Drawbridge operations: Massachusetts,

[Federal Register: November 16, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 220)]

[Rules and Regulations]

[Page 67056-67058]

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

[DOCID:fr16no04-12]

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-04-096]

RIN 1625-AA09

Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Annisquam River, Danvers River, Fore River, and Saugus River, MA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has changed the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the operation of four Massachusetts Highway Department bridges; the Blynman (SR127) Bridge, mile 0.0, across the Annisquam River; the Kernwood Bridge, mile 1.0, across the Danvers River; the Quincy Weymouth SR3A Bridge, mile 2.8, across the Fore River; and the Fox Hill (SR107) Bridge, mile 2.5, across the Saugus River, Massachusetts. This final rule allows the four bridges to operate on an advance notice basis from noon to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day each year. This action is expected to allow the draw tenders to spend the holiday with their families while still meeting the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: This rule is effective on November 25, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket (CGD01-04-096) and are available for inspection or copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02110, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Gary Kassof, Bridge Administrator, First Coast Guard District, (212) 668-7165.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

On September 1, 2004, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled Drawbridge Operation Regulations, Annisquam River, Danvers River, Fore River, and Saugus River, Massachusetts, in the Federal Register (69 FR 53376). The Coast Guard provided a 30-day comment period to the public to comment on the proposed rule. We received no comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking. No public hearing was requested and none was held.

Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. The Coast Guard believes making this final rule effective less than 30 days after publication, in time for Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2004, is reasonable because there have been no requests to open these bridges on Thanksgiving Day in past years and any mariner requiring a bridge opening during the advance notice time period on Thanksgiving Day noon to 6 p.m. need only provide the one- hour advance notice for a bridge opening at any time.

[[Page 67057]]

Background and Purpose

Annisquam River and Blynman Canal

The Blynman (SR127) Bridge, mile 0.0, across the Annisquam River has a vertical clearance of 7 feet at mean high water and 16 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The existing operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.586.

Danvers River

The Kernwood Bridge, at mile 1.0, across the Danvers River has a vertical clearance of 8 feet at mean high water and 17 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The existing operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.595(c).

Fore River

The Quincy Weymouth (SR3A) Bridge, at mile 2.8, across the Fore River has a vertical clearance of 45 feet at mean high water and 55 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The existing operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.621.

Saugus River

The Fox Hill (SR107) Bridge, at mile 2.5, across the Saugus River has a vertical clearance of 6 feet at mean high water and 16 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The existing operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.618(c).

The owner of the bridges, Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD), requested a change to the drawbridge operation regulations to allow the four bridges to operate on an advance notice basis on Thanksgiving Day each year.

The existing drawbridge operation regulations already allow the four bridges to operate on an advance notice basis on Christmas and New Years Day each year. Therefore, it is expected that adding Thanksgiving Day to that existing requirement should not impact navigation adversely since there have been very few requests to open these bridges on Thanksgiving Day in past years.

The Coast Guard believes this rule is reasonable because the bridges would still open on demand at any time on Thanksgiving Day after the advance notice is given.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

The Coast Guard received no comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking. Therefore, no changes have been made to this final rule.

Regulatory Evaluation

This 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).

This conclusion is based on the fact that the bridges will continue to open on signal at any time after the advance notice is given.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we considered whether this 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 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.

This conclusion is based on the fact that the bridges will continue to open on signal at any time after the advance notice is given.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-121), we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.

No small entities requested Coast Guard assistance and none was given.

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).

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).

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 rule under that Order and have 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 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 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 rule will not effect 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 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 rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

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

[[Page 67058]]

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this 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. The Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

Technical Standards

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

This rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, 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. It has been determined that this final rule does not significantly impact the environment.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

Bridges.

Regulations

0 For the reasons set out 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; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); section 117.255 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.

0 2. Revise Sec. 117.586 to read as follows:

Sec. 117.586 Annisquam River and Blynman Canal.

The draw of the Blynman (SR127) Bridge shall open on signal, except that, from noon to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, 6 p.m. on December 24 to midnight on December 25, and from 6 p.m. on December 31 to midnight on January 1, the draw shall open on signal if at least a two-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

0 3. Section 117.595 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

Sec. 117.595 Danvers River.

* * * * *

(c) The Kernwood Bridge, at mile 1.0, shall operate as follows:

(1) From May 1 through September 30, midnight to 5 a.m., and from October 1 through April 30, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., draw shall open on signal after at least a one-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

(2) From noon to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day and all day on Christmas and New Years Day, the draw shall open on signal after at least a one-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

0 4. Section 117.618 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

Sec. 117.618 Saugus River.

* * * * *

(c) The Fox Hill (SR107) Bridge, at mile 2.5, shall operate as follows:

(1) The draw shall open on signal, except that, from October 1 through May 31, from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., the draw shall open after at least a one-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

(2) From noon to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, and all day on Christmas, and New Years Day, the draw shall open on signal after at least a one-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

0 5. Section 117.621 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as follows:

Sec. 117.621 Fore River.

* * * * *

(c) From noon to 6 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, from 6 p.m. on December 24 to midnight on December 25, and from 6 p.m. on December 31 to midnight on January 1, the draw shall open on signal after at least a two-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

Dated: November 4, 2004. David P. Pekoske, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.

[FR Doc. 04-25412 Filed 11-15-04; 8:45 am]

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