Drawbridge operations: Pennsylvania,

[Federal Register: September 11, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 175)]

[Proposed Rules]

[Page 53352-53354]

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

[DOCID:fr11se06-23]

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD5-06-086]

RIN 1625-AA09

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Darby Creek, PA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to change the operating regulations for the Consolidated Rail Corporation (CONRAIL) Railroad Bridge, at mile 0.3, across Darby Creek in Essington, Pennsylvania. The proposal would allow the bridge to be left in the open-to-navigation position from April 1 through October 31 of every year. The bridge would only close for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance. From November 1 to March 31, the bridge would open on signal, if at least 24 hours notice is given by calling (856) 231-7088 or (856) 662-8201.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or before November 13, 2006.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander (dpb), Fifth Coast Guard District, Federal Building, 1st Floor, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 233704-5004. The Fifth Coast Guard District maintains the public docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at Commander (dpb), Fifth Coast Guard District between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting comments and related material. If you do so, please include your name and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking CGD05-06- 086, 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 a return receipt, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all submittals 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. But you may submit a request for a meeting by writing to Commander (dpb), Fifth 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

CONRAIL owns and remotely operates the railroad drawbridge across Darby Creek, at mile 0.3, located in Essington, Pennsylvania. The current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.903 requires that from May 15 through October 15, the draw be left in the open position at all times and will only be lowered for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance authorized in accordance with subpart A of this part. From October 16 through May 14, the draw shall open on signal if at least 24 hours notice is given by telephone at (856) 231- 7088 or (856) 662-8201. Operational information will be provided 24 hours a day at the same telephone numbers.

The CONRAIL Railroad Bridge, a bascule-type drawbridge, has a vertical clearance in the closed position to vessels of approximately three feet above mean high water; and unlimited vertical clearance in the open-to-navigation position.

The Ridley Township Municipal Marina Authority has requested a change to the operating regulations for the Railroad Bridge, due to increased marine traffic under the bridge from April 1 to October 31. CONRAIL has agreed to modify the operating regulations of the drawbridge to accommodate additional vessel traffic.

Discussion of Proposed Rule

The Coast Guard proposes to amend 33 CFR 117.903(a), which governs the CONRAIL railroad drawbridge across Darby Creek, at mile 0.3 in Essington, Pennsylvania, by amending paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(13). From April 1 through October 31, the bridge would be left in the open position and would only close for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance authorized in accordance with subpart A of this part. From November 1 to March 31, the draw of the CONRAIL Railroad Bridge need only open on signal if at least 24 hours notice is given by calling (856) 231-7088 or (856) 662-8201. Operational information will be provided 24 hours a day by telephone at (856) 231-7088 or (856) 662- 8201, respectively.

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).

We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under the regulatory policies and procedures of DHS is unnecessary. We reached this conclusion based on the fact CONRAIL, the only known land user of the bridge, has agreed to the change in the operating regulations.

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.

[[Page 53353]]

This proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reason. This proposed rule will have not impact on any small entities because CONRAIL, the only known land user of the bridge, has agreed to the change in the operating regulations.

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 process.

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 (Pub. L. 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 the rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please contact Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, (757) 398-6222. 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.

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 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 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, eliminates 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 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.

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

Environment

We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, and Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 5100.1, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have made a preliminary determination 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, we believe that this rule should be categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (32)(e), of the Instruction, from further environmental documentation. Under figure 2- 1, paragraph (32)(e), of the Instruction, an ``Environmental Analysis Check List'' is not required for this rule. Comments on this section will be considered before we make the final decision on whether to categorically exclude this rule from further environmental review.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

Bridges.

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

PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATIONS REGULATIONS

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

    [[Page 53354]]

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); Section 117.255 also issued under authority of Public Law 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.

  2. Section 117.903 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(3) and (a)(13) to read as follows:

    Sec. 117.903 Darby Creek.

    (a) * * *

    (3) From April 1 through October 31, the draw shall be left in the open position at all times and will only be lowered for the passage of trains and to perform periodic maintenance authorized in accordance with subpart A of this part. * * * * *

    (13) From November 1 through March 31, the draw shall open on signal if at least 24 hours notice is given by telephone at (856) 231- 7088 or (856) 662-8201. Operational information will be provided 24 hours a day by telephone at (856) 231-7088 or (856) 662-8201. * * * * *

    Dated: August 23, 2006. L.L. Hereth, Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.

    [FR Doc. E6-14983 Filed 9-8-06; 8:45 am]

    BILLING CODE 4910-15-P

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