Rule2025-11173
Special Local Regulation; New Orleans Offshore Grand Prix; Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans, LA
Primary source
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Published
June 17, 2025
Effective
June 24, 2025
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for certain navigable waters of Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans, LA. This action is necessary to protect race participants, spectators, first responders, and the general public from the hazards created by the New Orleans Offshore Grand Prix on the navigable waters of the United States during the event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone would be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans (COTP) or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 115 (Tuesday, June 17, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 25484-25486]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11173]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2025-0263]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; New Orleans Offshore Grand Prix; Lake
Pontchartrain, New Orleans, LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local
regulation for certain navigable waters of Lake Pontchartrain, New
Orleans, LA. This action is necessary to protect race participants,
spectators, first responders, and the general public from the hazards
created by the New Orleans Offshore Grand Prix on the navigable waters
of the United States during the event. Entry of vessels or persons into
this zone would be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the
Port Sector New Orleans (COTP) or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from June 24, 2025, through June 29,
2025, and will be enforced from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-
2025-0263 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, in the Document
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call or email Lieutenant Commander Xiaobin Tuo, Sector New Orleans,
U.S. Coast Guard; 504-365-2246, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#8bd3e2eae4e9e2e5a5dffee4cbfef8e8eca5e6e2e7"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a4fccdc5cbc6cdca8af0d1cbe4d1d7c7c38ac9cdc8">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
BNM Broadcast Notice to Mariners
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port New Orleans
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
LNM Local Notice to Mariners
MSIB Marine Safety Information Bulletin
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary rule under the authority
in 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This statutory provision authorizes an agency to
issue a rule without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the
agency for good cause finds that those procedures are ``impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' The Coast Guard
finds that good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule. Prompt action is needed to
make this temporary regulation effective prior to the start of the
event on June 24, 2025, to provide for safety of persons and vessels
during the event. It is impracticable to publish an NPRM because there
is insufficient time to receive, consider, and respond to public
comments before the start date.
Also, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good
cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the effective date of
this rule is impracticable and contrary to public interest because
prompt action is needed to respond to the potential safety hazards
associated with New Orleans Offshore Grand Prix boat race.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 46 U.S.C.
70041. The COTP Sector New Orleans has determined that potential
hazards associated with the New Orleans Offshore Grand Prix boat race
starting June 24, 2025, will be a safety concern
[[Page 25485]]
for anyone within the following coordinates: 30[deg]01.87900' N,
090[deg]06.36500' W to 30[deg]02.52700' N, 090[deg]06.31800' W to
30[deg]02.71800' N, 090[deg]08.95700' W to 30[deg]01.30300' N,
090[deg]09.20700' W. This regulation will help ensure the safety of
vessels and personnel on the navigable waters before, during, and after
the scheduled event by ensuring that spectator vessels remain clear of
the race area during the event.
IV. Discussion of the Rule
The COTP is establishing a temporary special local regulation in
Lake Pontchartrain, New Orleans, LA from June 24, 2025, through June
29, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The race zone will encompass all
navigable waters within the following coordinates on Lake
Pontchartrain, New Orleans, LA: 30[deg]01.87900' N, 090[deg]06.36500' W
to 30[deg]02.52700' N, 090[deg]06.31800' W to 30[deg]02.71800' N,
090[deg]08.95700' W to 30[deg]01.30300' N, 090[deg]09.20700' W. The
special local regulation aims to ensure the safety of vessels and
personnel upon the navigable waters of the specified waterway before,
during, and after the scheduled marine event. Only predesignated
vessel(s) or person(s) participating in the event will be permitted
within the regulated area. Spectator vessel(s) or person(s) may not
enter the regulated area without obtaining permission from the COTP or
a designated representative A designated representative means any Coast
Guard commissioned, warrant, or petty officer of the U.S. Coast Guard
assigned to units under the operational control of Sector New Orleans;
to include a Federal, State, and/or local officer designated by or
assisting the COTP in the enforcement of the special local regulation.
Persons and vessels permitted to enter this area must transit at their
slowest safe speed and comply with all lawful directions issued by the
COTP or the designated representative. Spectator vessels will not be
allowed to anchor, block, loiter, or impede the through transit of
participants or a designated patrol vessel in the regulated area during
the effective dates and times, unless cleared for entry by the COTP or
the designated representative. Spectator vessels may anchor outside the
regulated area to observe the event.
The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control the
movement of all vessels in the regulated area. Vessels hailed or
signaled by a designated patrol vessel, must stop and comply with any
directions given. Failure to do so might result in expulsion from the
area, citation for failure to comply, or both. The COTP or a designated
representative might terminate the event or the operation of any vessel
at any time it is deemed necessary for the protection of life or
property. The COTP or a designated representative will terminate
enforcement of the special local regulations at the conclusion of the
event.
The COTP or a designated representative may inform the public of
the effective period of the special local regulation or changes to
dates and times of enforcement through the use of Local Notice to
Mariners (LNM), Broadcast Notices to Mariners (BNMs), and/or Marine
Safety Information Bulletins (MSIBs) as appropriate.
V. 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. Regulatory Planning and Review
Executive Orders 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and 13563
(Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) 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 13563 emphasizes the importance of
quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing
rules, and of promoting flexibility.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has not designated this
rule a ``significant regulatory action,'' under section 3(f) of
Executive Order 12866. Accordingly, OMB has not reviewed it.
This regulatory action determination is based on the following
considerations. During events, this regulation excluding vessels and
persons from the race area will be enacted for short, predetermined
periods of time. Persons and vessels may enter, transit through, or
anchor in this area with authorization from the Captain of the Port.
Vessels will also be able to safely transit around the regulated area.
The Coast Guard will also provide advance notification of the
regulations to the local community by MSIBs, BNMs, and designation of
Patrol Commanders.
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 rule
will 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
V.A above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any
vessel owner or operator.
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 rule. If the rule will affect your small
business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please
call or email the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
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.
C. 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).
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 rule under that Order and have
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132.
[[Page 25486]]
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.
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 rule will not result in
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere
in this preamble.
F. 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. 4321-4370f), 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 involves a
special local regulation for a high-speed boat race which will exclude
non-participant vessels from entering the race area on Lake
Pontchartrain during specified hours over a six-day period. Normally
such actions are categorically excluded from further review under
paragraph L61 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-
001-01, Rev. 1.
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 amends
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.T899-0263 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T899-0263 New Orleans Offshore Grand Prix, Lake
Pontchartrain, New Orleans, LA.
(a) Regulated area. The regulations in this section apply to the
following area: All waters of Lake Pontchartrain, from surface to
bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following points beginning
at 30[deg]01.87900' N, 090[deg]06.36500' W to 30[deg]02.52700' N,
090[deg]06.31800' W to 30[deg]02.71800' N, 090[deg]08.95700' W to
30[deg]01.30300' N, 090[deg]09.20700' W and back to the beginning
point. These coordinates are based on the 1984 World Geodetic System
(WGS 84).
(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 any Federal, State, or local officer
designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port New Orleans in the
enforcement of the special local regulation.
Participant means all persons and vessels registered with the event
sponsor as participants or official patrol vessels.
(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 Captain of the Port New Orleans or their designated
representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter the regulated area, contact the
COTP or the COTP's representative by (504) 365-2545 or VHF-FM Channel
16 or 67. Any spectator permitted to enter the regulated area must
comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP
or the designated representative.
(3) No spectator vessel is allowed to anchor, block, loiter, or
impede the through transit of participants or a designated
representative in the regulated area during the effective dates and
times, unless cleared for entry by the COTP or the designated
representative.
(4) The COTP or a designated representative may forbid and control
the movement of all vessels in the regulated area. When hailed or
signaled by a designated representative, a vessel shall come to an
immediate stop and comply with the directions given. Failure to do so
may result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply,
or both.
(5) The COTP or a designated representative may terminate the event
or the operation of any vessel at any time if it is deemed necessary
for the protection of life or property. The COTP or designated
representative will conclude enforcement of the special local
regulations at the conclusion of the event.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced from June 24,
2025, through June 29, 2025, between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. daily.
Dated: June 10, 2025.
G.A. Callaghan,
CAPTAIN, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector New Orleans.
[FR Doc. 2025-11173 Filed 6-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on June 17, 2025.
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