                           UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
                      CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION DETERMINATION
                      TEMPORARY SPECIAL LOCAL REGULATION
                          FAJARDO OFFSHORE CHALLENGE
                          RADA, FAJARDO, PUERTO RICO
                           SECTOR SAN JUAN COTP ZONE
                 SECTOR SAN JUAN PREVENTION WATERWAYS DIVISION


This action is not expected to result in any significant adverse environmental impacts as described in the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The proposed action has been thoroughly reviewed by the Coast Guard, and the undersigned have determined this action to be categorically excluded under current Coast Guard CE #34 (h) & #35(b) from further environmental documentation, in accordance with Section 2.B.2 and Figure 2-1 of The NEPA Implementing Procedures, COMDTINST M16475.1D, since implementation of this action will not result in any:

  1.  Significant cumulative impacts on the human environment;
  
  2.  Substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions;
  
  3.  Impacts which are more than minimal on properties protected under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act; 
  
  4.  Inconsistencies with any Federal, State or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment.  See attached checklist.


                                                                                                            PERMIT PROCESSOR
DATE 	ENVIRONMENTAL PREPARER	SSJ WWM STAFF


	 	E. LOPEZ
DATE 	ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEWER	MARINE INFO SPEC

In reaching my decision/recommendation on the USCG's proposed action, I have considered the information contained in this CED (and in any attached environmental checklists or other supplemental environmental analyses) on the potential for environmental impacts.


	                                                                               R. W.  WARREN 
DATE 	RESPONSIBLE OFFICIAL	CAPT, SECTOR SAN JUAN
                                       
                                       
                                       
                                                                
                                                       
                            ENVIRONMENTAL CHECKLIST

Project Description:

  The Coast Guard is establishing a Special Local Regulation (SLR) and issue a Marine Event Permit to the Puerto Rico Offshore Series Inc. for the Fajardo Offshore Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday, April 03, 2015.  This event will include approximately 30 High-Speed boats and will take place within navigable waters of Rada Fajardo; waters frequented by recreational traffic.  This event could potentially cause a threat to the safety of recreational vessels and create a navigational safety hazards for recreational traffic.  The SLR will prohibit persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan Puerto Rico or a designated representative.  The permit and regulation are intended to minimize the chance of accidents, provide protection to the high-speed boat race participants and general public. This rule is effective and will be enforced from 1000 until 1600 on April 03, 2015.
  
  A National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) scoping process was used with selected Federal and State agencies and organizations.  The marine public will be made aware of the event via a "Broadcast Notice to Mariners."
  
  Please see attached file for course locations.

                                       




Part I.  Checklist Analysis:	YES	 NO	NEED			DATA
1.  Is there likely to be a significant effect on public health or safety.  
(p. 5)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
2.  Does the proposed action occur on or near a unique characteristic of the geographic area, such as a historic or cultural resource, park land, prime farmland, wetland, wild and scenic river, ecologically critical area, or property requiring special consideration under 49 U.S.C. 303(c)?  (p. 6)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
3.  Is there a potential for effects on the quality of the environment that are likely to be highly controversial in terms of scientific validity or public opinion?  (p. 7)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
4.  Is there a potential for effects on the human environment that are highly uncertain or involve unique or unknown risks?  (p.7)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
5.  Will the action set a precedent for future actions with significant effects or a decision in principle about a future consideration?  (p. 7)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
6.  Are the action's impacts individually insignificant, but cumulatively significant when considered along with other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future action?  (p. 7)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
7.  Is the proposed action likely to have a significant impact on a district, site, highway, structure, or object that is listed in or eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, or to cause the loss or destruction of a significant scientific, cultural, or historic resource?
(p. 8)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
8.  Will the proposed action have a significant effect on species or habitats protected by Federal law or Executive Order?  (p. 9)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
9.  Is there a potential or threatened violation of a Federal, State, or local law or requirement imposed for the protection of the environment?    (p. 9)
                                       
                                       X
                                       
10.  Is the action likely to have other significant effects on public health and safety or on any other environmental media or resources that are not specifically identified in this checklist?  (p. 10)
                                       
                                       X
                                       








Part II.  Comments or Additional Information Related to Part I:

   * Checklist Item #1: 
         o The event sponsor will provide the following:  (a) rescue boats (b) race course buoy markers, and (c) an emergency ambulance with paramedics on board will remain on shore until completion of the event.  
   * Checklist Item #3: 
         o The following agencies will been notified on this annual event: NOAA Habitat Conservation, NOAA Protected Resources, Department of Natural Resources-Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and NOAA U.S. Fish and Wildlife.
   * Checklist Item #4:
         o NOAA Protected Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and DRNA responded to last years event and agreed that the marine event is not likely to affect Sea Turtles, Marine Mammals, Manatees, and Acroporid Coral once the standard best management practices are implemented by the event sponsor throughout the duration of the event. The marine event will be identical to the one celebrated last year.
   
Part III.  Conclusions:
1.  A CE is recommended for this proposed action.	X	
Comments:  
CE #34(h) is appropriate: Promulgation of the Special Local Regulations. #35(b) Marine Events that are located in, proximate to, or above an area designated as environmentally sensitive by an environmental agency of the Federal state, or local government and for which the USCG determines, based on consultation with the Governmental agency, that the event will not significantly affect the environmentally sensitive area.


2.  An EA is recommended for this proposed action. 		 NO
Comments:


3.  An EIS is recommended for this proposed action. 		NO
Comments:
    



	                                                                           PERMIT PROCESSOR                                                         Date	Preparer/Environmental Project Manager         SSJ WWM STAFF



	 	        E. LOPEZ
Date	    Environmental Reviewer	        MARINE INFO SPEC
