Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Kissimmee River, Fort Basinger, FL

Citation84 FR 60916
Record Number2019-24467
Published date12 November 2019
SectionRules and Regulations
CourtCoast Guard
Federal Register, Volume 84 Issue 218 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)
[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 218 (Tuesday, November 12, 2019)]
                [Rules and Regulations]
                [Pages 60916-60917]
                From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
                [FR Doc No: 2019-24467]
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                DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
                Coast Guard
                33 CFR Part 117
                [Docket No. USCG-2019-0821]
                RIN 1625-AA09
                Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Kissimmee River, Fort Basinger,
                FL
                AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
                ACTION: Final rule.
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                SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is removing the existing drawbridge operation
                regulation for the DSX Railroad Bridge (CSX Railroad Bridge) across the
                Kissimmee River, mile 37 near Fort Basinger, Florida. The drawbridge
                was converted to a fixed bridge in 2016 and the operating regulation is
                no longer applicable or necessary.
                DATES: This rule is effective November 12, 2019.
                ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
                available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
                2019-0821. In the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open
                Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking.
                FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
                call or email Mr. Eddie Lawrence, Bridge Administration Branch, United
                States Coast Guard District Seven: Telephone 305-415-6946, email
                [email protected].
                SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
                I. Table of Abbreviations
                CFR Code of Federal Regulations
                DHS Department of Homeland Security
                FR Federal Register
                FL Florida
                Sec. Section
                U.S.C. United States Code
                II. Background Information and Regulatory History
                 The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule without prior notice and
                opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of the
                Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This provision
                authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and
                opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those
                procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public
                interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b), the Coast Guard finds that good
                cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM)
                with respect to this rule because DSX Railroad Bridge that once
                required draw operations in 33 CFR 117.295, was converted to a fixed
                bridge in 2016. Therefore, the regulation is no longer applicable and
                shall be removed from publication. It is unnecessary to publish an NPRM
                because this regulatory action does not purport to place any
                restrictions on mariners but rather removes a restriction that has no
                further use or value.
                 We are issuing this rule under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3). The Coast Guard
                finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than
                30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The bridge has been
                a fixed bridge for three years and this rule merely requires an
                administrative change to the Federal Register in order to omit a
                regulatory requirement that is no longer applicable or necessary. The
                modification has already taken place and the removal of the regulation
                will not affect mariners currently operating on this waterway.
                Therefore, a delayed effective date is unnecessary.
                III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
                 The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority of The Bridge
                Act of 1894, 33 U.S.C. 499.
                 The DSX Railroad Bridge was converted to a fixed bridge in 2016.
                The regulation for the previously existing drawbridge was not removed
                subsequent to the bridge's conversion to a fixed bridge. The conversion
                of this bridge necessitates the removal of the drawbridge operation
                regulation, 33 CFR 117.295, because this drawbridge regulation governs
                a bridge that is no longer able to be opened.
                IV. Discussion of Final Rule
                 The Coast Guard is changing the regulation in 33 CFR 117.295 by
                removing restrictions and the regulatory burden related to the draw
                operations for this bridge, which is no longer a drawbridge. The change
                removes 33 CFR 117.295 in its entirety since the bridge has been
                converted to a fixed bridge. This Final Rule seeks to update the Code
                of Federal Regulations by removing language that governs the operation
                of the DSX Railroad Bridge, which in fact is no longer a drawbridge.
                This change does not affect waterway or land traffic.
                V. Regulatory Analyses
                 We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
                Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
                based on a number of these statutes and
                [[Page 60917]]
                Executive Orders, and we discuss First Amendment rights of protesters.
                A. Regulatory Planning and Review
                 Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the
                costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
                regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
                net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control
                regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been
                designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order
                12866. Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of
                Management and Budget (OMB) and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt
                from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
                 This regulatory action determination is based on the fact that the
                bridge was converted to a fixed bridge and no longer operates as a
                drawbridge. The removal of the operating schedule from 33 CFR 117
                Subpart B will have no effect on the movement of waterway or land
                traffic.
                B. Impact on Small Entities
                 The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
                amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
                regulations on small entities during rulemaking. The term ``small
                entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations
                that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their
                fields, and governmental jurisdictions with populations of less than
                50,000. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule
                will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of
                small entities.
                 For the reasons stated in section V.A above this final rule would
                not have a significant economic impact on any vessel owner or operator.
                 Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
                Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small
                entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your
                small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
                questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please
                contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT,
                above.
                 Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal
                employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal
                regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory
                Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory
                Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and
                rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to
                comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR
                (1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small
                entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or
                action of the Coast Guard.
                C. Collection of Information
                 This rule calls for no new collection of information under the
                Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
                D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Government
                 A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
                Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
                relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
                distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
                government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have
                determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
                principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
                13132.
                 Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive
                Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
                Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on
                one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
                Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
                responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
                E. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
                 The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
                requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary
                regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may
                result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in
                the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for
                inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in
                such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere
                in this preamble.
                F. Environment
                 We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
                Management Directive 023-01, U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning
                Policy COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) and U.S. Coast Guard Environmental
                Planning Implementation Procedures (series) which guide the Coast Guard
                in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA)
                (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f). We have made a determination that this action
                is one of a category of actions that do not individually or
                cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This
                rule promulgates the operating regulations or procedures for
                drawbridges. This action is categorically excluded from further review,
                under paragraph L49, of Chapter 3, Table 3-1 of the U.S. Coast Guard
                Environmental Planning Implementation Procedures.
                 A preliminary Record of Environmental Consideration and a
                Memorandum for the Record are not required for this rule.
                G. Protest Activities
                 The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
                Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
                INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that
                your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or
                security of people, places or vessels.
                List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
                 Bridges.
                 For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
                33 CFR part 117 as follows:
                PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS
                0
                1. The authority citation for part 117 continues to read as follows:
                 Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05-1; Department of Homeland
                Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
                Sec. 117.295 [Removed]
                0
                2. Remove Sec. 117.295.
                 Dated: November 5, 2019.
                Eric C. Jones,
                Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard
                District.
                [FR Doc. 2019-24467 Filed 11-8-19; 8:45 am]
                BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
                

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