2026-18062: Special Local Regulation; Allegheny River Mile Markers 0-3.5 and Ohio River Mile Marker 0-3, Pittsburgh, PA
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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.
The agency’s own summary, as published.
The rule, in full
1,414 words as published, September 03, 2026. View the original →
Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 170 (Thursday, September 3, 2026) [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 [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 2026-18062] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. -----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 https://www.regulations.gov 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 [email protected].
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
What this changes
Amends 1 part of the Code of Federal Regulations — the standing rules this notice rewrites.
Rulemaking docket
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Rule September 03, 2026Special Local Regulation; Allegheny River Mile Markers 0–3.5 and Ohio River Mile Marker 0–3, Pittsburgh, PA
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Supporting & Related Material September 03, 2026DSS-USCG-2026-26150
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Supporting & Related Material September 03, 2026DSS-USCG-2026-26150
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Rule September 03, 2026Special Local Regulation; Allegheny River Mile Markers 0–3.5 and Ohio River Mile Marker 0–3, Pittsburgh, PA
Documents
- Full text (Federal Register) · September 03, 2026
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