Special Local Regulation; Chickahominy River, Williamsburg, VA

Issuing agencies

Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for navigable waters of the Chickahominy River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Williamsburg, VA during a rowing event. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Virginia (COTP) or their designated representative.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 166 (Friday, August 28, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 166 (Friday, August 28, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55477-55479]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17608]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 100

[Docket Number USCG-2026-1092]
RIN 1625-AA08


Special Local Regulation; Chickahominy River, Williamsburg, VA

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 (SLR) for navigable waters of the Chickahominy River. This 
action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these 
navigable waters near Williamsburg, VA during a rowing event. This 
regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated 
area unless specifically authorized by

[[Page 55478]]

the Captain of the Port Virginia (COTP) or their designated 
representative.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on September 20, 
2026.

ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1092.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, 
contact LCDR Justin Z. Strassfield, Sector Virginia Waterways 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; by phone, at (206) 815-7367, or 
by email, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1147786376787f787046706874636670686251646272763f7c787d"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="8ddbe4ffeae4e3e4ecdaecf4e8fffaecf4fecdf8feeeeaa3e0e4e1">[email&#160;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
SLR Special Local Regulation
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background and Authority

    Coast Guard regulations define ``regatta or marine parade'' as an 
organized water event of limited duration which is conducted according 
to a prearranged schedule. 33 CFR 100.05(a). And, as explained in 33 
CFR 100.15, Coast Guard requires that an organization planning to hold 
a regatta or marine event apply for a permit if the event, by its 
nature, circumstances, or location, will introduce extra or unusual 
hazards to the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United 
States. These permits may be approved by the Coast Guard, or by the 
state in which the event is to take place, if there is a Coast Guard-
State agreement in place. See 33 CFR 100.10. Upon the approval of an 
application, the Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia (COTP) may 
promulgate such ``Special Local Regulations'' (SLR's) as he or she 
deems necessary to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters 
immediately prior to, during, and immediately after the event. See 33 
CFR 100.35(a).
    On April 10, 2026, the Coast Guard received a request under 33 CFR 
100.15 from the Williamsburg Boat Club for a Marine Event Permit to 
host a 4-kilometer-long rowing event. The event will be held from 9 
a.m. through 3 p.m. on September 20, 2026, in Williamsburg, VA. The 
event will include approximately 400 participants.
    The Captain of the Port Virginia (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 rowing event 
include the possibility of participants rowing within the navigable 
channel, as well as the possibility that participants will interfere 
with boaters within the Chickahominy River, and collisions between 
participants and nonparticipants. The purpose of this rulemaking is to 
protect event participants, non-participants, such as spectators and 
transiting vessels before, during, and after the scheduled event.
    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 
to do so in the time since we received sufficient information to be 
able to publish a proposed rule, consider comments, issue a final rule, 
and leave thirty days after that for the rule to take effect by 
September 20, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine 
environment.
    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 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. on 
September 20, 2026. The special local regulation will cover all 
navigable waters of the Chickahominy River between the Highway 5 
Chickahominy River Bridge and Shields Point. No vessel or person will 
be permitted to enter the regulated area 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 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

[[Page 55479]]

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.T599-1092 to read as follows:


Sec.  100.T599-1092  Special Local Regulation; Chickahominy River, 
Williamsburg, VA.

    (a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the 
following regulated area: All waters of the Chickahominy River 
shoreline to shoreline bounded to the South by the Highway 5 
Chickahominy River Bridge over the Chickahominy River and bounded to 
the North by a line drawn from Shields Point, located at 
37[deg]18'19.3'' N, 76[deg]52'25.0'' W, thence west across the 
Chickahominy River to 37[deg]18'18.9'' N, 76[deg]53'10.5'' W. These 
coordinates are based on the North American Datum 83 (NAD 83).
    (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 Virginia (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 877-722-5727. 
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. This section will be enforced from 9 a.m. 
to 3 p.m. on September 20, 2026.

    Dated: August 25, 2026.
Brett R. Workman,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Virginia.
[FR Doc. 2026-17608 Filed 8-27-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


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