Special Local Regulations: Delaware River, Big Timber Creek, Westville, NJ
Federal Register: May 8, 2008 (Volume 73, Number 90)
Rules and Regulations
Page 26002-26004
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
DOCID:fr08my08-15
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 100
Docket No. USCG-2008-0278
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulations; Delaware River, Big Timber Creek,
Westville, NJ
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``Westville Parade of Lights'', a marine parade to be held on the waters of the Delaware River and Big Timber Creek, Westville,
NJ. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in a small portion of the Delaware
River and Big Timber Creek during the event.
DATES: This rule is effective from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on June 28, 2008.
ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2008-0278 and are available online at http://www.regulations.gov. They are also available for inspection or copying at two locations: the 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, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, and the Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this temporary rule, call Dennis Sens, Project Manager, Fifth Coast Guard
District, Prevention
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Division, (757) 398-6204. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory Information
We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. Publishing an NPRM would be impracticable and contrary to public interest since immediate action is needed to minimize potential danger to the public during the event. The necessary information to determine whether the marine event poses a threat to persons and vessels was not provided with sufficient time to publish an NPRM. The potential dangers posed by a marine parade formation transiting the waterway with other vessel traffic at night makes special local regulations necessary to provide for the safety of participants, spectator craft and other vessels transiting the event area. For the safety concerns noted, it is in the public interest to have these regulations in effect during the event. The Coast Guard will issue broadcast notice to mariners to advise vessel operators of navigational restrictions. On scene Coast Guard and local law enforcement vessels will also provide actual notice to mariners.
Background and Purpose
On June 28, 2008, the Borough of Westville, New Jersey and the
Westville Power Boat Association will sponsor the ``Westville Parade of
Lights''. Approximately 20 power and sailing vessels will participate in a marine parade that will begin formation in the vicinity of the
Route 130 Bridge and transit Big Timber Creek and terminate where the waterway joins the Delaware River. The event will also include a fireworks display launched from land, with a fallout area extending over the navigable waters of Big Timber Creek, Westville, NJ. Spectator vessels are expected to gather near the event site to view the on water activity. Due to the need for vessel control during the event, vessel traffic will be temporarily restricted to provide for the safety of participants, spectators and transiting vessels.
Discussion of Rule
The Coast Guard will establish temporary special local regulations on specified waters of the Delaware River and Big Timber Creek. The temporary special local regulations will be in effect from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on June 28, 2008. The effect will be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area during the marine event. Except for persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area during the enforcement period. The Patrol Commander will notify the public of specific enforcement times by marine radio safety broadcast. These regulations are needed to control vessel traffic during the event to enhance the safety of spectators and transiting vessels.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 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 not reviewed it under that Order.
Although this regulation restricts vessel traffic from transiting a small portion of the Delaware River and Big Timber Creek during the event, the effect of this regulation will not be significant due to the limited duration that the regulated area will be in effect and the extensive advance notifications that will be made to the maritime community via Local Notice to Mariners and marine information broadcasts. Notice to the public may also be conveyed by local area newspapers, radio and TV stations so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. This rule will affect the following entities, some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit this segment of the Delaware River and Big Timber Creek during the event.
This temporary rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This rule will be in effect for only a short period, from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on June 28, 2008. Although this regulation prevents traffic from transiting a small segment of the Delaware River and Big Timber Creek during the event, this temporary rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This rule would be in effect for only a limited period. Vessel traffic may be able to transit around the regulated area or when event activity is halted, when the Coast Guard Patrol Commander deems it is safe to do so. Before the enforcement period, we will issue maritime advisories so mariners can adjust their plans accordingly.
Assistance for Small Entities
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.
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.
Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for federalism.
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
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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 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.
Taking of Private Property
This rule will not affect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property
Rights.
Civil Justice Reform
This 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.
Protection of Children
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.
Indian Tribal Governments
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.
Energy Effects
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply,
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. The Administrator of the Office of Information and
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.
Technical Standards
The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.
This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.
Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.lD which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction.
Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34)(h), of the Instruction, from further environmental documentation.
A final ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' and a final
``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, and Waterways.
Words of Issuance and Regulatory Text 0
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33
CFR part 100 as follows:
PART 100--REGATTAS AND MARINE PARADES 0 1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233. 0 2. Add a temporary Sec. 100.35-T05-0278 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.35-T05-0278 Delaware River, Big Timber Creek Westville, NJ.
(a) Regulated area includes all waters of Big Timber Creek, shore line to shore line from the Route 130 Bridge northwest to the waterway entrance where Big Timber Creek joins the Delaware River.
(b) Definitions: (1) Coast Guard Patrol Commander means a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the Coast Guard who has been designated by the Commander, Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay.
(2) Official Patrol means any vessel assigned or approved by
Commander, Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay with a commissioned, warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast Guard ensign.
(3) Participant includes all vessels participating in the Westville
Parade of Lights under the auspices of the Marine Event Permit issued to the event sponsor and approved by Commander, Coast Guard Sector
Delaware Bay.
(c) Special local regulations: (1) Except for event participants and persons or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area.
(2) The operator of any vessel in the regulated area must: (i) Stop the vessel immediately when directed to do so by any Official Patrol.
(ii) Proceed as directed by any Official Patrol.
(iii) When authorized to transit the regulated area, all vessels shall proceed at the minimum speed necessary to maintain a safe course that minimizes wake near the event area.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 7 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. on June 28, 2008. A notice of enforcement of this section will be disseminated through the Fifth Coast Guard District Local
Notice to Mariners announcing the specific event date and times. Notice will also be made via broadcast notice to mariners on VHF-FM marine band radio.
Dated: April 16, 2008.
Neil O. Buschman,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District,
Acting.
FR Doc. E8-10227 Filed 5-7-08; 8:45 am
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P
