Drawbridge operations: Oregon,
[Federal Register: October 10, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 196)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 51557-51558]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10oc01-3]
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD13-01-006]
RIN 2115-AE47
Drawbridge Operations Regulations; Youngs Bay and Lewis and Clark River, OR
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operating regulations for these bridges: New Youngs Bay, mile 0.7, across Youngs Bay; Old Youngs Bay, mile 2.4, across Youngs Bay and the Lewis and Clark River Bridge, mile 1.0, across the Lewis and Clark River at Astoria, Oregon. This final rule requires that at least one half-hour notice must be provided for draw openings from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. At all other times four hours notice is required.
Effective Date: This rule is effective November 9, 2001.
ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise noted, documents referred to in this notice are available for inspection and copying at Commander (oan), Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98174- 1067, room 3510 between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The Bridge Section of the Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch maintains the docket for this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Austin Pratt, Chief, Bridge Section, Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch, Telephone (206) 220-7282.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulatory Information
On July 12, 2001, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) entitled Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Youngs Bay and Lewis and Clark River, Oregon, in the Federal Register (66 FR 36529). We received no comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking. No public hearing was requested and none was held.
Background and Purpose
The current operating regulations for these drawbridges at 33 CFR 117.899 requires that a half-hour notice for openings must be provided from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. This rule reduces the number of daily hours during which half-hour notice must be given and increases the period in which four-hour notice must be given. The number of requests for openings has decreased in recent years and specifically for those hours affected by this rule. This rule enables the bridge owner to reduce staffing for the half-hour notice periods and to apply these savings to maintenance.
Discussion of Comments and Changes
The Coast Guard received no comments. No changes are made to this final rule.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of potential costs an 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 Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040; February 26, 1979). This conclusion is based on the fact that the bridges will open at all times for vessel traffic if appropriate 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. ``Small entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, and government 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. This conclusion is based on the fact that the bridges will open at any time if appropriate notice is given.
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
We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13132 and have determined that this rule does not have implications for federalism under that Order.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) governs the issuance of federal regulations that
[[Page 51558]]
require unfunded mandates. An unfunded mandate is a regulation that requires a state, local, or tribal government or the private sector to incur direct costs without the federal government's having first provided the funds to pay those unfunded mandate costs. This rule will not impose an unfunded mandate.
Taking of Private Property
This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630, Governmental Actions and the 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.
Environment
The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule and concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (32)(e) of Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, this rule is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation because promulgation of changes to drawbridge regulations have been found to not have a significant effect on the environment. A written ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is not required for this final rule.
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.
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. 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.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
Regulations
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR Part 117 as follows:
PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS
-
The authority citation for part 117 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 49 CFR 1.46; 33 CFR 1.05-1-(g); section 117.25 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.
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Section 117.899 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 117.899 Youngs Bay and Lewis and Clark River.
(a) The draw of the US101 (New Youngs Bay) highway bridge, mile 0.7. across Youngs Bay at Smith Point shall open on signal for the passage of vessels if at least one half-hour notice is given to the drawtender at the Lewis and Clark River Bridge by marine radio, telephone, or other suitable means from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. At all other times at least a four-hour notice by telephone is required. The opening signal shall be two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast.
(b) The draw of the Oregon State (Old Youngs Bay) highway bridge, mile 2.4, across Youngs Bay foot of Fifth Street, shall open on signal for the passage of vessels if at least one half-hour notice is given to the drawtender at the Lewis and Clark River Bridge by marine radio, telephone, or other suitable means from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. At all other times at least a four-hour notice is telephone is required. The opening signal is two prolonged blasts followed by one short blast.
(c) The draw of the Oregon State (Lewis and Clark River) highway bridge, mile 1.0, across the Lewis and Clark River, shall open on signal for the passage of vessels if at least one half-hour notice is given by marine radio, telephone, or other suitable means from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. At all other times at least a four-hour notice is required. The opening signal is one prolonged blast followed by four short blasts.
Dated: October 1, 2001. Erroll Brown, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 01-25426Filed10-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P
