FR 2025-07530

The document is a proposed rulemaking notice from the U.S. Coast Guard to establish temporary safety zones for the Tall Ships Challenge 2025 event in the Great Lakes region. These are planned to surround each tall ship during the event from July 10 to October 1, 2025, to ensure the safety of both participants and spectators. The safety zones are needed because the tall ships, with their traditional rigging, require more time and distance to maneuver compared to modern vessels, making them vulnerable and potentially hazardous in crowded waters.

General Summary

The Coast Guard aims to establish 100-yard safety zones around each tall ship participating in the Tall Ships Challenge 2025. By regulating vessel traffic within this area, they intend to mitigate risks associated with the ships' limited maneuverability. The public can submit their comments on this proposal via the Federal Decision-Making Portal by June 2, 2025.

Significant Issues and Concerns

One issue with the document is its complex language, which could be difficult for the general public to understand. Terms such as "navigable waters" and "cognizant Captain of the Port" may not be clear to all readers. Furthermore, the rule lacks specific enforcement mechanisms or clearly defined consequences for violating the proposed safety zones. Without explicit details on enforcement, there could be confusion or inconsistent application of the rules.

The proposal also allows vessels within safety zones if there isn't enough navigable water, but it does not clearly define what "sufficient navigable water" means, possibly leading to varied interpretations. Although an initial environmental impact analysis was conducted, additional details regarding any potential impacts would help clarify the rule's environmental considerations.

Lastly, while public participation is encouraged, the process of submitting comments might be difficult for those unfamiliar with government processes or navigating the regulations.gov website.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

The document's proposed safety zones aim to broadly protect public safety by preventing accidents during the high-profile event. Spectators and participants in the Tall Ships Challenge will benefit from increased safety measures. However, there could be an inconvenience to small vessel operators and boating enthusiasts who must understand and navigate these temporary regulations.

For specific stakeholders, such as local businesses and tourism operators, the safety zones may positively impact by ensuring the event proceeds smoothly, avoiding negative publicity from potential mishaps. Conversely, they might face temporary disruptions due to the restrictions on waterway access. Ensuring clear communication and providing guidance to small entities and recreational boaters can mitigate negative impacts, allowing them to prepare adequately for the proposed restrictions.

The document related to the Coast Guard's proposed rulemaking for the Tall Ships Challenge 2025 mentions financial considerations in the context of regulatory actions. The primary financial reference is found in the section discussing the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 and the expenditure impacts related to it.

Financial Summary and Context

Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, the document outlines that any regulatory actions undertaken by federal agencies need to consider the financial implications they may have on state, local, or tribal governments, as well as the private sector. Specifically, the Act focuses on actions that might lead to expenditures of $100,000,000 (adjusted for inflation) or more in any one year. The document clarifies that the proposed safety zones for the Tall Ships Challenge 2025 would not result in such an expenditure.

Financial References and Identified Issues

The financial reference to $100,000,000 is used as a benchmark to assess whether the proposed rule would impose significant financial burdens on smaller governmental jurisdictions or organizations. This is important because it signals whether the rule might lead to substantial economic impact requiring further review or action under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act.

However, the document does not provide a detailed cost analysis or the potential financial burden on small entities specifically. The broader context suggests that while the rule is not likely to reach the threshold of $100,000,000, smaller entities could still face financial challenges, particularly in ensuring compliance with new navigation and safety standards around the tall ships.

In addressing the issues identified, it is significant to note that potential confusion or ambiguity regarding permissions and operations within safety zones could impact financial considerations. If the rules lead to unintended violations due to vague definitions like "sufficient navigable water," this could result in unexpected costs for vessel operators who might be small business owners. The document's lack of specificity on enforcement mechanisms may imply indirect financial implications for entities required to meet compliance requirements without clear guidelines.

Overall, while the rules are not classified as creating significant economic impact under federal financial thresholds, for affected small entities, even less pronounced financial burdens could be consequential. The document encourages public participation to address these concerns, although the complexity of federal feedback mechanisms may present obstacles for those not familiar with navigating government portals.