Drawbridge operations: Florida,

[Federal Register: October 10, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 197)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 58642-58644]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr10oc03-24]

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-03-141]

RIN 1625-AA09

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Biscayne Bay, Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Miami River, Miami-Dade County, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the regulations governing the operation of the East and West Spans of the Venetian Causeway bridges across the Miami Beach Channel on the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, and the Brickell Avenue and Miami Avenue bridges across the Miami River, Miami-Dade County. This proposed rule would allow these bridges to remain in the closed position during the running of the Miami Tropical Marathon on February 1, 2004.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before November 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander (obr), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 SE. 1st Ave, Room 432, Miami, FL 33131, which maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in the preamble as being available in the docket, are part of

[CGD07-03-141] and are available for inspection or copying at Commander (obr), Seventh Coast Guard District, 909 SE. 1st Avenue, Room 432, Miami, FL 33131 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Barry Dragon, Seventh Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 909 SE. 1st Ave Miami, FL 33131, telephone number 305-415-6743.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related material. If you

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do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking [CGD07-03-141], indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.

Public Meeting

We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. However, you may submit a request for a meeting by writing to Bridge Branch, Seventh Coast Guard District, at the address under ADDRESSES explaining why one would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

Background and Purpose

The Miami Tropical Marathon Director has requested that the Coast Guard temporarily change the existing regulations governing the operation of the East and West Spans of the Venetian Causeway bridges, and the Brickell Avenue and Miami Avenue bridges to allow them to remain in the closed position during the running of the Miami Tropical Marathon on February 1, 2004. The marathon route passes over these four bridges and any bridge opening would disrupt the race. Based on the limited time the bridges would be closed, the Coast Guard believes it can accommodate the request while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

The East and West Spans of the Venetian Causeway bridges are located between Miami and Miami Beach. The current regulation governing the operation of the East Span of the Venetian Causeway bridge is published in 33 CFR 117.269 and requires the bridge to open on signal; except that, from November 1 through April 30 from 7:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. and from 4:45 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Monday through Friday, the draw need not be opened. However, the draw shall open at 7:45 a.m., 8:15 a.m., 5:15 p.m., and 5:45 p.m., if any vessels are waiting to pass. The draw shall open on signal on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Washington's Birthday. Moreover, the bridge must open for public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, regularly scheduled cruise vessels, and vessels in distress.

The regulation governing the West Span of the Venetian Causeway bridge is published in 33 CFR 117.5 and requires the bridge to open on signal.

The operating schedule of the Brickell Avenue and Miami Avenue bridges is published in 33 CFR 117.305 and requires each bridge to open on signal; except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday except Federal holidays, the draws need not be opened for the passage of vessels. Public vessels of the United States and vessels in an emergency involving danger to life or property are allowed to pass at any time.

We believe that this proposed rule would not adversely affect the reasonable needs of navigation due to the limited time the bridges would be in the closed position.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the operating regulations of the East and West Spans of the Venetian Causeway bridges, and the Brickell Avenue and Miami Avenue bridges on February 1, 2004. This proposed rule would allow the East Span of the Venetian Causeway bridge to remain closed from 6:05 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. on February 1, 2004. The proposed rule would allow the West Span of the Venetian Causeway to remain closed from 6:15 a.m. to 9:20 a.m. on February 1, 2004. The Brickell Avenue bridge would be allowed to remain closed from 7:10 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. on February 1, 2004. The Miami Avenue bridge would be allowed to remain closed from 6:25 a.m. to 10 a.m. on February 1, 2004. Public vessels of the United States and vessels in distress shall be passed at anytime.

Regulatory Evaluation

This proposed rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not reviewed it under that Order. It is not ``significant'' under the regulatory policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the policies and procedures of the Department of Homeland Security is unnecessary. The short duration of time during the morning of February 4, 2004 that the bridges will remain in the closed position to facilitate the running of the marathon will have little, if any, economic impact.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this proposed rule would have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 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 proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because the proposed rule will only be in effect for a limited period of time and race committee officials are working with affected parties to minimize the impact of this proposed rule.

If you think that your business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what degree this rule would economically affect it.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we want to assist small entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If this proposed rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please consult the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.

Collection of Information

This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.).

Federalism

A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and

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determined that it does not have implications for federalism.

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 or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

This proposed rule would not affect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

This proposed rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, because it would 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.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations that Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use of energy. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Environment

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42.U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the Instruction. Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (32)(e), of the Instruction, from further environmental documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

Bridges.

Regulations

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR part 117 as follows:

PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS

1. The authority citation for part 117 continues to read as follows:

   Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); section 117.255 also issued under authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.

2. From 6:15 a.m. until 9:20 a.m. on February 1, 2004, in Sec. 117.261, suspend paragraph (nn) and add temporary paragraph(vv) to read as follows:

   Sec. 117.261 Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway from St. Marys River to Key Largo.

   * * * * *

   (vv) West Span of the Venetian Causeway, mile 1088.6 at Miami. The draw need not open from 6:15 a.m. until 9:20 a.m. on February 1, 2004. Public vessels of the United States and vessels in distress shall be passed at anytime.

   Sec. 117.269 [Suspended]

3. From 6:05 a.m. until 8:40 a.m. on February 1, 2004, temporarily suspend Sec. 117.269.

4. From 6:05 a.m. until 8:40 a.m. on February 1, 2004, add a new Sec. 117.T270 to read as follows:

   Sec. 117.T270 Biscayne Bay.

   The draw of the East Span of the Venetian Causeway bridge across Miami Beach Channel need not open from 6:05 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. on February 1, 2004. Public vessels of the United States and vessels in distress shall be passed at anytime.

   Sec. 117.305 [Suspended]

5. From 6:25 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. on February 1, 2004, temporarily suspend Sec. 117.305.

6. From 6:25 a.m. until 11:59 a.m. on February 1, 2004, add a new Sec. T117.306 to read as follows:

   Sec. 117.T306 Miami River.

   (a) The draw of each bridge from the mouth to and including the NW. 27th Avenue bridge, mile 3.7 at Miami, except the Miami Avenue and Brickell Avenue bridges, shall open on signal: except that, from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday except Federal holidays, the draws need not be opened for the passage of vessels.

   (b) The Miami Avenue bridge, across the Miami River, need not open from 6:25 a.m. to 10 a.m. on February 1, 2004 and the Brickell Avenue bridge, across the Miami River, need not open from 7:10 a.m. to 11:59 a.m. on February 1, 2004. Public vessels of the United States and vessels in an emergency involving danger to life or property shall be passed at any time.

   Dated: September 18, 2003. H.E. Johnson, Jr., Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District.

   [FR Doc. 03-25682 Filed 10-9-03; 8:45 am]

   BILLING CODE 4910-15-P