Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2011/09/08/2011-22917/special-local-regulation-for-marine-events-temporary-change-of-dates-for-recurring-marine-events-in
Timestamp: 2018-03-20 12:29:59
Document Index: 18690358

Matched Legal Cases: ['§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', 'art 100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100', '§\u2009100']

Federal Register :: Special Local Regulation for Marine Events; Temporary Change of Dates for Recurring Marine Events in the Fifth Coast Guard District, John H. Kerr Reservoir, Clarksville, VA
Special Local Regulation for Marine Events; Temporary Change of Dates for Recurring Marine Events in the Fifth Coast Guard District, John H. Kerr Reservoir, Clarksville, VA
This rule is effective from 9 a.m. September 24, 2011 until 6 p.m. on September 25, 2011. This rule will be enforced from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 24 and 25, 2011.
76 FR 55558
55558-55561 (4 pages)
2011-22917
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2011-22917 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2011-22917
The Coast Guard will temporarily change the enforcement period of special local regulations for one recurring marine event in the Fifth Coast Guard District, specifically, the “Clarksville Hydroplane Challenge,” hydroplane races on the waters of the John H. Kerr Reservoir. Because this event will consist of approximately 80 hydroplane powerboats conducting high-speed competitive races in heats counter-clockwise around an oval racecourse on the water of the John H. Kerr Reservoir, this regulation is 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 John H. Kerr Reservoir in Clarksville, Virginia during the event.
Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket USCG-2011-0545 and are available online by going to http://www.Start Printed Page 55559regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0545 in the “Keyword” box, and then clicking “Search.” This material is also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 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 temporary rule, call or e-mail LCDR Christopher A. O'Neal, Waterways Management Division Chief, Sector Hampton Roads, Coast Guard; telephone 757-668-5581, e-mail Christopher.A.Oneal@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
On June 27, 2011, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled Special Local Regulation for Marine Events; Temporary Change of Dates for Recurring Marine Events in the Fifth Coast Guard District, John H. Kerr Reservoir, Clarksville VA. in the Federal Register (76 FR 123). We received no comments on the proposed rule. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.
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 Coast Guard was informed about the changed date too late for the full delayed-effective date period to run. In addition, the public interest favors allowing the event to take place at its scheduled time. The burden on the boating public will be low, consisting of a short restriction on vessel traffic in a limited area, with passage allowed when safe to do so. The benefit of allowing the event to continue as scheduled will be enjoyed by a large number of participants and spectators.
This regulation will temporarily change the enforcement period of special local regulations for one recurring marine event within Fifth Coast Guard District. This regulation applies to one marine event in 33 CFR 100.501, Table to § 100.501.
On September 24 and 25, 2011, the Cambridge Power Boat Racing Association will sponsor the “Clarksville Hydroplane Challenge” hydroplane races on the waters of the John H. Kerr Reservoir. The regulation at 33 CFR 100.501 is effective annually for this hydroplane boat race marine event. The event will consist of approximately 80 hydroplane powerboats conducting high-speed competitive races in heats counter-clockwise around an oval racecourse on the water of the John H. Kerr Reservoir adjacent to Occoneechee State Park, Clarksville, Virginia and State Route 15 Highway Bridge. 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, support and transiting vessels, the Coast Guard will temporarily restrict vessel traffic in the event area during the hydroplane races. The regulation at 33 CFR 100.501 will be enforced for the duration of the event. Under the provisions of 33 CFR 100.501, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on September 24 and 25, 2011, vessels may not enter the regulated area unless they receive permission from the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.
The Coast Guard did not receive comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published in the Federal Register. Accordingly, the Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation on the specified waters of John H. Kerr Reservoir, Clarksville, Virginia.
We expect the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary. Although this rule prevents traffic from transiting a portion of certain waterways during specified times, 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 notifications that will be made to the maritime community via marine information broadcasts, local radio stations and area newspapers so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly. Additionally, this rulemaking does not change the permanent regulated areas that have been published in 33 CFR 100.501, Table to § 100.501. In some cases vessel traffic may be able to transit the regulated area when the coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is safe to do so.
This rule would affect the following entities, some of which might be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit or anchor in the area where the marine event is being held. This regulation will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities because it will be enforced only during the marine events that have been permitted by the Coast Guard Captain of the Port. The Captain of the Port will ensure that small entities are able to operate in the areas where the event is occurring when it is safe to do so. In some cases vessels will be able to safely transit around the regulated area at various times, and, with the permission of the Patrol Commander, vessels may transit through the regulated area. Before the enforcement period, the Coast Guard will issue maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Start Printed Page 55560Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), in the NPRM we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction. This rule involves implementation of regulations within 33 CFR Part 100 that apply to organized marine events on the navigable waters of the United States that may have potential for negative impact on the safety or other interest of waterway users and shore side activities in the event area. The category of water activities includes but is not limited to sail boat regattas, boat parades, power boat racing, swimming events, crew racing, and sail board racing. Under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, an environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination will be available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
3. In § 100.501, add line No. 62 in Table to § 100.501 to read as follows:
Table To § 100.501.—All coordinates listed in the Table to § 100.501 reference Datum NAD 1983.Start Printed Page 55561
[FR Doc. 2011-22917 Filed 9-7-11; 8:45 am]