[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 53 (Tuesday, March 21, 2017)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 14494-14496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-05544]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2017-0168]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Corsica River, Queen Anne's County, MD
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local
regulations for certain waters of the Corsica River. This action is
necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters
located in Queen Anne's County, MD during a rowing event on April 22,
2017. If necessary, due to inclement weather, the event will be
rescheduled to April 23, 2017. 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 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 April 20, 2017.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2017-0168 using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. See the ``Public Participation and Request for
Comments'' portion of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further
instructions on submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rulemaking, call or email Mr. Ronald Houck, U.S. Coast Guard
Sector Maryland-National Capital Region; telephone 410-576-2674, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
E.O. Executive order
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Pub. L. Public Law
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
On February 16, 2017, The Gunston School of Centreville, MD
notified the Coast Guard that it will be conducting a rowing regatta
from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 22, 2017, and if necessary, due to
inclement weather, from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. on April 23, 2017. The high
school rowing event consists of approximately 30 participants competing
on a designated 1500-meter distance course in the Corsica River that
starts at Rocky Point and finishes at Jacobs Nose near Centreville, MD.
Hazards from the rowing competition include participants operating
within and adjacent to the designated navigation channel and
interfering with vessels intending to operate within that channel, as
well as rowing within approaches to local public and private marinas
and boat facilities. The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region has
determined that potential hazards associated with the rowing event
would be a safety concern for anyone intending to participate in this
event or for vessels that operate within specified waters of the
Corsica River in Queen Anne's County, MD.
The purpose of this rulemaking is to protect event participants,
spectators and transiting vessels on specified waters of the Corsica
River before, during, and after the scheduled event.
The Coast Guard proposes this rulemaking under authority in 33
U.S.C. 1233, which authorize the Coast Guard to establish and define
special local regulations.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region proposes to establish
special local regulations from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on April 22,
2017, and if necessary, due to inclement weather, from 7:30 a.m. until
2:30 p.m. on April 23, 2017. The regulated area would include all
navigable waters of the Corsica River, from shoreline to shoreline,
within an area bounded on the east by a line drawn from latitude
39[deg]04'32'' N., longitude 076[deg]05'20'' W., thence south to
latitude 39[deg]04'07'' N., longitude 076[deg]05'20'' W., and bounded
on the west by a line drawn from latitude 39[deg]04'59'' N., longitude
076[deg]06'30'' W., thence south to latitude 39[deg]04'44'' N.,
longitude 076[deg]06'30'' W., located near Centreville, MD. The
duration of the regulated area is intended to ensure the safety of
event participants and vessels within the specified navigable waters
before, during, and after the scheduled 8 a.m. until 2 p.m. rowing
competition. Except for The Gunston Invitational participants, no
vessel or person would be permitted to enter the regulated area without
obtaining permission from the COTP Maryland-National Capital Region or
the Coast Guard Patrol Commander. 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 (E.O.s) related to rulemaking. Below we summarize
our analyses based on a number of these statutes and E.O.s, and we
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
E.O.s 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.
E.O. 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting
flexibility. This NPRM has not been designated a ``significant
regulatory action,'' under E.O. 12866. Accordingly,
[[Page 14495]]
the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
This regulatory action determination is based on the size and
duration of the regulated area, which would impact a small designated
area of the Corsica River for 7 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 vessel
operators to request permission to enter the regulated area for the
purpose of safely transiting the regulated area if deemed safe to do so
by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.
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
regulated area 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.
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 contact 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 E.O. 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 E.O. 13132.
Also, this proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
E.O. 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 contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section above.
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 Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction
M16475.lD, 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 may negatively impact the safety of waterway users and shore side
activities within the event area. This category of marine event water
activities includes but is not limited to sail boat regattas, boat
parades, power boat racing, swimming events, crew racing, canoe and
sail board racing. Normally such actions are categorically excluded
from further review under paragraph 34(h) of Figure 2-1 of Commandant
Instruction M16475.lD. A preliminary environmental analysis checklist
and 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.
G. 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.
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 http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions.
We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the
docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal
Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal
Register (70 FR 15086).
Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket,
and all public comments, will be in our online
[[Page 14496]]
docket at http://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following
that Web site's instructions. Additionally, 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 proposes
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: 33 U.S.C. 1233.
0
2. Add Sec. 100.35-T05-0168 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.501-T05-0168 Special Local Regulation; Corsica River, Queen
Anne's County, MD.
(a) Definitions. (1) Captain of the Port 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 Captain of the Port to act on
his behalf.
(2) Coast Guard Patrol Commander 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.
(3) 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.
(4) Participant means all persons and vessels participating in The
Gunston Invitational event under the auspices of the Marine Event
Permit issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast
Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region.
(b) Regulated area. The following location is a regulated area: All
navigable waters of the Corsica River, from shoreline to shoreline,
within an area bounded on the east by a line drawn from latitude
39[deg]04'32'' N., longitude 076[deg]05'20'' W., thence south to
latitude 39[deg]04'07'' N., longitude 076[deg]05'20'' W., and bounded
on the west by a line drawn from latitude 39[deg]04'59'' N., longitude
076[deg]06'30'' W., thence south to latitude 39[deg]04'44'' N.,
longitude 076[deg]06'30'' W., located near Centreville, MD. All
coordinates reference Datum NAD 1983.
(c) Special local regulations. (1) The Coast Guard Patrol Commander
may forbid and control the movement of all vessels and persons,
including event participants, in the regulated area. When hailed or
signaled by an official patrol, a vessel or person in the regulated
area shall immediately comply with the directions given. Failure to do
so may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to
comply, or both. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander may terminate the
event, or the operation of any support vessel participating in the
event, at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of life or
property.
(2) Except for participants and vessels already at berth, all
persons and vessels within the regulated area at the time it is
implemented shall depart the regulated area.
(3) Persons and vessels desiring to transit, moor, or anchor within
the regulated area must obtain authorization from Captain of the Port
Maryland-National Capital Region or Coast Guard Patrol Commander. Prior
to the enforcement period, vessel operators may request permission to
transit, moor, or anchor within the regulated area from Captain of the
Port Maryland-National Capital Region at telephone number 410-576-2693
or on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). During the
enforcement period, persons or vessel operators may request permission
to transit, moor, or anchor within the regulated area from the Coast
Guard Patrol Commander on Marine Band Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8
MHz).
(4) The Coast Guard may be assisted with marine event patrol and
enforcement of the regulated area by other Federal, State, and local
agencies. The Coast Guard Patrol Commander and official patrol vessels
enforcing this regulated area can be contacted on marine band radio
VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and channel 22A (157.1 MHz).
(5) The Coast Guard will publish a notice in the Fifth Coast Guard
District Local Notice to Mariners and issue a marine information
broadcast on VHF-FM marine band radio announcing specific event date
and times.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7:30
a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on April 22, 2017, and if necessary, due to
inclement weather, from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. on April 23, 2017.
Dated: March 15, 2017.
Lonnie P. Harrison, Jr.,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2017-05544 Filed 3-20-17; 8:45 am]
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