Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2013/06/04/2013-13001/temporary-change-of-dates-for-recurring-marine-event-in-the-fifth-coast-guard-district-mattaponi
Timestamp: 2017-08-23 21:57:31
Document Index: 95099076

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100']

Federal Register :: Temporary Change of Dates for Recurring Marine Event in the Fifth Coast Guard District, Mattaponi Drag Boat Race, Mattaponi River; Wakema, VA
A Rule by the Coast Guard on 06/04/2013
This rule is effective June 22-23, 2013.
Docket Number USCG-2013-0325
USCG-2013-0325
Environmental Checklist (6/7/2013)
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-13001 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2013-13001
This rule will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 22, 2013. In the event of inclement weather on June 22, 2013, this rule will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 23, 2013.
Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket [USCG-2013-0325]. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type the docket number in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
If you have questions on this rule, call or email Hector Cintron, Waterways Management Division Chief, Sector Hampton Roads, Coast Guard; telephone 757-668-5581, email Hector.L.Cintron@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.
This rule involves an annually occurring marine event that is scheduled to take place on the 3rd or 4th Saturday in August, as published in the table to 33 CFR 100.501. The Mattaponi Volunteer Rescue Squad has changed the date of the event to take place on June 22, 2013 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The “rain date” is June 23, 2013.
The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those procedures are Start Printed Page 33217“impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.” Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because any delay encountered in this regulation's effective date by publishing a NPRM would be contrary to public interest. On April 8, 2013 the Coast Guard was informed about the date change. It appears that the original sponsoring organization for this event is now defunct and a new sponsor has taken over. The new sponsor did not submit the requisite Application for a marine event on time.
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. The measures contemplated by this rule are intended to protect the safety of the persons participating in the event, spectators to the event and any other vessels that may pass through the restricted area. Any delaying of the effective date would be contrary to the public interest since immediate action is needed to ensure the safety of those noted.
The Mattaponi Volunteer Rescue Squad is sponsoring a series of power boat racing events titled the “Mattaponi Madness Drag Boat Event.” The power boat races will be held on the following dates: June 22, 2013, and in the case of inclement weather, the event will be rescheduled to June 23, 2013. The races will be held on the Mattaponi River immediately adjacent to the Rainbow Acres Campground, King and Queen County, Virginia. The power boat races will consist of approximately 40 vessels conducting high speed straight line runs along the river and parallel to the shoreline. A fleet of spectator vessels is 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.
The regulation listing annual marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District and corresponding dates is 33 CFR 100.501. The Table to § 100.501 identifies marine events by Captain of the Port zone. This particular marine event is listed in section (c.) line No. 23 of the table.
The current regulation described in section (c.) line No. 23 of the table indicates that the drag boat race event should take place this year either on the 3rd Saturday and Sunday or 4th Saturday and Sunday in August. The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary suspension of the regulation listed at section (c.) line No. 23 in the Table to § 100.501 and inserting this new temporary regulation at the Table to § 100.501 line No. 24 in order to reflect the change of date for this year's event. This change is needed to accommodate the change in date of the annual Mattaponi Drag Boat Race. No other portion of the Table to § 100.501 or other provisions in § 100.501 shall be affected by this regulation.
As such this special local regulation will restrict vessel movement in the regulated area during the marine event. The regulated area is needed to control vessel traffic and enhance the safety of participants and spectators of the Mattaponi Drag Boat Race. The regulation will be enforced from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 22, 2013, with an inclement weather date of June 23, 2013, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Except for persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area during the effective period.
Although this regulation will prevent traffic from transiting a portion of the Mattaponi River during the events, the effect of this regulation will not be significant due to the limited duration that the regulated area will be in effect and the 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 designed 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 and when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is safe to do so.
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 Mattaponi River from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on June 22, 2013 and on June 23, 2013. This proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: (i) Although the regulated area will apply to a 3/4 mile segment of the Mattaponi River, traffic may be allowed to pass through the regulated area with the permission of the Coast Guard Patrol Commander between races; (ii) 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; (iii) Before the enforcement period, we will issue maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal regulations to Start Printed Page 33218the 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). 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.
2. In § 100.501, in “Table to § 100.501,” under “(c.) Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads—COTP Zone,” suspend entry 23 and add entry 24 to read as follows:
§ 100.501-35T05-0325
Special Local Regulations; Mattaponi Drag Boat Race, Mattaponi River; Wakema, VA.
24 June 22, 2013 with an inclement weather date of June 23, 2013 Mattaponi Drag Boat Race Mattaponi Volunteer Rescue Squad and Dive Team All waters of Mattaponi River immediately adjacent to Rainbow Acres Campground, King and Queen County, Virginia. The regulated area includes a section of the Mattaponi River approximately three-quarter mile long and bounded in width by each shoreline, bounded to the east by a line that runs parallel along longitude 076°52′43″ W, near the mouth of Mitchell Hill Creek, and bounded to the west by a line that runs parallel along longitude 076°53′41″ W just north of Wakema, Virginia.