Rule2026-09494
Special Local Regulation; St. Mary's River, St. George's Creek, Piney Point, MD
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 13, 2026
Effective
June 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for certain waters of the St. Mary's River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located at Piney Point, MD, during a two-day, high-speed, power boat demonstration event on June 06, 2026, and June 07, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 92 (Wednesday, May 13, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 26917-26919]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-09494]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0493]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; St. Mary's River, St. George's Creek,
Piney Point, MD
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local
regulation for certain waters of the St. Mary's River. This action is
necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters
located at Piney Point, MD, during a two-day, high-speed, power boat
demonstration event on June 06, 2026, and June 07, 2026. This
regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated
area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port
Maryland-National Capital Region or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is in effect from 8:30 a.m. on June 06, 2026, through
5 p.m. on June 07, 2026. It will only be subject to enforcement,
however, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on each of those two days.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact LCDR Kate Newkirk, Sector Maryland-NCR, Waterways Management
Division, U.S. Coast Guard: telephone 410-576-2525, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#a6ebe2e8e5f4ebc7d4cfc8c3e3d0c3c8d2d5e6d3d5c5c188cbcfca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e8a5aca6abbaa5899a81868dad9e8d869c9ba89d9b8b8fc6858184">[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
SLR Special Local Regulation
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard has received a request, under 33 CFR 100.15, for a
Marine Event Permit to host a high-speed, power boat demonstration
event in Piney Point, MD on June 06, 2026 and June 07, 2026, from 8:30
a.m. to 5 p.m. on both days.
The Captain of the Port Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP) is
issuing this Special Local Regulation (SLR) under the authority in 46
U.S.C. 70041. The COTP has determined that potential hazards associated
with the vintage and historic racing powerboat demonstrations will be a
safety concern for anyone intending to participate in
[[Page 26918]]
this event and for vessels that operate within waters of the St. Mary's
River covered by this rule. If normal vessel traffic were allowed to
interfere with the event, potential hazards would include the risk of
injury or death resulting from near or actual contact among participant
vessels, spectator vessels, or non-participant waterway users. The
purpose of this rulemaking is to ensure the safety of event
participants, non-participants, and transiting vessels before, during,
and after the scheduled event.
As is authorized by 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that
good cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking
(NPRM) with respect to this rule because it is impracticable to do so.
The Coast Guard was notified of this event on March 18, 2026, but we
must establish this SLR by June 06, 2026, to protect personnel,
vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we have do not have
enough time to solicit and respond to comments.
For the same reasons, the Coast Guard finds that under 5 U.S.C.
553(d)(3), good cause exists for making this rule effective less than
30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a temporary SLR from 8:30 a.m. on June 06,
2026, through 5 p.m. on June 07, 2026. It will only be subject to
enforcement, however, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on each of those two
days. The regulated area covers all navigable waters of St. George
Creek. This area starts at Cedar Point, follows the western shoreline
south to Coade Bar, then cuts southeast across the creek to Dodson
Point. From there, it continues north along the eastern shoreline,
including the area near the St. George Island Bridge (SR-249), all the
way up to Long Bar at the entrance to St. George Harbor. The boundary
then wraps northeast across the creek back to Cedar Point, terminating
at the point of origin.
The regulated area is approximately 1,750 yards in length and 940
yards in width. The duration of the special local regulation and size
of the regulated area is intended to ensure the safety of life on these
navigable waters before, during, and after the high-speed power boat
event scheduled to take place from June 06, 2026, and June 07, 2026,
from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on each day. No vessel or person will be
permitted to enter the safety zone without obtaining permission from
the COTP or a designated representative.
IV. 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. Impact on Small Entities
The regulatory flexibility analysis provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that
are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for
good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would
otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's
flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this 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). 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.
B. 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).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
We have analyzed this 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 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 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 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 rule is a special local regulation. 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.
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.T599-0493 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T599-0493 Southern Maryland Boat Club Piney Point Regatta,
St. Mary's River, St. George Creek, Piney Point, MD.
(a) Location. All coordinates are based on datum NAD 1983.
(1) Regulated area. All navigable waters of St. George Creek,
within an area bounded by a line connecting the following points: from
the shoreline at Cedar Point at position latitude 38[deg]09'03.4'' N,
longitude 076[deg]29'55.7'' W; thence south along the shoreline to
Coade Bar at latitude 38[deg]08'22.5'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'19.9''
W; thence southeast across St. George Creek to Dodson Point at latitude
38[deg]08'03.8'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'44.6'' W; thence north along
the shoreline and the eastern extent of the St. George Island (SR-249)
Bridge to Long Bar (at the entrance to St. George Harbor) at latitude
38[deg]08'50.6'' N, longitude 076[deg]30'13.0'' W; thence northeast
across St. George Creek to and
[[Page 26919]]
terminating at the point of origin. The race area, buffer area, and
spectator area are all within the regulated area.
(2) Race area. The race area is a polygon in shape measuring
approximately 700 yards in length by 240 yards in width. The area is
bounded by a line commencing near Hodgson Point at position latitude
38[deg]08'39.80'' N, longitude 076[deg]30'3.13'' W, thence southeast to
latitude 38[deg]08'21.95'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'49.31'' W; thence
southwest to latitude 38[deg]08'18.20'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'56.98''
W, thence northwest to latitude 38[deg]08'36.10'' N, longitude
076[deg]30'10.84'' W; thence northeast to and terminating at the point
of origin.
(3) Buffer area. The buffer area is a polygon in shape measuring
approximately 90 yards in all directions surrounding the entire race
area described in the preceding paragraph of this section. The area is
bounded by a line commencing near Hodgson Point at position latitude
38[deg]08'43.58'' N, longitude 076[deg]30'02.12'' W; thence southeast
to latitude 38[deg]08'21.12'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'44.81'' W, thence
southwest to latitude 38[deg]08'14.68'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'58.24''
W; thence northwest to latitude 38[deg]08'35.95'' N, longitude
076[deg]30'14.33'' W, thence northeast to and terminating at the point
of origin.
(4) Spectator area. The designated spectator area is a polygon in
shape with its length measuring approximately 700 yards and its width
measuring approximately 300 yards at its northern portion and 150 yards
at its southern portion. The area is bounded by a line commencing at
position latitude 38[deg]08'46.86'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'51.07'' W;
thence southeast to latitude 38[deg]08'38.11'' N, longitude
076[deg]29'44.27'' W; thence south to latitude 38[deg]08'26.81'' N,
longitude 076[deg]29'43.01'' W; thence southwest to latitude
38[deg]08'23.50'' N, longitude 076[deg]29'46.50'' W, thence northwest
to latitude 38[deg]08'41.28'' N, longitude 076[deg]30'00.18'' W, thence
northeast to and terminating at the point of origin.
(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 Sector Maryland-National Capital Region (COTP) in
the enforcement of the regulated area. Participant means all persons
and vessels 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 COTP or their designated representative.
(2) To seek permission to enter, contact the COTP or the COTP's
representative on VHF-FM channel 16 or by telephone at 410-576-2525.
Those in the regulated area must comply with all lawful orders or
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated
representative.
(d) Enforcement period[s]. This section will be enforced from 8:30
a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 06, 2026, and from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June
07, 2026.
Dated: May 8, 2026.
Patrick C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Maryland-National
Capital Region.
[FR Doc. 2026-09494 Filed 5-12-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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