[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 30632-30633]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15034]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[CGD01-98-017]
RIN 2115-AE46
Special Local Regulation: Harvard-Yale Regatta, Thames River, New
London, CT
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is issuing a temporary rule to change the
effective dates for the special local regulations for this year's
Harvard-Yale Regatta. The Harvard-Yale Regatta will be held on June 6,
1998, on the Thames River in New London, Connecticut. This regulation
is necessary to control vessel traffic within the immediate vicinity of
the event due to the confined nature of the event, thus providing for
the safety of life and property on the affected navigable waters.
DATES: This rule is effective on June 6, 1998, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. If
the regatta is canceled due to weather, this rule will be in effect on
the following day, Sunday June 7, 1998, from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Mark A. Cawthorn,
Assistant Chief, Search and Rescue Branch, First Coast Guard District,
(617) 223-8460.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory History
The special local regulation in 33 CFR 100.101 for the annual
Harvard-Yale Regatta was published on May 13, 1996 at 62 FR 21960. The
regulation's effective date does not allow automatic implementation of
the rule each year. This regulation is necessary to suspend paragraph
(b) of 33 CFR 100.101 and add paragraph (d) specifying the effective
dates for this year's event. Good cause exists for providing for this
regulation to become effective in less than 30 days after Federal
Register publication. Publishing an NPRM would require a 30-day comment
period and the final rule would not be effective before the scheduled
event. The Coast Guard believes delaying the event in order to provide
a 30-day delayed effective date would be contrary to the public
interest given this event's local popularity.
Background and Purpose
The Harvard-Yale regatta is an annual rowing race sponsored by the
Harvard-Yard Regatta Committee. Participating rowboats require
favorable navigable conditions. A portion of the Thames River in New
London, Connecticut will be closed during the effective period. The
regulated area is that area of the river between the Penn Central
Drawbridge and Bartlett's Cove. This regulated area is needed to
protect life and property during the event. For further information and
restrictions regarding this event see 33 CFR 100.101.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f)
of Executive Order 12866, and does not require an assessment of
potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. The
Office of Management and Budget has exempted this temporary rule from
review under that order. This temporary rule is not significant under
the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of
Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040, February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard
expects the economic impact of this rule to be so minimal that a full
Regulatory Evaluation, under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies
and procedures of DOT, is unnecessary. The effect of this temporary
rule will not be significant for several reasons: Entry into the
regulated area is restricted for a short duration; vessels may transit
around the regulated area; and the extensive advance advisories that
will be made.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the
Coast Guard considered whether this rule would have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small
entities'' may include (1) small businesses and not-for-profit
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not
dominant in their fields and (2) governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000.
For the reasons discussed in the Regulatory Evaluation, the Coast
Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
Collection of Information
This rule contains no collection of information requirements under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under the principles and
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and
[[Page 30633]]
have determined that this rule does not have sufficient federalism
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this
rule and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(h), of
Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, this rule is categorically excluded
from further environmental documentation.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety; Navigation (water); Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements; Waterways.
Final Regulation
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard
temporarily amends 33 CFR part 100 as follows:
1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233 through 1236; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR
100.35.
2. From 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 6, 1998, in Sec. 100.101,
paragraph (b) is suspended and a new paragraph (d) is added to read as
follows:
Sec. 100.101 Harvard-Yale Regatta, Thames River, New London, CT.
(d) Effective period. This section is in effect on June 6, 1998,
from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. If the regatta is canceled due to weather, this
section will be in effect on the following day, Sunday, June 7, 1998
from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dated: May 26, 1998.
James D. Garrison,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, First Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 98-15034 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
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