[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 63 (Tuesday, April 2, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 19632-19636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-07573]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket No. USCG-2013-0145]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulations; St. Thomas Carnival Watersport
Activities, Charlotte Amalie Harbor; St Thomas, USVI
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish a special local
regulation on the waters of Charlotte Amalie Harbor in St Thomas, USVI
during the St. Thomas Carnival Watersport Activities, a high speed boat
race. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 21, 2013.
Approximately 40 high-speed power boats will be participating in the
races and it is anticipated that 50 spectator crafts will be present
during the races. The special local regulation is necessary for the
safety of race participants,
[[Page 19633]]
participant vessels, spectators, and the general public during the
event. The special local regulation will establish the following four
areas: (1) A high speed boat race area, where all persons and vessels,
except those persons and vessels participating in the high-speed boat
races, are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in,
or remaining within; (2) a jet ski race area, where all persons and
vessels, except those persons and vessels participating in the jet ski
races, are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in,
or remaining within; (3) a buffer zone around the race areas, where all
persons and vessels, except those persons and vessels enforcing the
buffer zone or authorized participants transiting to their authorized
the race area, are prohibited from entering, transiting through,
anchoring in, or remaining within; and (4) a spectator area, where all
vessels are prohibited from anchoring and from traveling in excess of
wake speed, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a
designated representative.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before April 10, 2013.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number using
any one of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
(3) Mail or Delivery: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S.
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140,
1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001. Deliveries
accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for further instructions
on submitting comments. To avoid duplication, please use only one of
these three methods.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email Chief Warrant Officer Anthony Cassisa, Sector San Juan
Prevention Department, Coast Guard; telephone (787) 289-2073, email
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing or
submitting material to the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Table of Acronyms
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
A. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided.
1. Submitting comments
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. You may submit your comments and material online at
http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but
please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online, it
will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully
transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment,
it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when
it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you
include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a
telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact
you if we have questions regarding your submission.
To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov,
type the docket number [USCG-2013-0145] in the ``SEARCH'' box and click
``SEARCH.'' Click on ``Submit a Comment'' on the line associated with
this rulemaking.
If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them
in an unbound format, no larger than 8[frac12] by 11 inches, suitable
for copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and
would like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a
stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all
comments and material received during the comment period and may change
the rule based on your comments.
2. Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov,
type the docket number (USCG-2013-0145) 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.
3. Privacy Act
Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).
4. Public meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a
request for one, using one of the methods specified under ADDRESSES.
Please explain why you believe a public meeting 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.
B. Regulatory History and Information
The Coast Guard is issuing this notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) with a comment period shorter than 30 days. The Coast Guard is
doing this because the sponsor did not provide information regarding
the event details with sufficient time to provide for a 30 day comment
period. This is an annual event, which in the past has not received
comments from the public, however, the Coast Guard prefers to allow the
public an opportunity to comment, therefore it is publishing this NPRM
with a comment period shorter than 30 days.
C. Basis and Purpose
The legal basis for the rule is the Coast Guard's authority to
establish special local regulations: 33 U.S.C. 1233. The purpose of the
rule is to ensure safety of life on navigable waters of the United
States during the St Thomas Carnival Watersport Activities.
On April 21, 2013, Virgin Islands Carnival Committee Inc. is
sponsoring the St Thomas Carnival Watersport Activities, a series of
high-speed boat races and jet ski races. The races will be held on the
waters of Charlotte Amalie Harbor in St Thomas, USVI. Approximately 40
high-speed power
[[Page 19634]]
boats will be participating in the races. It is anticipated that
approximately 50 spectator vessels will be present during the races.
D. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The special local regulation encompasses certain waters of
Charlotte Amalie in St Thomas, USVI. The special local regulation will
be enforced from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on April 21, 2013. The special
local regulation consists of the following four areas: (1) A high-speed
boat race area, where all persons and vessels, except those persons and
vessels participating in the high-speed boat races, are prohibited from
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within; (2) a
jet ski race area, where all persons and vessels, except those persons
and vessels participating in the jet ski races, are prohibited from
entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within; (3) a
buffer zone around the race areas, where all persons and vessels,
except those persons and vessels enforcing the buffer zone or
authorized participants transiting to their respective race areas, are
prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or
remaining within; and (4) a spectator area, where all vessels are
prohibited from anchoring and from traveling in excess of wake speed
unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated
representative. Persons and vessels may request authorization to enter,
transit through, anchor in, or remain within the race area, or buffer
zone; or to anchor or travel in excess of wake speed in the spectator
area by contacting the Captain of the Port San Juan by telephone at
(787) 289-2041, or a designated representative via VHF radio on channel
16. If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain
within the race area, or buffer zone; or to anchor or travel in excess
of wake speed in the spectator area is granted by the Captain of the
Port San Juan or a designated representative, all persons and vessels
receiving such authorization must comply with the instructions of the
Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative. The Coast
Guard will provide notice of the special local regulations by Local
Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and on-scene
designated representatives.
E. 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 or executive orders.
1. Regulatory Planning and Review
This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review,
as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and
Regulatory Review, and does not require an assessment of potential
costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of Executive Order 12866 or
under section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and
Budget has not reviewed it under those Orders. The economic impact of
this rule is not significant for the following reasons: (1) The special
local regulations will be enforced for only seven hours; (2) although
persons and vessels will not be able to enter, transit through, anchor
in, or remain within the race area and buffer zone, or anchor in the
spectator area, without authorization from the Captain of the Port San
Juan or a designated representative, they may operate in the
surrounding area during the enforcement period; (3) persons and vessels
may still enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain within the race
area and buffer zone, or anchor in the spectator area, during the
enforcement period if authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or
a designated representative; and (4) the Coast Guard will provide
advance notification of the special local regulations to the local
maritime community by Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to
Mariners.
2. Impact on Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have
considered the impact of this proposed rule on small entities. The
Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
small entities.
This rule may affect the following entities, some of which may be
small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to enter,
transit through, anchor in, or remain within that portion of Charlotte
Amalie harbor encompassed within the special local regulation from 10
a.m. until 5 p.m. on April 21, 2013. For the reasons discussed in the
Regulatory Planning and Review section above, this rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
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.
3. Assistance for Small Entities
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 contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, above. 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.
4. Collection of Information
This proposed rule will not call for a new collection of
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520.).
5. Federalism
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
determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism.
6. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to contact 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.
7. 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.
[[Page 19635]]
8. Taking of Private Property
This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630,
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected
Property Rights.
9. 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.
10. Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks
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.
11. 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.
12. Energy Effects
This proposed rule is not a ``significant energy action'' under
Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use.
13. Technical Standards
This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
14. Environment
We have analyzed this proposed 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 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 a special local regulation issued in conjunction with a
regatta or marine parade. This rule is categorically excluded from
further review under paragraph 34(h) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant
Instruction. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting
this determination and a Categorical Exclusion Determination are
available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES. We seek any
comments or information that may lead to the discovery of a significant
environmental impact from this proposed rule.
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 proposes
to amend 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: 33 U.S.C. 1233.
0
2. Add Sec. 100.35T07-1089 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.35T07-0145 Special Local Regulations; St Thomas Watersports
Activities, Charlotte Amalie Harbor; St Thomas, USVI.
(a) Regulated Areas. The following regulated areas are established
as special local regulations. All coordinates are North American Datum
1983.
(1) Power Boat Race Area. All waters of the St. Thomas Harbor
located around Hassel Island, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Island
encompassed within an imaginary line connecting the following points
for the Power Boat Race: Starting at Point 1 in position 18[deg]20.19'
N, 64[deg]56.07' W; thence southeast to Point 2 in position
18[deg]19.70' N 64[deg]55.70' W; thence southwest to Point 3 in
position 18[deg]19.35' N, 64[deg]55.71' W; thence west to point 4 in
position 18[deg]19.27' N, 64[deg]56.01' N; thence north to point 5 in
position 18[deg]19.98' N, 64[deg]56.46' W; thence northeast to point 6
in position 18[deg]20.21' N, 064[deg]56.31' W; thence east back to
origin. All persons and vessels, except those persons and vessels
participating in the high-speed boat race, are prohibited from
entering, transiting, anchoring, or remaining within the race area.
(2) Jet Ski Race Area. All waters encompassed within an imaginary
line connecting the following points: starting at Point 1 in position
18[deg]20.08' N, 64[deg]55.88' W; thence west to Point 2 in position
18[deg]20.08' N, 64[deg]56.06' W; thence north to Point 3 in position
18[deg]20.28' N, 64[deg]56.06' W; thence east to Point 4 in position
18[deg]20.28' N, 64[deg]55.88' W; thence south back to origin. All
persons and vessels, except those persons and vessels participating in
the Jet Ski Race, are prohibited from entering, transiting, anchoring,
or remaining within the race area.
(3) Buffer Zone. All waters of the St Thomas Harbor located around
Hassel Island; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Island excluding the power boat
race area and jet ski race area, encompassed within an imaginary line
connecting the following points: starting at Point 1 in position
18[deg]20.34' N, 64[deg]55.91' W; thence southeast to Point 2 in
position 18[deg]19.70' N, 64[deg]55.71' W; thence south to Point 3 in
position 18[deg]19.31' N, 64[deg]55.72' W; thence southwest to Point 4
in position 18[deg]19.23' N, 64[deg]56.04' W; thence northwest to Point
5 in position 18[deg]19.94' N, 64[deg]56.50' W; thence northeast to
Point 6 in position 18[deg]20.26' N, 64[deg]56.31' W thence east back
to origin. All persons and vessels except those persons and vessels
enforcing the buffer zone are prohibited from entering, transiting
through, anchoring in, or remaining within the buffer zone, with the
exception of authorized race participants transiting to their
respective race areas.
(4) Spectator Area. All waters of the St. Thomas Harbor located
east of Hassel Island, excluding the power boat race area, the jet ski
race area, and the buffer zone, encompassed within an imaginary line
connecting the following points: starting at Point 1 in position
18[deg]20.30' N, 64[deg]55.76' W; thence south to Point 2 in position
18[deg]19.97' N, 64[deg]55.67' W; thence northeast to Point 3 in
position 18[deg]20.19' N, 64[deg]55.54' W; thence northwest back to
origin. On-scene designated representatives will direct spectator
vessels to the spectator area.
(b) Definition. The term ``designated representative'' means Coast
Guard Patrol Commanders, including Coast Guard coxswains, petty
officers, and other officers operating Coast Guard vessels, and
Federal, state, and local officers designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port San Juan in the enforcement of the regulated areas.
(c) Regulations.
(1) All persons and vessels are prohibited from:
(A) Entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within
the power boat race area, unless participating in the power boat race.
(B) Entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within
the
[[Page 19636]]
jet ski race area, unless participating in the jet ski race.
(C) Transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the
buffer zone, unless enforcing the buffer zone or a race participant
transiting to their designated race area.
(D) All persons and vessels are prohibited from anchoring in, or
traveling in excess of wake speed in the spectator zone.
(2) Persons and vessels may request authorization to enter, transit
through, anchor in, or remain within the race areas by contacting the
Captain of the Port San Juan by telephone at (787) 289-2041, or a
designated representative via VHF radio on channel 16. If authorization
is granted by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated
representative, all persons and vessels receiving such authorization
must comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port San Juan
or a designated representative.
(3) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated areas by
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, and on-scene
designated representatives.
(d) Enforcement Date. This rule will be enforced from 10 a.m. until
5 p.m. on April 21, 2013.
Dated: March 14, 2013.
D.W. Pearson,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port San Juan.
[FR Doc. 2013-07573 Filed 4-1-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P