Proposed Rule2025-23085
Special Local Regulation; Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, WI
Primary source
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Published
December 17, 2025
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is proposing to update special local regulations (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Milwaukee River. The SLR update is needed to make the regulations more accurate and to continue to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a boat race. This proposed rulemaking would delete an outdated SLR for the Milwaukee Open Water Swim and update the Milwaukee River Challenge to change the date from "1 day; the third Saturday of September." to "1 day; on or around early October." We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 240 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 240 (Wednesday, December 17, 2025)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58539-58541]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-23085]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2025-0936]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Milwaukee River, Milwaukee, WI
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to update special local
regulations (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Milwaukee River.
The SLR update is needed to make the regulations more accurate and to
continue to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from
potential hazards created by a boat race. This proposed rulemaking
would delete an outdated SLR for the Milwaukee Open Water Swim and
update the Milwaukee River Challenge to change the date from ``1 day;
the third Saturday of September.'' to ``1 day; on or around early
October.'' We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before January 16, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To submit comments and view available documents, go to the
Federal Docket Management System at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and
search for USCG-2025-0936.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rule, contact LCDR Lynn Schrayshuen, Sector Lake Michigan
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 414-378-
0111, or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a0ecd9cece8eed8ef3c3c8d2c1d9d3c8d5c5cee0d5d3c3c78ecdc9cc"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="b0fcc9dede9efd9ee3d3d8c2d1c9c3d8c5d5def0c5c3d3d79eddd9dc">[email protected]</span></a>.
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
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
On September 24, 2025, the Coast Guard met with the event sponsors
for the Milwaukee River Challenge and confirmed that their event, which
is in its 24th year, will occur annually on or around the beginning of
October due to reduced conflict with recreational and commercial
vessels during that timeframe. The Captain of the Port Sector Lake
Michigan (COTP) is proposing to update the Special Local Regulations in
Table 1 to 33 CFR 100.903 for recurring marine events in the COTP Zone
to reflect this change and to eliminate outdated regulations. The COTP
is proposing these updates under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041 and
33 CFR 1.05-1, as they are needed to protect personnel, vessels, and
the marine environment in the navigable waters within the regulated
area. The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this
document.
[[Page 58540]]
III. Discussion of the Rule
This proposed rule would update the date for an established special
regulated area in Table 1 to 33 CFR 100.903, the Milwaukee River
Challenge, from ``1 day; the third Saturday of September.'' to ``1 day;
on or around early October.'' The event title and the location of the
regulated area would remain the same. No vessel or person would be
permitted to enter the regulated area without obtaining permission from
the COTP or their designated representative. The proposed rule also
would delete the Milwaukee Open Water Swim from the regulatory text in
Table 1 (currently Item 6), as this event no longer occurs. 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.
A. 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 for the following reasons.
This regulation would only impact the Milwaukee River for less than
8 hours. The enforcement period would be during a time when vessel
traffic is normally low. In addition, the Coast Guard would issue a
Broadcast Notice to Marines via VHF FM marine channel 16, which would
allow small entities to adjust their transit plans, and the rule would
allow vessels to request permission to enter the regulated area from
the COTP.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed 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 proposed rule would economically affect it.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this proposed rule will
affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction
and you have questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section. Small businesses may send comments to the
Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the
Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 1-888-
REG-FAIR (1-888-734-3247).
B. Collection of Information
This proposed rule will not call for a new collection of
information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-
3520).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, and have determined that it is consistent with the
fundamental federalism principles and preemption requirements described
in that Order.
Also, this proposed 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.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
As required by The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C.
1531-1538), the Coast Guard certifies that this proposed rule would not
result in an annual expenditure of $100,000,000 or more (adjusted for
inflation) by a State, local, or tribal government, in the aggregate,
or by the private sector.
E. 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
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 proposed rule is an update to a special regulated area. It is
categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L61.
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.
Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments through
the Federal Docket Management System at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. To
do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG-2025-0936 in the
search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the
Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment
option. If you cannot submit your material by using <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate
instructions.
Viewing material in the docket. To view available documents, find
the docket as described in the previous paragraph, and then select
``Supporting & Related Material'' in the Document Type column. We will
post public comments in our online docket. Additional information is on
the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> Frequently Asked Questions web page.
Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we
post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions
to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking
System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
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. Revise Sec. 100.903 Table 1 to read as follows:
[[Page 58541]]
Sec. 100.903 Recurring marine events in the Lake Michigan Captain of
the Port Zone.
* * * * *
Table 1 to Sec. 100.903--Sector Lake Michigan Special Local Regulations
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Event Location \1\ Enforcement date \2\
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(1) Harborfest Dragon Boat Race......... South Haven, MI: All waters of the Black 2 days; in mid-to-late
River, within an area bound by the June.
following coordinates: 42[deg]24.227' N,
086[deg]16.683' W, then southeast to
42[deg]24.210' N, 086[deg]16.667' W, then
northeast to 42[deg]24.320' N,
086[deg]16.442' W, then northwest to
42[deg]24.337' N, 086[deg]16.457' W, then
returning to the point of origin.
(2) Summer in the City Waterski Show.... Green Bay, WI: All waters of the Fox River Each Wednesday of July and
from the Main Street Bridge to the West August.
Walnut Street Bridge between coordinates:
44[deg]31.089' N, 088[deg]00.904' W, then
southwest to 44[deg]30.900' N,
088[deg]01.091' W.
(3) Celebrate Americafest Ski Show...... Green Bay, WI: All waters of the Fox River 1 day; on or around July
from the West Walnut Street Bridge to the 4.
mouth of the East River between
coordinates: 44[deg]30.912' N,
088[deg]01.100' W, then northeast to
44[deg]31.337' N, 088[deg]00.640' W.
(4) Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival.... Grand Haven, MI: All waters of the Grand 2 weeks; in late July and/
River, within an area bound by the or early August.
following coordinates: 43[deg]04.000' N,
086[deg]14.200' W, then east to
43[deg]03.933' N, 086[deg]14.067' W, then
south to 43[deg]03.750' N,
086[deg]14.167' W, then west to
43[deg]03.800' N, 086[deg]14.283' W, then
returning to the point of origin.
(5) Milwaukee Venetian Boat Parade...... Milwaukee, WI: All waters of Lake Michigan 1 day; the third Saturday
within the Milwaukee Harbor and the of August.
Milwaukee River from McKinley Marina,
along the Veteran's Park shoreline, to
the Milwaukee Art Museum between
coordinates: 43[deg]02.066' N,
087[deg]52.966' W, then southwest to
43[deg]02.483' N, 087[deg]53.683' W, then
south to 43[deg]02.366' N,
087[deg]53.700' W.
(6) Sister Bay Marinafest Ski Show...... Sister Bay, WI: All waters of Sister Bay 1 day; the last week of
within an 800 foot radius of the August or first week of
following coordinates: 45[deg]11.585' N, September.
087[deg]07.392' W.
(7) Milwaukee Harborfest Boat Parade.... Milwaukee, WI: All waters of the Milwaukee 1 day; the first or second
River from the North Holton Street Bridge weekend of September.
to the confluence with the Kinnickinnic
River between coordinates: 43[deg]03.284'
N, 087[deg]54.267' W, then south to
43[deg]01.524' N, 087[deg]54.173' W and
All water of the Kinnickinnic River from
the confluence with the Milwaukee River
to the Municipal Mooring Basin between
coordinates: 43[deg]01.524' N,
087[deg]54.173' W, then south to
43[deg]00.829' N, 087[deg]54.075' W.
(8) Milwaukee River Challenge........... Milwaukee, WI: All waters of the Milwaukee 1 day; on or around early
River from the confluence with the October.
Menomonee River and the East Pleasant
Street Bridge between coordinates:
43[deg]04.451' N, 087[deg]50.503' W; then
northwest to 43[deg]04.738' N,
087[deg]51.445' W; then southwest to
43[deg]02.848' N, 087[deg]52.772' W; then
returning to the point of origin.
(9) Chinatown Chamber of Commerce Dragon Chicago, IL: All waters of the South 2 days; the second Friday
Boat Race. Branch of the Chicago River from the West and Saturday of July.
18th Street Bridge to the Amtrak Bridge
between coordinates: 41[deg]51.467' N,
087[deg]38.100' W, then southwest to
41[deg]51.333' N, 087[deg]38.217' W.
(10) Southland Regatta.................. Blue Island, IL: All waters of the Calumet 2 days; the first Sunday
Sag Channel from the South Halstead of November and the
Street Bridge to the Crawford Avenue Saturday prior to it.
Bridge between coordinates:
41[deg]39.450' N, 087[deg]38.483' W, then
southwest to 41[deg]39.083' N,
087[deg]43.483' W and All waters of the
Little Calumet River from the Ashland
Avenue Bridge to the junction of the
Calumet Sag Channel between coordinates:
41[deg]39.117' N, 087[deg]39.633' W, then
northeast to 41[deg]39.374' N,
087[deg]39.001' W.
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\1\ All coordinates listed in Table 1 of this section reference Datum NAD 1983.
\2\ As noted in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, the enforcement dates and times for each of the listed safety
zones are subject to change.
Rhianna. N. Macon,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 2025-23085 Filed 12-16-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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