Special Local Regulations: ``Winston Offshore Cup, San Juan, Puerto Rico

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[CGD07 99-056]

RIN 2115-AE46

Special Local Regulations: ``Winston Offshore Cup, San Juan,

Puerto Rico

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: Temporary special local regulations are being proposed for the

Winston Offshore Cup, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The event will be held

from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time (AST) on October 10,

1999, in and north of San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico. These regulations

are needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during

the event.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 16, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander, U.S. Coast Guard

Greater Antilles Section (aton), P.O. Box S-3666, San Juan, Puerto

Rico, 00902, or may be delivered to the Aids to Navigation Office at

the Coast Guard Base in Old San Juan between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The telephone number is

(787) 729-5381.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Reyes at (787) 729-5381.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in

this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments.

Persons submitting comments should include their name and address,

identify this rulemaking (CGD07-99-056) and the specific section of

this proposal to which each comment applies, and give a reason for each

comment.

The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the

comment period. It may change this proposal in the view of the

comments. The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request

a public hearing by writing to the address under ADDRESSES. The request

should include the reasons why a hearing would be beneficial. If the

Coast Guard determines that the opportunity for oral presentations will

aid this rulemaking, it will hold a public hearing at the time and

place announced by a notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

These proposed regulations would create a regulated area in an

north of San Juan Harbor that would prohibit entry to non-participating

vessels. The participating race boats will be competing at high speeds

with numerous spectator craft in the area, creating an extra or unusual

hazard on the navigable waterways. These regulations are required to

provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the Winston

Offshore Cup, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Regulatory Evaluation

This proposed regulation 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)(f) of

that order. The Office of Management and Budget has excepted it from

review under that order. It is not significant under the regulatory

policies and procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT (44FR

11040; February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact

of this proposal to be so minimal that a full regulatory evaluation

under paragraph 10e of the regulated policies and procedures of DOT is

unnecessary. The regulated area will only be in effect for three and

one half hours in the vicinity of San Juan Harbor, Puerto Rico.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) the

Coast Guard

must consider whether this proposed rulemaking will have a significant

economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small

entities include small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that

are independently owned and operated and are not dominant under their

fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than

50,000.

Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.605(b) that this

proposed rule will not have a significant economic impact on a

substantial number of small entities, as the regulations will only be

in effect for approximately three and one half hours on one day in a

limited area of San Juan Harbor and its vicinity.

Collection of Information

This proposed rule contains no collection of information

requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et

seq.).

Federalism

This proposed action has been analyzed in accordance with the

principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has

been determined that this rulemaking does not have sufficient

federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism

Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

The Coast Guard has considered the environmental impact of this

proposed rule consistent with Figure 2-1, paragraph 34(h) of Commandant

Instruction M16475.1C, and has determined that this action has been

categorically excluded from further environmental documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100

Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and recordkeeping

requirements, Waterways.

Proposed Regulations

In consideration of the foregoing, the Coast Guard proposes to

amend part 100 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations as follows:

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

follows:

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233 through 1236; 49 CFR 1.46; 33 CFR

100.35.

2. Add temporary Sec. 100.35T-07-056 to read as follows:

Sec. 100.35T-07-056 Winston Offshore Cup, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

(a) Regulated Area: A regulated area is established for an area

starting in San Juan Bay, out the bay entrance around Punta El Morro,

then East 2 nautical miles to Penon San Jorge, then back around the

bay. The regulated area is established beginning at 18 deg.28'4''N,

066 deg.08'0''W, then North to 18 deg.28'9''N, 066 deg.08'0''W, then

East to 18 deg.28'7''N, 066 deg.05'5''W, then South to 18 deg.28'2''N,

066 deg.05'5''W, then directly South to the Shore. This area includes

San Juan Bay, except San Antonio Approach Channel, San Antonio channel,

Army Terminal Channel, Army Terminal Turning Basin, and Puerto Nuevo

Channel, and Graving Dock Channel. All coordinates referenced use

Datum: NAD 1983.

(b) Special Local Regulations: Entry into the regulated area by

other than event participants is prohibited, unless otherwise

authorized by the Patrol Commander. Spectator craft are required to

remain in a spectator area to be established by the event sponsor

Puerto Rico Offshore Tour, San Juan, Puerto Rico.

(c) Dates: This section is effective at 12 p.m. and terminates at

3:30 p.m. AST on October 10, 1999.

Dated: July 22, 1999.

G.W. Sutton,

Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, Seventh Coast Guard

District.

[FR Doc. 99-19690 Filed 7-30-99; 8:45 am]

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