Special Local Regulation; Choptank River, Hambrooks Bay, Cambridge, MD

CourtCoast Guard
Citation85 FR 26903
Published date06 May 2020
Record Number2020-09285
Federal Register, Volume 85 Issue 88 (Wednesday, May 6, 2020)
[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 88 (Wednesday, May 6, 2020)]
                [Proposed Rules]
                [Pages 26903-26906]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2020-09285]
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                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
                Coast Guard
                33 CFR Part 100
                [Docket Number USCG-2020-0081]
                RIN 1625-AA08
                Special Local Regulation; Choptank River, Hambrooks Bay,
                Cambridge, MD
                AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
                ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
                -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish temporary special
                local regulations for certain waters of the Choptank River. This action
                is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable
                waters located at Cambridge, MD, during a high-speed power boat racing
                event on July 25, 2020, and July 26, 2020. 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 June 5, 2020.
                ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
                2020-0081 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. Ron 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
                FR Federal Register
                NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
                PATCOM Coast Guard Patrol Commander
                Sec. Section
                U.S.C. United States Code
                II. Background, Purpose, and Legal Basis
                 Kent Narrows Racing Association of Chester, MD, notified the Coast
                Guard that it will be conducting the Thunder on the Choptank from 9:30
                a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 25, 2020, and from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July
                26, 2020. The high-speed power boat racing event consists of
                approximately 50 participating inboard and outboard hydroplane and
                runabout race boats of various classes, 16 to 21 feet in length. The
                vessels will be competing on a designated, marked 1-mile oval course
                located in the Choptank River in a cove located between Hambrooks Bar
                and the shoreline at Cambridge, MD. Hazards from the power boat racing
                event include risks of injury or death resulting from near or actual
                contact among participant vessels and spectator vessels or waterway
                users if normal vessel
                [[Page 26904]]
                traffic were to interfere with the event. Additionally, such hazards
                include participants operating near designated navigation channels, as
                well as operating near approaches to local public boat ramps, private
                marinas and yacht clubs, and waterfront businesses. The COTP Maryland-
                National Capital Region has determined that potential hazards
                associated with the power boat races would be a safety concern for
                anyone intending to participate in this event and for vessels that
                operate within specified waters of the Choptank River.
                 The purpose of this rulemaking is to protect event participants,
                non-participants and transiting vessels before, during, and after the
                scheduled event. The Coast Guard is proposing this rulemaking under
                authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034 (previously 33 U.S.C. 1231).
                III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
                 The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region is proposing to establish
                special local regulations to be enforced from 8:30 a.m. through 6 p.m.
                on July 25, 2020, and from 8:30 a.m. through 6 p.m. on July 26, 2020.
                The regulated area would cover all navigable waters of the Choptank
                River and Hambrooks Bay bounded by a line connecting the following
                coordinates: Commencing at the shoreline at Long Wharf Park, Cambridge,
                MD, at position latitude 38[deg]34'30'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'16'' W;
                thence east to latitude 38[deg]34'20'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'46'' W;
                thence northeast across the Choptank River along the Senator Frederick
                C. Malkus, Jr. (US-50) Memorial Bridge, at mile 15.5, to latitude
                38[deg]35'30'' N, longitude 076[deg]02'52'' W; thence west along the
                shoreline to latitude 38[deg]35'38'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'09'' W;
                thence north and west along the shoreline to latitude 38[deg]36'42'' N,
                longitude 076[deg]04'15'' W; thence southwest across the Choptank River
                to latitude 38[deg]35'31'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'57'' W; thence west
                along the Hambrooks Bay breakwall to latitude 38[deg]35'33'' N,
                longitude 076[deg]05'17'' W; thence south and east along the shoreline
                back to the point of origin.
                 This proposed rule provides additional information about areas
                within the regulated area, and the restrictions that apply to mariners.
                These areas include a ``Race Area,'' ``Buffer Zone'' and ``Spectator
                Area.''
                 The proposed duration of the rule and size of the regulated area
                are intended to ensure the safety of life on these navigable waters
                before, during, and after the high-speed power boat races, scheduled to
                take place from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 25, 2020, and those same
                hours on July 26, 2020. The COTP and the Coast Guard Patrol Commander
                (PATCOM) would have authority to forbid and control the movement of all
                vessels and persons, including event participants, in the regulated
                area.
                 Except for Thunder on the Choptank participants and vessels already
                at berth, a vessel or person would be required to get permission from
                the COTP or PATCOM before entering the regulated area while the rule is
                being enforced. Vessel operators could request permission to enter and
                transit through the regulated area by contacting the PATCOM on VHF-FM
                channel 16. Vessel traffic would be able to safely transit the
                regulated area once the PATCOM deems it safe to do so. A person or
                vessel not registered with the event sponsor as a participant or
                assigned as official patrols would be considered a non-participant.
                Official Patrols are any vessel assigned or approved by the Commander,
                Coast Guard Sector Maryland-National Capital Region with a
                commissioned, warrant, or petty officer on board and displaying a Coast
                Guard ensign.
                 If permission is granted by the COTP or PATCOM, a person or vessel
                would be allowed to enter the regulated area or pass directly through
                the regulated area as instructed. Vessels would be required to operate
                at a safe speed that minimizes wake while within the regulated area.
                Official patrol vessels would direct non-participants while within the
                regulated area.
                 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 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 NPRM has not been
                designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order
                12866. Accordingly, the NPRM 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 size and duration
                of the regulated area, which would impact a small designated area of
                the Choptank River for 19 total enforcement 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
                vessels to seek permission to enter the regulated area, and vessel
                traffic would be able to safely transit the regulated area once the
                PATCOM deems it safe to do so.
                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
                safety zone 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).
                [[Page 26905]]
                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 proposed 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 proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
                Executive Order 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.
                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 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. 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 could negatively impact the safety of waterway users and shore
                side activities in the event area lasting for 19 hours. Normally such
                actions are categorically excluded from further review under paragraph
                L[61] of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01,
                Rev. 01. 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
                submissions in response to this docket, see DHS's Correspondence System
                of Records notice (84 FR 48645, September 26, 2018).
                 Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in the docket,
                and all public comments, will be in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website'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 is
                proposing 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: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05-1.
                0
                2. Add Sec. 100.T05-0081 to read as follows:
                Sec. 100.T05-0081 Thunder on the Choptank, Choptank River, Hambrooks
                Bay, Cambridge, MD.
                 (a) Regulated areas. The regulations in this section apply to the
                following areas:
                 (1) Regulated area. All navigable waters within Choptank River and
                Hambrooks Bay bounded by a line connecting the following coordinates:
                Commencing at the shoreline at Long Wharf Park, Cambridge, MD, at
                position latitude 38[deg]34'30'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'16'' W; thence
                east to latitude 38[deg]34'20'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'46'' W; thence
                northeast across the Choptank River along the Senator Frederick C.
                Malkus, Jr. (US-50) Memorial Bridge, at mile 15.5, to latitude
                38[deg]35'30'' N, longitude 076[deg]02'52'' W; thence west along the
                shoreline to latitude 38[deg]35'38'' N, longitude 076[deg]03'09'' W;
                thence north and west along the shoreline to latitude 38[deg]36'42'' N,
                longitude 076[deg]04'15'' W; thence southwest across the Choptank River
                to latitude 38[deg]35'31'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'57'' W; thence west
                along the Hambrooks Bay breakwall to latitude 38[deg]35'33'' N,
                longitude 076[deg]05'17'' W; thence south and east along the shoreline
                to and terminating at the point of origin. The following locations are
                within the regulated area:
                 (i) Race Area. Located within the waters of Hambrooks Bay and
                Choptank River, between Hambrooks Bar and Great Marsh Point, MD.
                 (ii) Buffer Zone. All waters within Hambrooks Bay and Choptank
                River (with the exception of the Race Area designated by the marine
                event sponsor) bound to the north by the breakwall and continuing along
                a line drawn from the east end of breakwall located at latitude
                38[deg]35'27.6'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'50.1'' W, thence southeast to
                latitude 38[deg]35'17.7'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'29'' W, thence south
                to latitude 38[deg]35'01'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'29'' W, thence west
                to the shoreline at latitude 38[deg]35'01'' N, longitude
                076[deg]04'41.3'' W.
                [[Page 26906]]
                 (iii) Spectator Area. All waters of the Choptank River, eastward
                and outside of Hambrooks Bay breakwall, thence bound by line that
                commences at latitude 38[deg]35'28'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'50'' W;
                thence northeast to latitude 38[deg]35'30'' N, longitude
                076[deg]04'47'' W; thence southeast to latitude 38[deg]35'23'' N,
                longitude 076[deg]04'29'' W; thence southwest to latitude
                38[deg]35'19'' N, longitude 076[deg]04'31'' W; thence northwest to and
                terminating at the point of origin.
                 (2) Coordinates. These coordinates are based on datum NAD 1983.
                 (b) Definitions. As used in this section--
                 Captain of the Port (COTP) 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 COTP to act on his behalf.
                 Coast Guard Patrol Commander (PATCOM) 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.
                 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.
                 Participant means all persons and vessels registered with the event
                sponsor as participating in the Thunder on the Choptank or otherwise
                designated by the event sponsor as having a function tied to the event.
                 (c) Regulations. (1) Except for vessels already at berth, 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 Maryland-
                National Capital Region or PATCOM.
                 (2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP Maryland-National
                Capital Region at telephone number 410-576-2693 or on Marine Band
                Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz) or the PATCOM on Marine Band
                Radio, VHF-FM channel 16 (156.8 MHz). Those in the regulated area must
                comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP
                Maryland-National Capital Region or PATCOM.
                 (3) The COTP Maryland-National Capital Region will provide notice
                of the regulated area through advanced notice via Fifth Coast Guard
                District Local Notice to Mariners, broadcast notice to mariners, and
                on-scene official patrols.
                 (d) Enforcement officials. The Coast Guard may be assisted with
                marine event patrol and enforcement of the regulated area by other
                Federal, State, and local agencies.
                 (e) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from 8:30
                a.m. through 6 p.m. on July 25, 2020, and, from 8:30 a.m. through 6
                p.m. on July 26, 2020.
                 Dated: April 23, 2020.
                Joseph B. Loring,
                Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Maryland-National
                Capital Region.
                [FR Doc. 2020-09285 Filed 5-5-20; 8:45 am]
                 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
                

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