Rule2026-17978
Safety Zone; Bay Bridge Paddle; Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, MD
Primary source
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Published
September 2, 2026
Effective
September 13, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay, adjacent to the shoreline at Sandy Point State Park and between and adjacent to the spans of the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridges, near Annapolis, MD. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with a kayak race. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland--National Capital Region (NCR), or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 169 (Wednesday, September 2, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56374-56376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17978]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 165
[Docket Number USCG-2026-1126]
RIN 1625-AA00
Safety Zone; Bay Bridge Paddle; Chesapeake Bay, Annapolis, MD
AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for
navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay, adjacent to the shoreline at
Sandy Point State Park and between and adjacent to the spans of the
William P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridges, near Annapolis, MD. The safety
zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine
environment from potential hazards associated with a kayak race. Entry
of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically
authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland--National
Capital Region (NCR), or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on September 13,
2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1126.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact MST1 Zachary Rudy, Sector Maryland NCR Waterways Management
Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 443-257-4011, or email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#6933080a01081b10473a473b1c0d10291c1a0a0e47040005"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f556e6c676e7d76215c215d7a6b764f7a7c6c6821626663">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
COTP Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland--National Capital Region
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NCR National Capital Region
NPRM Notice of proposed rulemaking
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background and Authority
On May 7, 2026, the Coast Guard received notification that a paddle
boat race will be taking place in the Chesapeake Bay, from the
shoreline at Sandy Point State Park and between and adjacent to the
spans of the William P. Lane Jr. Memorial Bridges. The Captain of the
Port, Sector Maryland--National
[[Page 56375]]
Capital Region (COTP) has determined that potential hazards, such as
collisions with transiting vessels, are a safety concern for anyone
within the designated race area and is issuing this rule to protect
personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters
within the safety zone from those hazards. The COTP is issuing this
rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70034.
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. There has been insufficient time to solicit and respond
to comments, and publish a final safety zone by September 13, 2026,
when it must be in place to serve its intended purpose.
For the same reason, 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 safety zone on September 13, 2026. The
safety zone will cover all navigable waters of the Chesapeake Bay
between and adjacent to the spans of the William P. Lane Jr. memorial
bridges, from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the north by a line
drawn from the western shoreline at latitude 39[deg]01'05.23'' N,
longitude 076[deg]23'47.93'' W; thence eastward to latitude
39[deg]01'02.08'' N, longitude 076[deg]22'40.24'' W; thence
southeastward to eastern shoreline at latitude 38[deg]59'13.70'' N,
longitude 076[deg]19'-58.40'' W; and bounded to the south by a line
drawn parallel and 500 yds south of the south bridge span that
originates from the western shoreline at latitude 39[deg]00'17.08'' N,
longitude 076[deg]24'28.36'' W; thence southward to latitude
38[deg]59'38.36'' N, longitude 076[deg]23'59.67'' W; thence eastward to
latitude 38[deg]59'26.93'' N, longitude 076[deg]23'25.53'' W; thence
eastward to the eastern shoreline at latitude 38[deg]58'40.32'' N,
longitude 076[deg]20'10.45'' W. The regulated area will be enforced
from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. noon on September 13, 2026. Vessels and
persons will not be allowed to enter the zone during this time, unless
authorized by the Captain of the Port.
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 safety zone. It is categorically excluded from
further review under paragraph L60(a) of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1. A Record of Environmental
Consideration supporting this determination is available in the docket.
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.T05-1126 to read as follows:
Sec. 165.T05-1126 Safety Zone; Bay Bridge Paddle; Chesapeake Bay,
Annapolis, MD.
(a) Location. The following area is a safety zone: All waters of
the Chesapeake Bay between and adjacent to the spans of the William P.
Lane Jr. memorial bridges, from shoreline to shoreline, bounded to the
north by a line drawn from the western shoreline at latitude
39[deg]01'05.23'' N, longitude 076[deg]23'47.93'' W; thence eastward to
latitude 39[deg]01'02.08'' N, longitude 076[deg]22'40.24'' W; thence
southeastward to eastern shoreline at latitude 38[deg]59'13.70'' N,
longitude 076[deg]19'-58.40'' W; and bounded to the south by a line
drawn parallel and 500 yds south of the south bridge span that
originates from the western shoreline at latitude 39[deg]00'17.08'' N,
longitude 076[deg]24'28.36'' W; thence southward to latitude
38[deg]59'38.36'' N, longitude 076[deg]23'59.67'' W; thence eastward to
latitude
[[Page 56376]]
38[deg]59'26.93'' N, longitude 076[deg]23'25.53'' W; thence eastward to
the eastern shoreline at latitude 38[deg]58'40.32'' N, longitude
076[deg]20'10.45'' 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 designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland NCR (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 (443) 257-4011.
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 section will be enforced from 8 a.m.
to 1 p.m. on September 13, 2026.
Dated: August 31, 2026.
Patrick C. Burkett,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-NCR.
[FR Doc. 2026-17978 Filed 9-1-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 2, 2026.
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