Rule2026-18062
Special Local Regulation; Allegheny River Mile Markers 0-3.5 and Ohio River Mile Marker 0-3, Pittsburgh, PA
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
September 3, 2026
Effective
September 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) on the waters of the Allegheny River from mile marker 0 to mile marker 3.5 and the Ohio River from mile marker 0 to mile marker 3 in Pittsburgh, PA. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters from potential hazards during the Pitt Paddle planned on September 6, 2026. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the six-and-a-half- mile regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh or a designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56596-56597]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18062]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-1147]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Allegheny River Mile Markers 0-3.5 and
Ohio River Mile Marker 0-3, Pittsburgh, PA
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) on the waters of the Allegheny River from mile marker
0 to mile marker 3.5 and the Ohio River from mile marker 0 to mile
marker 3 in Pittsburgh, PA. This action is necessary to provide for the
safety of life on these navigable waters from potential hazards during
the Pitt Paddle planned on September 6, 2026. This proposed rulemaking
would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the six-and-a-half-
mile regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port
Pittsburgh or a designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective from 7 a.m. until noon on September 6,
2026.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1147.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
contact Petty Officer Brett Lanzel, MSU Pittsburgh, U.S. Coast Guard;
telephone 206-815-6624, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9cdeeef9e8e8b2d6b2d0fdf2e6f9f0dce9effffbb2f1f5f0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="a5e7d7c0d1d18bef8be9c4cbdfc0c9e5d0d6c6c28bc8ccc9">[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
On August 3, 2026, an organization notified the Coast Guard that
from 8 a.m. to noon on September 6, 2026, they will sponsor the Pitt
Paddle race with approximately 50 participants expected. The event will
be held between Mile Markers 0 and 3.5 on the Allegheny River and Mile
Markers 0 and 3 on the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, PA.
The Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (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 Paddle Race
include the possibility of participants paddling through the navigable
channel and encountering larger recreational and commercial vessels.
The purpose of this rulemaking is to protect event participants, non-
participants, and transiting vessels before, during, and after the
scheduled event.
Because of these potential hazards, 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 and contrary to the public interest.
The Coast Guard was notified of this event on August 3, 2026, but we
must establish this SLR by September 4, 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 7 a.m. until noon on
September 6, 2026. The special local regulation will cover all
navigable waters within six and a half miles of the paddle race, from
Alleghany River mile marker 0 to mile marker 3.5, and from Ohio River
mile marker 0 to mile marker 3. 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.
[[Page 56597]]
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.T899-1147 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T899-1147 Special Local Regulation; Allegheny River Mile
Markers 0-3.5 and Ohio River Mile Marker 0-3, Pittsburgh, PA.
(a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the
following regulated area: All navigable waters on the Allegheny River
between mile marker 0 and mile marker 3.5, and the Ohio River between
mile marker 0 and mile marker 3.
(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 Pittsburgh (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 (412) 670-4288.
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 7 a.m.
to noon on September 6, 2026.
Michael W. Metz,
Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, MSU Pittsburgh.
[FR Doc. 2026-18062 Filed 9-2-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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