# 2026-17608: Coast Guard Locks Down Chickahominy River for Rowing Race Safety

2026-17608, Special Local Regulation; Chickahominy River, Williamsburg, VA, is a Federal Register rule from Homeland Security Department, Coast Guard published 2026-08-28, effective 2026-09-20; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-09-04).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17608
- As of: 2026-09-04
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-17608
- Title: Special Local Regulation; Chickahominy River, Williamsburg, VA
- Type: Rule
- Agencies: Homeland Security Department; Coast Guard
- Citation: 91 FR 55477
- Published: 2026-08-28
- Effective: 2026-09-20
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1625-AA08
- Last updated: 2026-09-04

## In one line

Coast Guard Locks Down Chickahominy River for Rowing Race Safety

## Summary

On September 20, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Coast Guard will temporarily block off part of the Chickahominy River near Williamsburg, VA, to keep everyone safe during a rowing event. Only people or boats with special permission can enter the area during this time. This means boaters should plan ahead to avoid the zone and stay safe without any extra costs.

## Abstract

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation (SLR) for navigable waters of the Chickahominy River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Williamsburg, VA during a rowing event. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Virginia (COTP) or their designated representative.

## Effects PRIA read

- Temporary boating exclusion on Chickahominy: cost, low. If you plan to boat on the Chickahominy River near Williamsburg, VA, you may not enter, transit through, anchor in, or remain in the waters between the Highway 5 Chickahominy River Bridge and Shields Point from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 20, 2026, unless the Captain of the Port Virginia (COTP) o…
- Protected waters for race participants: benefit, low. If you are a registered participant in the Williamsburg Boat Club rowing event (about 400 participants), the regulated area between the Highway 5 bridge and Shields Point will be reserved and enforced for your safety from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on September 20, 2026. The rule defines a "participant" as p…
- How to request access during the event: benefit, low. If you need permission to enter the regulated area during the event, you must obtain authorization from the Captain of the Port Virginia or their designated representative by contacting them on VHF-FM channel 16 or by phone at 877-722-5727. This permission procedure applies during the enforcement p…

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## Sources
- [2026-17608 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/28/2026-17608/special-local-regulation-chickahominy-river-williamsburg-va)
- [2026-17608 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-08-28/pdf/2026-17608.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-17588, Safety Zones; Annual Events Requiring Safety Zones in the Captain of the Port L…](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17588)
- [Next: 2026-17615, Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron Canada Limited Helicopters](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17615)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-17608 (as of 2026-09-04).