Special Local Regulation; Genesee River, Rochester, NY
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Genesee River. The SLR is needed to protect personnel and vessels ...
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Genesee River. The SLR is needed to protect personnel and vessels from potential hazards created by the Rochester, NY Harborfest Water Ski Show on June 20, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from being in the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Eastern Great Lakes or their designated representative.
DATES:
This rule is effective from 11:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on June 20, 2026.
If you have questions about this rule, contact MST1 Ori Martinez, Sector Eastern Great Lakes Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 716-818-7693, or email
D09-SMB-SECBuffalo-WWM@uscg.mil.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
§ Section
SLR Special Local Regulation
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
An organization notified the Coast Guard that they will be holding two water ski shows on the Genesee River near Rochester, NY, on June 20, 2026. Hazards from water ski shows include watercraft and water skiers performing high speed maneuvers and multiple waterway obstructions used to enhance and protect the show.
The Captain of the Port Sector Eastern Great Lakes (COTP) is issuing this Special Local Regulation (SLR) under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041. The COTP has determined that potential hazards associated with the show are a safety concern for anyone within the regulated area. The purpose of this rulemaking is to protect event participants, non-participants, and transiting vessels before, during, and after the scheduled event.
Because of these potential hazards, the Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and comment. As is authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule because it is impracticable. We must establish this SLR by June 20, 2026, to protect personnel and vessels. Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments.
For the same reasons, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the
Federal Register
.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary SLR from 11:45 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. on June 20, 2026. The regulated area would cover all navigable waters encompassing the show event area and require vessels transiting around the special regulated area to operate at a no wake speed. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the regulated area without obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated representative.
( printed page 34155)
IV. 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.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The regulatory flexibility analysis provisions of the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions, contact the person listed in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section. Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 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.
B. 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).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, and have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described in that Order.
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.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this rule will not result in an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for inflation) by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate, or by the private sector.
E. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing instructions, and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series), which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321et seq.), 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 is a special regulated area. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L61.
Special Local Regulation; Genesee River, Rochester, NY.
(a)
Location.
This special local regulation applies to the following regulated area: All waters of Genesee River, from surface to bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following points beginning at 43°15′24.98″ N, 077°36′18.94″ W, thence to 43°15′23.07″ N, 077°36′15.72″ W, thence to 43°15′17.30″ N, 077°36′22.72″ W, thence to 43°15′18.80″ N, 077°36′26.08″ W, and along the shoreline back to the beginning point. Vessels transiting around the special regulated area must operate at a no wake speed, in a manner that will not endanger participants or other crafts in the event. These coordinates are based on the North American Datum 83 (NAD 83).
(b)
Definitions.
As used in this section,
designated representative
means a Coast Guard Patrol Commander, including a Coast Guard coxswain, petty officer, or other officer operating a Coast Guard vessel and a Federal, State, and local officer designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Eastern Great Lakes (COTP) in the enforcement of the regulated area.
Participant
means all persons and vessels registered with the event sponsor as a participant in the race.
(c)
Regulations.
(1) All non-participants are prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the regulated area described in paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or their designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at (888) 230-4703. Those in the regulated area must comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated representative.
(d)
Enforcement period.
This section will be enforced from 11:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on June 20, 2026.
Matthew J. Walter,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Eastern Great Lakes.