Proposed Rule2026-08712

Special Local Regulation; Marine Events in the Coast Guard Sector Detroit Captain of the Port Zone

Primary source

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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 Sandusky Bay. The SLR is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created during a swim event in Sandusky Bay. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from transiting the regulated area unless specifically authorized by Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 86 (Tuesday, May 5, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 24142-24143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-08712]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2026-0471]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulation; 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.

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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 Sandusky Bay. The SLR is needed to protect 
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards 
created during a swim event in Sandusky Bay. This proposed rulemaking 
would prohibit persons and vessels from transiting the regulated area 
unless specifically authorized by 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 June 4, 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-2026-0471.

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#4b0f7b72661806096606181e1f24272e2f24661c1c060b3e38282c65262227"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="4501757c6816080768081610112a2920212a6812120805303626226b282c29">[email&#160;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 IRONMAN 70.3 
Ohio event is held annually one day in July on a portion of Sandusky 
Bay in Sandusky, OH. Hazards from the swim event include limited 
participant visibility and number of participants. The Captain of the 
Port Sector Detroit (COTP) has determined that potential hazards 
associated with the swim event are a safety concern for event 
participants and recreational vessel operators transiting Sandusky Bay. 
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. 
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 
Table 1 to 33 CFR 100.911 to add a new recurring special regulated 
area. The SLR is for the annual IRONMAN 70.3 OHIO event and would cover 
one event occurring in July. The regulated area would cover all the 
navigable waters of Sandusky Bay extending 400 yards from shore from 
Jackson St. Pier to the Shelby Street Boat Launch. 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.
    This regulation will only impact a small area for a few hours. 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 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,

[[Page 24143]]

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-2026-0471 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 18 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.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                              * * * * * * *
(18) IRONMAN 70.3 OHIO........  All waters of Sandusky  One day July.
                                 Bay, Sandusky OH,
                                 from top to bottom,
                                 extending 400 yards
                                 from shore from
                                 Jackson St. Pier,
                                 41[deg]27'28.854'' N,
                                 82[deg]42'49.5288''
                                 W, northwest to
                                 41[deg]27'39.0456''
                                 N,
                                 82[deg]42'57.0996''
                                 W, then southwest to
                                 41[deg]27'24.8616''
                                 N,
                                 82[deg]43'37.6536'' W
                                 then southeast to the
                                 Shelby Street Boat
                                 Launch at
                                 41[deg]27'11.3724''
                                 N,
                                 82[deg]43'29.4636'' W
                                 and continuing back
                                 to the starting
                                 position.
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    Dated: April 22, 2026.
Richard P. Armstrong,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Detroit.
[FR Doc. 2026-08712 Filed 5-4-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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