Rule2025-11494
Special Local Regulation; Elizabeth River, Western Branch, Portsmouth, VA
Primary source
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Published
June 23, 2025
Effective
August 9, 2025
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for certain waters on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, VA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during a high-speed boat race. This rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 118 (Monday, June 23, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 118 (Monday, June 23, 2025)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26429-26431]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-11494]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2025-0404]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Elizabeth River, Western Branch,
Portsmouth, VA
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 waters on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth
River in Portsmouth, VA. This action is necessary to provide for the
safety of life on these navigable waters during a high-speed boat race.
This rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from entering the
regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector
Virginia or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from August 9, 2025 through August 10,
2025. However, it will only be enforced from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each
day it is in effect.
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-
2025-0404 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 LCDR Justin Strassfield, Sector Virginia, Waterways
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard, Telephone: (571) 608-2969; or
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3e48574c595750575f495f4a5b4c495f474d7e4b4d5d5910535752"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="bbcdd2c9dcd2d5d2daccdacfdec9ccdac2c8fbcec8d8dc95d6d2d7">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Sec. Section
SLR Special Local Regulation
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
On February 12, 2025, the Coast Guard received a request, under 33
CFR 100.15, from the Portsmouth Power Boating Association, for a Marine
Event Permit to host a high-speed boat race to be held on August 9-10,
2025, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day, on the Western Branch of the
Elizabeth River in Portsmouth, VA. In response, on May 18, 2025, the
Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) titled
Special Local Regulation; Elizabeth River, Western Branch, Portsmouth,
VA (90 FR 21252). There, we stated why we had issued the NPRM and we
invited comments on our proposed regulatory action related to this
high-speed boat race. During the comment period that ended June 3,
2025, we received one comment.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under the authority in 46
U.S.C. 70041. The Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia (COTP) has
determined that potential hazards associated with a high-speed boat
race will be a safety concern for anyone within the race area of the
Western Branch of the Elizabeth River on August 9-10, 2025. The purpose
of this rule is to ensure safety of vessels on the navigable waters in
the special local regulation (SLR) before, during, and after the
scheduled event.
IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes, and the Rule
As noted above, we received one comment on our NPRM, which was
published at 90 FR 21252 on May 19, 2025. The Captain of the Port,
Sector Virginia (COTP) received the comment via email to the
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c0b6a9b2a7a9aea9a1b7a1b4a5b2b7a1b9b380b5b3a3a7eeada9ac"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ccbaa5beaba5a2a5adbbadb8a9bebbadb5bf8cb9bfafabe2a1a5a0">[email protected]</span></a> inbox and we have posted it in the docket.
The commenter agreed with the size and scope of the SLR, ``provided the
regulation is only in effect for the duration of the event and for a
reasonable time before or after if needed.'' However, they would like
the sponsor of the event to make a ``reasonable effort to inform local
residents and any party who is likely to be affected by the regulation
at least a week in advance,'' and post signs near the event. They would
also like the sponsor of the event to allow a way for members of the
public to provide comments to them and to the Coast Guard and receive
feedback on their comments.
In response, we note that the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia
(COTP) will issue a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNM) at least two
days prior to the event and a Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) three
weeks prior to the event. Along with publication of the NPRM and of
this final rule in the FR, these are the ways we traditionally provide
notice and receive feedback from potential users of the waters which
will be restricted by a special local regulation, and we believe these
ways are sufficient here. We explain how members of the public can
contact the Coast Guard if they wish to request permission to enter the
special local regulation. In addition, we explain in the ``Regulatory
Analysis'' section of this rulemaking how we have determined that this
rule will not have a significant economic impact on any vessel owner or
operator. There are no substantive changes in the regulatory text of
this rule from the proposed rule in the NPRM.
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
[[Page 26430]]
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 size,
location, duration, and time-of-day of the SLR. Vessel traffic will be
able to safely transit around this SLR which will impact a small,
designated area of the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River for a 2-
day event. Moreover, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to
Mariners via VHF-FM marine channel 16 about the zone, and the rule will
allow vessels to seek permission to enter the zone.
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 received no comments from the Small Business
Administration on this rulemaking. 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
SLR 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 will 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.
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 SLR
lasting 2 days that would prohibit entry within a race area. It is
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L61 of
Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A
Memorandum for the Record supporting this determination is available in
the docket. For instructions on locating the docket, see the ADDRESSES
section of this preamble.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, 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.T599-0404 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T599-0404 Special Local Regulation; Western Branch of the
Elizabeth River, Portsmouth, VA
(a) Regulated area. The regulations in this section apply to the
following area: ``All waters of Western Branch of the Elizabeth River,
from surface to bottom, encompassed by a line connecting the following
points 36[deg]50'15.0'' N, 076[deg]22'32.0'' W; 36[deg]50'12.0'' N,
076[deg]22'34.0'' W; 36[deg]50'06.06'' N, 076[deg]22'30.0'' W;
36[deg]50'03.0'' N, 076[deg]21'56.0'' W; 36[deg]50'09.0'' N,
076[deg]21'52.0'' W; 36[deg]50'12.0'' N, 076[deg]21'54.0'' W. These
coordinates are based on WGS 84 coordinates.
(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 a Federal, State, and local officer
designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port Virginia (COTP) in
the enforcement of the regulations in this section.
Participant means any person or vessel registered with the event
sponsor as a participant in the race.
(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 Virginia or their designated
representative.
[[Page 26431]]
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative by VHF/FM Channel 16. Those in the regulated area must
comply with all lawful orders or directions given to them by the COTP
or the designated representative.
(3) Controls on vessel movement. The Event PATCOM or official
patrol vessel may forbid and control the movement of all persons and
vessels in the regulated area(s). When hailed or signaled by an
official patrol vessel, the person or vessel being hailed must
immediately comply with all directions given. Failure to do so may
result in expulsion from the area, citation for failure to comply, or
both.
(4) The COTP will provide notice of the regulated area through
advanced notice via broadcast notice to mariners and by on-scene
designated representatives.
(d) Enforcement period. This section will be enforced on August 9
and 10, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on each day.
Dated: June 12, 2025.
Peggy M. Britton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Virginia.
[FR Doc. 2025-11494 Filed 6-20-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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