Special Local Regulation; Sandusky Bay, Sandusky, OH

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 100 [Docket Number USCG-2026-0483] RIN 1625-AA08 Special Local Regulation; Sandusky Bay, Sandusky, OH AGENCY: Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security. ACTION: Temporary final rule. SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for certain navigable waters of Sandusky Bay in Sandusky, OH. The SLR is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created during a swim event on July 19, 2026. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit or their designated representative. DATES: This rule is effective from 4 a.m. through 10 a.m. on July 19, 2026. ADDRESSES: To view available documents go to https://www.regulations.gov and search for USCG-2026-0483. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this rule, contact MST1 Cera Turner, Marine Safety Unit Toledo Waterways Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard; telephone 419-418-6050, or email D09-SMB-MSUToledo-WWM@uscg.mil. 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 SLR Special Local Regulation U.S.C. United States Code II. Background and Authority An organization notified the Coast Guard that from 4 a.m. through 10 a.m. on July 19, 2026, they will sponsor a swim event. The Coast Guard received a request under 33 CFR 100.15 from the Ironman World Triathlon Corporation for a Marine Event Permit to host a swim event on a portion of Sandusky Bay in Sandusky, OH. The swim event will include approximately 2400 participants and 65 spectator craft. The Captain of the Port Detroit (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 swim event include number of participants, and limited participant visibility. 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 July 19, 2026, to protect personnel and vessels. Therefore, we do not have enough time to solicit and respond to comments. 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 temporary SLR from 4 a.m. through 10 a.m. on July 19, 2026. The special local regulation will cover all navigable waters of Sandusky Bay extending 400 yards from shore from Jackson St. Pier to the Shelby Street Boat Launch. 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. 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 1. The authority citation for part 100 continues to read as follows: Authority: 46 U.S.C. 70041; 33 CFR 1.05-1. 2. Add § 100.T999-0483 to read as follows: § 100.T999-0483 Special Local Regulation; Sandusky Bay, Sandusky, OH. (a) Location. This special local regulation applies to the following regulated area: All waters of Sandusky Bay, Sandusky OH, from surface to bottom, extending 400 yards from shore from Jackson St. Pier, 41°27′28.854″ N, 82°42′49.5288″ W, northwest to 41°27′39.0456″ N, 82°42′57.0996″ W, then southwest to 41°27′24.8616″ N, 82°43′37.6536″ W then southeast to the Shelby Street Boat Launch at 41°27′11.3724″ N, 82°43′29.4636″ W and continuing back to the starting position. These coordinates are based on the World Geodetic System (WGS 84)/North American Datum 83 (NAD 83). (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 Detroit (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. 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 4 a.m. through 11 a.m. on July 19, 2026. Caren C. Damon, Captain, U. S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Detroit. [FR Doc. 2026-12823 Filed 6-24-26; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110-04-P