Rule2026-10176
Safety Zone; Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, VA
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 21, 2026
Effective
June 19, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on a portion of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in the vicinity of the Great Bridge Bridge, in Chesapeake, Virginia. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards which might arise during blank cannon fire. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia or their designated representative.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 98 (Thursday, May 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29910-29911]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-10176]
[[Page 29910]]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0616]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, Chesapeake, VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
navigable waters on a portion of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal in
the vicinity of the Great Bridge Bridge, in Chesapeake, Virginia. The
safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards which might arise during blank
cannon fire. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited
unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector
Virginia or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from June 19, 2026, through June 21,
2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-0616.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact LCDR Justin Strassfield, Sector Virginia Waterways Management
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (206) 815-7367, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cc86b9bfb8a5a2e296e29fb8beadbfbfaaa5a9a0a88cb9bfafabe2a1a5a0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d37080e0914135327532e090f1c0e0e1b141811193d080e1e1a53101411">[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
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
The Coast Guard has been notified that a Tall Ship will arrive at
the Great Bridge Battlefield on the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal, and
that it will fire blank cannon fire from the vessel while in the
federal channel. Hazards from the cannon fire include being hit by
dangerous projectiles. The Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia (COTP)
has determined that potential hazards associated with cannon fire are a
safety concern for anyone within 250 yards of the vessel from which the
canon is fired. Therefore, the COTP is issuing this rule, under the
authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034, to protect personnel, vessels, and the
marine environment in the navigable waters within the safety zone from
harm which might arise from the firing of blank cannons.
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule without prior notice and
comment. 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. The Coast Guard was notified of this event on May 15,
2026, but we must establish this safety zone by June 19, 2026, to
protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment. Therefore, we
do not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments.
In addition, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that
there is good cause, due to a lack of time, for making this rule
effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
III. Discussion of the Rule
This rule establishes a safety zone which will be in effect from
June 19 through June 21. It will only be subject to enforcement,
however, from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. on June 19, 2026, and on June 20,
2026, and June 21, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
until 3:30 p.m. on both days. The safety zone will reduce the
likelihood of harm to people, vessels, and the environment from mishaps
involving blank cannon fire. It will cover waters of the Albemarle and
Chesapeake Canal in the vicinity of the bridge on Battlefield Boulevard
in Great Bridge, in the City of Chesapeake, Virginia. The coordinates
of the safety zone are provided in the text of the regulation below. No
vessel or person will be permitted to enter the safety zone without
obtaining permission from the COTP or their 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
[[Page 29911]]
category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human environment.
This rule is a safety zone. It is categorically excluded from
further review under paragraph L60(c) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165
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 165 as follows:
PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS
0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70034, 70051, 70124; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-
1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Add Sec. 165.T05-0616 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-0616 Safety Zone; Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal,
Chesapeake, VA.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: all navigable
waters of the Albemarle and Chesapeake Canal within the following
positions: 36[deg]43'14.711'' N, 076[deg]14'14.177'' W;
36[deg]43'12.404'' N, 076[deg]14'14.181'' W; 36[deg]43'14.525'' N,
076[deg]14'22.752'' W; 36[deg]43'16.010'' N, 076[deg]14'23.041'' W.
These coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System (WGS 84).
(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 with law enforcement authority
designated by or assisting the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia
(COTP) in the enforcement of the safety zone.
(c) Regulations. (1) Under the general safety zone regulations in
subpart C of this part, you may not enter the safety zone described in
paragraph (a) of this section unless authorized by the COTP or the
COTP's 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 877-722-5727.
Those in the safety zone must comply with all lawful orders or
directions given to them by the COTP or the COTP's designated
representative.
(d) Enforcement period. This rule is effective from June 19, 2026,
through June 21, 2026. This section will only be enforced, however,
from 6 p.m. until 7 p.m. on June 19, 2026, and on June 20, 2026, and
June 21, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. until
3:30 p.m. on both days.
Peggy M. Britton,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia.
[FR Doc. 2026-10176 Filed 5-20-26; 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 21, 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.