The Coast Guard will now manage an unsanctioned river party in Michigan
What happened
The Coast Guard is creating a temporary safety zone on the St. Clair River in Michigan. This zone will control boat traffic during an annual, unsanctioned "float down" event.
Why it matters
Every year, thousands of people float down the St. Clair River on inner tubes and rafts. This event is not permitted or organized, but it draws a huge crowd. The Coast Guard is stepping in to manage the safety of this event, even though it is not officially sanctioned. This means the government is taking on responsibility for an event it does not approve of, simply because it happens.
The signal
Watch whether the Coast Guard continues to establish these safety zones for future unsanctioned events, or if local authorities try to ban the event entirely.