Proposed Rules. Notice of proposed rulemaking

Agency: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
Action: Notice of proposed rulemaking
Citation: FR Doc. 2026-08715 · RIN 1625-AA08 · Docket Number USCG-2026-0349 · 33 CFR 100

Summary

The Coast Guard is proposing to revise its existing regulation to add a new recurring Special Local Regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of the Maumee River. The SLR is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created during a paddle event on the Maumee River. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from transiting the regulated area unless specifically authorized by Captain of the Port, Sector Detroit. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

Dates

Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard on or before May 20, 2026.

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 § Section U.S.C. United States Code II. Background and Authority The Coast Guard lists annual marine events in the CFR. For USCG Sector Detroit, SLRs are listed in 33 CFR 100.911. The Paddle and Groove events are held annually from June through October on a portion of the Maumee River in Toledo, OH. Hazards from the paddle event include increased vessel congestion due to the number of participants, and racing in the pathway of commercial traffic. The Captain of the Port Sector Detroit (COTP) has determined that potential hazards associated with the paddle event are a safety concern for anyone in the vicinity of the participating vessels. Therefore, the COTP is proposing this rule under the authority in 46 U.S.C. 70041, which is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment in the navigable waters within the regulated area. We are providing a comment period of 15 days on the assumption we will have enough time to receive comments, consider them, make any appropriate changes, and publish a final rule with enough time to issue a notification of enforcement for this year's event in June. The regulatory text we are proposing appears at the end of this document. III. Discussion of the Rule The COTP is proposing to revise the special local regulations in Table 1 to 33 CFR 100.911 to add a new recurring special regulated area. The SLR is for the annual Paddle and Groove event and would cover multiple events occurring from June through October. The regulated area would cover all navigable waters of the Maumee River from riverbank to riverbank and extending from the Robert Craig Memorial Bridge to the Glass City River Wall. No vessel or person would be permitted to enter the regulated area without obtaining permission from the COTP or their designated representative. IV. Regulatory Analyses We developed this proposed 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 Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the potential impact of regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term “small entities” comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than 50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons. This regulation will only impact a small area for a few hours. In addition, the Coast Guard will issue a Broadcast Notice to Marines via VHF FM marine channel 16, which will allow small entities to adjust their transit plans, and the rule allows vessels to request permission to enter the regulated area from the COTP. If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES ) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this proposed rule would economically affect it. Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this proposed 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). B. Collection of Information This proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed 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 proposed rule is a special regulated area. It is categorically excluded from further review under paragraph L61. V. Public Participation and Request for Comments We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking and will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation. Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments at https://www.regulations.gov. To do so, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-2026-0349 in the search box and click “Search.” Next, look for this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment option. If you cannot submit your material by using https://www.regulations.gov, call or email the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this proposed rule for alternate instructions. Viewing material in the docket. To view available documents, find the docket as described in the previous paragraph, and then select “Supporting & Related Material” in the Document Type column. We will post public comments in our online docket. Additional information is on the https://www.regulations.gov Frequently Asked Questions web page. Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov will include any personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions to the docket in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020). 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 is proposing to amend 33 CFR part 100 as follows: PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON NAVIGABLE WATERS 1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows: Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05-1. 2. Amend Table 1 to § 100.911 by adding an entry for item 17 as follows: § 100.911 Special Local Regulations; Marine Events in the Coast Guard Sector Detroit Captain of the Port Zone. Table 1 to § 100.911 [COTP Zone Detroit] Event Sector Detroit special local regulations Date * * * * * * * Event Marine Safety Unit Toledo special local regulations Date * * * * * * * (17) Paddle and Groove (series) All waters of the Maumee River, Toledo, OH from surface to bottom, encompassed from riverbank to riverbank following the Maumee River that connects the Craig Memorial Bridge at position 41°39′37.623″ N, 83°30′42.908″ W to the Glass City River Wall in position 41°37′36.397″ N, 83°31′52.431″ W Multiple events from June through October. Dated: April 7, 2026. Richard P. Armstrong, Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Detroit. [FR Doc. 2026-08715 Filed 5-4-26; 8:45 am]