83 FR 44229 - Special local regulation; Battle of the Bridges, Intracoastal Waterway; Venice, FL

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 169 (August 30, 2018)

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters in Venice, FL, during the Battle of the Bridges on September 15, 2018. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the race area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg (COTP) or a designated representative.

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 169 (Thursday, August 30, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 44229-44231]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-18771]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0608]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special local regulation; Battle of the Bridges, Intracoastal 
Waterway; Venice, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local 
regulation for certain waters of the Intracoastal Waterway. This action 
is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable 
waters in Venice, FL, during the Battle of the Bridges on September 15, 
2018. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the 
race area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port St. Petersburg 
(COTP) or a designated representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. on September 
15, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2018-0608 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rule.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Marine Science Technician First Class Michael 
Shackleford, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 813-228-2191, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    On November 7, 2017, the Sarasota Scullers Youth Rowing Program 
notified the Coast Guard that it will be conducting the Battle of the 
Bridges sculler race from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on September 15, 2018. 
The race will take place in portions of the Intracoastal Waterway in 
Venice, FL. In response, on August 7, 2018, the Coast Guard published a 
notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled Special Local Regulation; 
Battle of the Bridges,

[[Page 44230]]

Intracoastal Waterway, Venice, FL (83 FR 38670) There we stated why we 
issued the NPRM, and invited comments on our proposed regulatory action 
related to this fireworks display. During the comment period that ended 
August 22, 2018, we did not receive any comments.
    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. Delaying the effective date of 
this rule would be impracticable because immediate action is needed to 
respond to the potential safety hazards associated with the running of 
the event on September 15, 2018.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
1233. The Captain of the Port St. Petersburg (COTP) has determined that 
potential hazards associated with the race to be a safety concern for 
anyone within area where the race is taking place. The purpose of this 
rule is to ensure safety of vessels and the navigable waters in the 
special local regulation during the scheduled event.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule

    As noted above, we received no comments on our NPRM, which was 
published on August 7, 2018. There are no changes in the regulatory 
text of this rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
    This rule establishes a special local regulation from 7 a.m. to 
7:30 p.m. on September 15, 2018. The regulation would cover a race 
which would take place on approximately 3.5 miles of the Intracoastal 
Waterway starting near the Shamrock Park & Nature Center and ending 
near the Tamiami Trail Bridge in Venice, FL. The duration of the 
regulation is intended to ensure the safety of vessels and these 
navigable waters during the scheduled 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. race. No 
vessel or person would be permitted to enter the regulated area without 
obtaining permission from the COTP or a designated representative. 
Persons or vessels receiving permission to enter the regulated area 
must comply with the instructions of the COTP or a designated 
representative.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on a number of these statutes and Executive orders, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protestors.

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 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. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, this rule has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB), and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the size, 
location, duration, and time-of-day of the special local regulation. 
Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit through this regulated 
area for urgent situations with COTP approval which impacts a 
designated area of the Intracoastal Waterway for 12.5 hours. Moreover, 
the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners via VHF-FM 
marine channel 16 about the regulation, and the rule allow vessels to 
seek permission to enter the zone.

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 did not receive any comments from the Small 
Business Administration on this rulemaking. 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.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
safety zone may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section 
V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any 
vessel owner or operator.
    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 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.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal 
regulations to the 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.

C. Collection of Information

    This rule will 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 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 rule under that Order and have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive 
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it does 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 rule has implications for federalism or Indian tribes, 
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT 
section.

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

[[Page 44231]]

aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in 
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, which guide the 
Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have determined 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 rule involves 
a special local regulation which temporarily limits access to race 
participants only in certain portions of the Intracoastal Waterway in 
Venice, FL, except in emergency situations. It is categorically 
excluded from further review under paragraph L61 of Appendix A, Table 1 
of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of 
Environmental Consideration supporting this determination is available 
in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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.

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 amends 
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; 33 CFR 1.05-1.


0
2. Add Sec.  100.35T07-0195 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.35T07-0195  Special local regulation; Battle of the Bridges, 
Intracoastal Waterway; Venice, FL.

    (a) Regulated area. A regulated area is established to include a 
race area located on all waters of the Intracoastal Waterway south of a 
line made connecting the following points: 27[deg]06'15'' N, 
082[deg]26'43'' W, to position 27[deg]06'12'' N, 082[deg]26'43'' W, and 
all waters of the Intracoastal Waterway north of a line made connecting 
the following points: 27[deg]03'21'' N, 082[deg]26'17'' W, to position 
27[deg]03'19'' N, 082[deg]26'15'' W. All coordinates are North American 
Datum 1983.
    (b) Definitions. 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 COTP 
St. Petersburg in the enforcement of the regulated areas.
    (c) Regulations. (1) All non-participant persons and vessels are 
prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or 
remaining within the race area unless authorized by the Captain of the 
Port (COTP) St. Petersburg or a designated representative.
    (2) Persons and vessels desiring to enter, transit through, anchor 
in, or remain within the race area may contact the COTP St. Petersburg 
by telephone at (727) 824-7506 or via VHF-FM radio Channel 16 to 
request authorization.
    (3) If authorization to enter, transit through, anchor in, or 
remain within the race area is granted, all persons and vessels 
receiving such authorization shall comply with the instructions of the 
COTP or a designated representative.
    (4) The Coast Guard will provide notice of the regulated areas by 
Local Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to Mariners, or by on-scene 
designated representatives.
    (d) Enforcement period. This rule will be enforced from 7 a.m. 
until 7:30 p.m. on September 15, 2018.

Holly L. Najarian,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Saint Petersburg.
[FR Doc. 2018-18771 Filed 8-29-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P