Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; New Jersey Offshore Grand Prix

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD 05-98-006]

RIN 2115-AE46

Special Local Regulations for Marine Events; New Jersey Offshore

Grand Prix

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending permanent special local

regulations established for the New Jersey Offshore Grand Prix, a

marine event held annually in the Atlantic Ocean along the coast of New

Jersey between Asbury Park and Seaside Park, by identifying the

specific date on which the regulated area will be in effect. This

action is intended to provide more accurate notice of the date on which

the event will occur.

DATES: This final rule is effective on July 15, 1998.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

S. L. Phillips, Project Manager, Operations Division, Auxiliary

Section, at (757) 398-6204.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

On February 27, 1998, the Coast Guard published a notice of

proposed rulemaking entitled Special Local Regulations for Marine

Events; New Jersey Offshore Grand Prix, in the

[[Page 39236]]

Federal Register (63 FR 9979). The Coast Guard received no comments on

the proposed rulemaking. No public hearing was requested, and none was

held.

Background and Purpose

33 CFR 100.505 established special local regulations for the New

Jersey Offshore Grand Prix, a marine event held annually in the

Atlantic Ocean along the coast of New Jersey between Asbury Park and

Seaside Park. The purpose of these regulations is to control vessel

traffic during the event to enhance the safety of participants,

spectators, and transiting vessels. In the past, these regulations were

implemented by publishing a notice in the Federal Register.

Discussion of Comments and Charges

The Coast Guard received no comments on the proposed rulemaking.

Good Cause Statement

This final rule is effective in less than 30 days because it is

contrary to the public interest to delay the effective date because

timely action is required to protect participants and other vessel

traffic during the event.

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. It

has been exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget

under that order. It 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

final rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under

paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is

unnecessary. This rule merely identifies the effective period of an

existing regulation and does not impose any new restrictions on vessel

traffic.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-602), the Coast

Guard must consider whether this rule will have a significant economic

impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small entities''

include independently owned and operated small businesses that are not

dominant in their field and that otherwise qualify as ``small business

concerns'' under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).

This rule does not impose any new restrictions on vessel traffic, but

merely identifies the effective period of the regulation. Therefore,

the Coast Guard certifies under Section 605(b) of the Regulatory

Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-602) that this final rule will not have a

significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Colleciton of Information

This final rule contains no collection of information requirements

under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under the principles and

criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that

this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant

the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule

and concluded that, under figure 2-1, paragraph (34) (h) of COMDTINST

M16475.1C, this rule is categorically excluded from further

environmental documentation. Special local regulations issued in

conjunction with a regatta or marine parade are excluded under that

authority.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

Marine Safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Waterways.

For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33

CFR Part 100 as follows:

PART 100--[AMENDED]

1. The authority citation for Part 100 continues to read as

follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233; 49 CFR 1.46 and 33 CFR 100.35.

2. Section 100.505 is amended by revising paragraph (b) to read as

follows:

Sec. 100.505 New Jersey Offshore Grand Prix.

* * * * *

(b) Effective Period: This section is effective annually on the

third Wednesday in July. If the event is canceled due to weather, this

section is effective the following day. The Coast Guard Patrol

Commander will announce by Broadcast Notice to Mariners the specific

time periods during which the regulations will be enforced.

* * * * *

Dated: July 8, 1998.

Rogert T. Rufe, Jr.,

Vice Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.

[FR Doc. 98-19425 Filed 7-21-98; 8:45 am]

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