    On April 12, 2021, WaveOne Open Water of Washington, DC, notified 
the Coast Guard that it will be conducting the Washington's Crossing 
2021 from 7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on June 6, 2021. The open water swim 
consists of approximately 160 participants competing on a designated, 
marked course located on the Potomac River, downriver of and parallel 
to the Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95/I-495) Bridge. The event is being 
staged out of National Harbor, MD. Hazards from the swim competition 
include participants swimming within and adjacent to the designated 
navigation channel and interfering with vessels intending to operate 
within that channel, as well as swimming within approaches to local 
public and private marinas and public boat facilities. The Captain of 
the Port (COTP) Maryland-National Capital Region has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the swim would be a safety concern 
for anyone intending to operate within specified waters of the Potomac 
River.
    The Coast Guard is requesting that interested parties provide 
comments within a shortened comment period of 15 days instead of the 
more typical 30 days for this notice of proposed rulemaking. The Coast 
Guard believes a shortened comment period is necessary and reasonable 
to ensure the Coast Guard has time to review and respond to any 
significant comments submitted by the public in response to the NPRM 
and has final rule in effect in time for the scheduled event.
    The purpose of this rulemaking is to protect event participants, 
non-participants, and transiting vessels before, during, and after the 
scheduled event. The Coast Guard proposes this rulemaking under 
authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).

III. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region is proposing to establish 
special local regulations from 6:30 a.m. through 11 a.m. on June 6, 
2021. There is no alternate date planned for this event. The regulated 
area would cover all navigable waters of the Potomac River, encompassed 
by a line connecting the following points, beginning at Jones Point 
Park, VA, shoreline at latitude 38[deg]47'35'' N, longitude 
077[deg]02'22'' W, thence east along the northern extent of the Woodrow 
Wilson Memorial (I-495/I-95) Bridge, at mile 103.8, to the Rosilie 
Island shoreline at latitude 38[deg]47'36'' N, longitude 
077[deg]01'32'' W, thence south along the Maryland shoreline to 
latitude 38[deg]46'52'' N, longitude 077[deg]01'13'' W, at National 
Harbor, MD shoreline, thence west across the Potomac River to the 
George Washington Memorial Parkway highway overpass and Cameron Run 
shoreline at latitude 38[deg]47'23'' N, longitude 077[deg]03'03'' W, 
thence north along the Virginia shoreline to the point of origin. The 
regulated area is approximately 1,400 yards in length and 3,350 yards 
in width. The proposed duration of the rule and size of the regulated 
area are intended to ensure the safety of life on these navigable 
waters before, during, and after the open water swim, scheduled from 
7:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. on June 6, 2021. The COTP and the Coast Guard 
Event Patrol Commander (PATCOM) would have authority to forbid and 
control the movement of all vessels and persons, including event 
participants, in the regulated area.
    Except for Washington's Crossing 2021 participants and vessels 
already at berth, a vessel or person would be required to get 
permission from the COTP or Event PATCOM before entering the regulated 
area. Vessel operators would be able to request permission to enter and 
transit through the regulated area by contacting the Event PATCOM on 
VHF-FM channel 16. Vessel traffic would be able to safely transit the 
regulated area once the Event PATCOM deems it safe to do so. A person 
or vessel not registered with the event sponsor as a participant or 
assigned as official patrols would be considered a non-participant. 
Official Patrols are any vessel assigned or approved by the Commander, 
Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region with a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast 
Guard ensign.
    If permission is granted by the COTP or Event PATCOM, a person or 
vessel would be allowed to enter the regulated area or pass directly 
through the regulated area as instructed. Vessels would be required to 
operate at a safe speed that minimizes wake while within the regulated 
area. Official patrol vessels would direct non-participants while 
within the regulated area.
    The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this 
document.

IV. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and 
we discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. This NPRM has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, the NPRM 
has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, time of 
day and duration of the regulated area, which would impact a small 
designated area of the Potomac River for 4.5 hours. The Coast Guard 
would issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 
about the status of the regulated area. Moreover, the rule would allow 
vessels to seek permission to enter the regulated area, and vessel 
traffic would be able to safely transit the regulated area once the 
Event PATCOM deems it safe to do so.

B. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section 
IV.A above, this proposed rule would not have a significant economic 
impact on any vessel owner or operator.

[[Page 21987]]

    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.
    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. If the rule would affect 
your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you 
have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, 
please call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any 
policy or action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would not call for a new collection of 
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520).

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132 
(Federalism), if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on 
the relationship between the National Government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and 
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, 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. If 
you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or 
Indian tribes, please call or email the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

E. 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 proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland 
Security Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing 
instructions, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), 
which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made 
a preliminary determination that this action is one of a category of 
actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment. This proposed 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 lasting for eight hours. Normally 
such actions are categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph L61 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-
001-01, Rev. 1. We seek any comments or information that may lead to 
the discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed 
rule.

G. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to call or email the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so 
that your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or 
security of people, places, or vessels.

V. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person 
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for 
alternate instructions.
    We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal information you have 
provided. For more about privacy and submissions in response to this 
document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, 
March 11, 2020).
    Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket, 
and public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions. We review all comments received, but we will only post 
comments that address the topic of the proposed rule. We may choose not 
to post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that we 
receive. If you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, 
you will be notified when comments are posted or a final rule is 
published.

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 is 
proposing 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: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05-1.

0
2. Add Sec.  100.501T05-0262 to read as follows:

Sec.  100.501T05-0262  Washington's Crossing 2021, Potomac River, 
Between Jones Point, VA, and National Harbor, MD.

    (a) Regulated area. The regulations in this section apply to the 
following area: All navigable waters of the Potomac River, encompassed 
by a line connecting the following points, beginning at Jones Point 
Park, VA, shoreline at latitude 38[deg]47'35'' N, longitude 
077[deg]02'22'' W, thence east along the northern extent of the Woodrow 
Wilson Memorial (I-495/I-95) Bridge, at mile 103.8, to the Rosilie 
Island shoreline at latitude 38[deg]47'36'' N, longitude 
077[deg]01'32'' W, thence south along the Maryland shoreline to 
latitude

[[Page 21988]]

38[deg]46'52'' N, longitude 077[deg]01'13'' W, at National Harbor, MD 
shoreline, thence west across the Potomac River to the George 
Washington Memorial Parkway highway overpass and Cameron Run shoreline 
at latitude 38[deg]47'23'' N, longitude 077[deg]03'03'' W, thence north 
along the Virginia shoreline to the point of origin. These coordinates 
are based on datum NAD 1983.
    (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
    Captain of the Port (COTP) Maryland-National Capital Region means 
the Commander, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region 
or any Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or petty officer who has been 
authorized by the COTP to act on his behalf.
    Coast Guard Event Patrol Commander (PATCOM) means a commissioned, 
warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard who has been 
designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
    Official patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by Commander, 
Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region with a 
commissioned, warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast 
Guard ensign.
    Participant means all persons and vessels registered with the event 
sponsor as participating in the ``Washington's Crossing 2021'' swim 
event, or otherwise designated by the event sponsor as having a 
function tied to the event.
    (c) Regulations. (1) Except for vessels already at berth, all non-
participants are prohibited from entering, transiting through, 
anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area described in 
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP Maryland-
National Capital Region or Event PATCOM.
    (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP Maryland-National 
Capital Region at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band 
Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz) or the Event PATCOM on Marine Band 
Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Those in the regulated area must 
comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP 
Maryland-National Capital Region or Event PATCOM.
    (3) The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region will provide notice 
of the regulated area through advanced notice via Fifth Coast Guard 
District Local Notice to Mariners, broadcast notice to mariners, and 
on-scene official patrols.
    (d) Enforcement officials. The Coast Guard may be assisted with 
marine event patrol and enforcement of the regulated area by other 
federal, state, and local agencies.
    (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 6:30 
a.m. to 11 a.m. on June 6, 2021.

    Dated: April 15, 2021.
Joseph B. Loring,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National 
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2021-08457 Filed 4-23-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P