Proposed Rule2026-08708
Special Local Regulations; Marine Events in the Coast Guard Sector Detroit Captain of the Port Zone
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 5, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is proposing to revise its existing regulation to add a new recurring Special Local Regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of Lake Erie. The SLR is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created during an overnight sailboat race. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from transiting within 100 yards of the racing vessels unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24138-24140]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08708]
========================================================================
Proposed Rules
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.
========================================================================
Federal Register / Vol. 91, No. 86 / Tuesday, May 5, 2026 / Proposed
Rules
[[Page 24138]]
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0348]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulations; Marine Events in the Coast Guard
Sector Detroit Captain of the Port Zone
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to revise its existing regulation
to add a new recurring Special Local Regulation (SLR) for certain
navigable waters of Lake Erie. The SLR is needed to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created
during an overnight sailboat race. This proposed rulemaking would
prohibit persons and vessels from transiting within 100 yards of the
racing vessels unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the
Port, Sector Detroit. We invite your comments on this proposed
rulemaking.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before May 20, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To submit comments and view available documents, go to
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0348.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this
proposed rule, contact MST1 Cera Turner, Marine Safety Unit Toledo
Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 419-418-
6050, or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4c087c75611f010e61011f19182320292823611b1b010c393f2f2b62212520"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="3a7e0a03176977781777696f6e55565f5e55176d6d777a4f49595d14575356">[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
The Coast Guard lists annual marine events in the CFR. For USCG
Sector Detroit, SLRs are listed in 33 CFR 100.911. The Invitational
Mills Trophy Race is an overnight sailboat race held annually on an
overnight in June. Hazards from the overnight racing event include
increased vessel congestion due to the number of participants,
restricted maneuverability of racing sailboats, and racing in the
pathway of commercial traffic (ferries). The Captain of the Port Sector
Detroit (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with
overnight sailing event are a safety concern for anyone within 100
yards of the participating vessels. Therefore, the COTP is proposing
this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041, which is needed to
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable
waters within the regulated area. We are providing a comment period of
15 days on the assumption we will have enough time to receive comments,
consider them, make any appropriate changes, and publish a final rule
with enough time to issue a notification of enforcement for this year's
event in June. The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end
of this document.
III. Discussion of the Rule
The COTP is proposing to revise the special local regulations in
the Table 1 to 33 CFR 100.911 to add a new recurring special regulated
area. The SLR is for the annual Invitational Mills Trophy Race and
would cover the three individual races that are part of an overnight
event running from an evening in June into the morning of the following
day. The regulated area would cover all navigable waters within 100
yards of the racing vessels. No vessel or person would be permitted to
enter the regulated area without obtaining permission from the COTP or
their designated representative.
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.
Vessel traffic will be able to safely transit around this regulated
area. This regulation will only impact 100 yards around the racing
vessels. The enforcement period is during a time when vessel traffic is
normally low. In addition, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast
Notice to Marines via VHF FM marine channel 16, which will allow small
entities to adjust their transit plans, and the rule allows 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
[[Page 24139]]
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 will 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 et seq.), 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 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 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-2026-0348 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
Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, 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. Amend Table 1 to Sec. 100.911 by adding an entry for item 16 as
follows:
Sec. 100.911 Special Local Regulations; Marine Events in the Coast
Guard Sector Detroit Captain of the Port Zone.
* * * * *
Table 1 to Sec. 100.911
[COTP Zone Detroit]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sector Detroit special
Event local regulations Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Event Marine Safety Unit Date
Toledo special local
regulations.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* * * * * * *
(16) Invitational Mills Trophy Within 100 yards of An evening in
Race. the participants \1\ June until the
in the race course, morning of the
which includes the following day.
waters of Lake Erie,
from surface to
bottom, encompassed
by a line connecting
the following points
for each of the
following race
courses:
(a) Mills Trophy
Course: starting
from the Toledo
Harbor Light,
proceeding to the
RACON Buoy at the
base of the East
Outer Channel, to
West Sister
Island, to Niagara
Reef Buoy, to
Scott Point Shoal
Light, around the
Sandusky Harbor
(Mosley) Channel
Buoy to Kelleys
Island Shoal Buoy,
to Gull Island
Shoal Buoy to the
BELL Buoy, east of
Middle Bass Island
at position:
41[deg]40'47.2332'
' N,
82[deg]47'40.56''
W, and finishing
at South Bass
Island in
position:
41[deg]39'46.764''
N,
82[deg]48'37.4112'
' W.
(b) President's
Trophy Course:
starting at the
Toledo Harbor
Light, to the
outer Toledo
Channel Buoy to
the Niagara Reef
Buoy to Catawba
Island Buoy to
Mouse Island to
Scott Point Shoal
Light to Ballast
Island at
position:
41[deg]40'46.308''
N,
82[deg]47'8.7576''
W, and finishing
at South Bass
Island in
position:
41[deg]39'46.764''
N,
82[deg]48'37.4112'
' W.
[[Page 24140]]
(c) Governor's Cup
Course: starting
at the Toledo
Harbor Light, to
the outer Toledo
Channel Buoy to
Niagara Reef Buoy
to Catawba Island
Buoy to Mouse
Island to Sandusky
Harbor (Moseley)
Channel Buoy to
Kelley's Island
Buoy then to
Ballast Island at
position:
41[deg]40'46.308''
N,
82[deg]47'8.7576''
W, finishing at
South Bass Island
in position:
41[deg]39'46.764''
N,
82[deg]48'37.4112'
' W.
The regulated area
will move with the
participants as
they transit the
waters.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ Participant means all persons and vessels registered with the event
sponsor as a participant in the race.
Dated: April 7, 2026.
Richard P. Armstrong,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Detroit.
[FR Doc. 2026-08708 Filed 5-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 5, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.