A. The Department may authorize the holding of regattas, motorboat or other boat races on any waters of this State. It shall adopt and may, from time to time, amend regulations concerning the safety of motorboats and other vessels and persons thereon, either observers or participants. Whenever a regatta, motorboat or other boat race is proposed to be held, the person in charge thereof, shall, at least 30 days prior thereto, file an application with the Department for permission to hold such regatta, motorboat or other boat race. The application shall set forth the date, time and location where it is proposed to hold such regatta, motorboat or other boat race and it shall not be conducted without authorization of the Department in writing.
     B. When a regatta, motorboat or other boat race authorized or proposed to be authorized under subsection A of this Section is to be held on a body of water owned and operated by a unit of local government, the unit of local government may schedule those events, but only after adopting an ordinance providing for such scheduling and filing it with the Department.
     C. The provisions of this Section do not exempt any person from compliance with applicable Federal law or regulation, but nothing contained herein may be construed to require the securing of a State permit pursuant to this Section if a permit therefor has been obtained from an authorized agency of the United States.