Rule2026-19653
Special Local Regulation; Milwaukee River and Menomonee River, Milwaukee, WI
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 25, 2026
Effective
October 3, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Milwaukee River and Menomonee River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters in Milwaukee, WI, during the Milwaukee River Challenge event on October 3, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan or their designated representative.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 185 (Friday, September 25, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 185 (Friday, September 25, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 60826-60827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19653]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 100
[Docket Number USCG-2026-1129]
RIN 1625-AA08
Special Local Regulation; Milwaukee River and Menomonee River,
Milwaukee, WI
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 certain navigable waters of the Milwaukee River
and Menomonee River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety
of life on these navigable waters in Milwaukee, WI, during the
Milwaukee River Challenge event on October 3, 2026. This regulation
prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless
specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan
or their designated representative.
DATES: This rule is effective on October 3, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 3:30
p.m.
ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> and search for USCG-2026-1129.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule,
call or email MSTC Dylan Caikowski, Sector Lake Michigan, Waterways
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone (571) 608-0739, or
email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2561151c087668670876404669444e40684c464d4c42444b0872726865505646420b484c49"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="f3b7c3cadea0beb1dea09690bf929896be9a909b9a94929ddea4a4beb386809094dd9e9a9f">[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
An organization notified the Coast Guard that on October 3, 2026,
from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., they will sponsor a large-scale rowing race
in Milwaukee, WI. The Coast Guard received a request under 33 CFR
100.15 from the Milwaukee Riverwalk District for a Marine Event Permit
to host the rowing race. The rowing race will include approximately 150
rowing vessels.
The Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan (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
large-scale rowing race include the possibility of participants racing
within the navigable channel, as well as the possibility that
participants rowing within approaches to local public and private boat
facilities might collide with or otherwise interfere with boaters near
those facilities. 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. We must establish this SLR by October
3, 2026, to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment.
Therefore, we 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 on October 3, 2026, from 8
a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The special local regulation will cover all navigable
waters of the Milwaukee River from the confluence with the Menomonee
River and the Humboldt Avenue Bridge between coordinates:
43[deg]01.915' N, 087[deg]54.627' W, then north to 43[deg]03.425' N,
087[deg] 53.882' W and all navigable waters of the Menomonee River from
the North 25th Street Bridge to the confluence with the Milwaukee River
between coordinates: 43[deg]01.957' N, 087[deg]56.682' W, then east to
43[deg]01.915' N, 087[deg]54.627' W. 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).
[[Page 60827]]
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.T999-1129 to read as follows:
Sec. 100.T999-1129 Special Local Regulation; Milwaukee River and
Menomonee River, Milwaukee, WI.
(a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the
following regulated area: All waters of the Milwaukee River from the
confluence with the Menomonee River and the Humboldt Avenue Bridge
between coordinates: 43[deg]01.915' N, 087[deg]54.627' W, then north to
43[deg]03.425' N, 087[deg]53.882' W, and all navigable waters of the
Menomonee River from the North 25th Street Bridge to the confluence
with the Milwaukee River between coordinates: 43[deg]01.957' N,
087[deg]56.682' W, then east to 43[deg]01.915' N, 087[deg]54.627' 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 Lake Michigan (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 (414) 747-7182.
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 on October 3,
2026, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Rhianna N. Macon,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Sector Lake Michigan.
[FR Doc. 2026-19653 Filed 9-24-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 25, 2026.
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