Hydroplane races will close a section of Oak Harbor Bay to all other boats

The Coast Guard wants to create a temporary exclusion zone in Oak Harbor Bay, Washington. This zone would close a specific area to all vessels and people not involved in annual hydroplane races.

Local events often require temporary restrictions on public spaces, but this proposal formalizes the Coast Guard's power to enforce such closures for specific recreational activities. It means that for a defined period, the Coast Guard can legally prohibit public access to a navigable waterway for a private event. This shifts the burden of managing safety from event organizers to federal enforcement.