[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 35 (Tuesday, February 22, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-3927]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 22, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD07-93-110]

 

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to change regulations governing the 
operation of the State Road 402, Max Brewer bridge, at mile 878.9, at 
Titusville, Florida, by permitting the draw to remain closed during 
different periods. This proposal is being made to synchronize the 
existing closed periods with the periods of peak vehicular traffic. 
This action should accommodate the needs of vehicular traffic, while 
still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before April 25, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast 
Guard District, 909 SE 1st Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-3050, or may be 
delivered to room 406 at the above address between 7:30 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (305) 536-4103.
    The Commander, Seventh Coast Guard District maintains the public 
docket for this rulemaking.
    Comments will become part of this docket and will be available for 
inspection or copying at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Walter Paskowsky, Project Manager, Bridge Section at (305) 536-4103.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, 
identify this rulemaking [CGD07-93-110] and the specific section of 
this proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for 
each comment. The Coast Guard requests that all comments and 
attachments be submitted in an unbound format suitable for copying. If 
not practical, a second copy of any bound material is requested. 
Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose a 
stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this proposal in view of the comments.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to Mr. Walt Paskowsky at the address under 
ADDRESSES. The request should include reasons why a hearing would be 
beneficial.
    If it determines that the opportunity for oral presentations will 
aid this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold a public hearing at a 
time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register.

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Walter 
Paskowsky, Project Manager, and LT J.M. Losego, Project Counsel.

Background and Purpose

    This bridge presently opens on signal except that from 6:15 a.m. to 
7:15 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
federal holidays, the draw need not open. NASA, whose employees commute 
to and from the John F. Kennedy Space Center across the bridge, 
requested a 30 minute increase in the morning closed period extending 
from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. This change was requested to ensure continuous 
uninterrupted flow of highway traffic during the heaviest daily 
commuter traffic periods. The bridgeowner, Brevard County, concurred 
with this proposal.

Discussion of Proposed Amendment

    A Coast Guard analysis of highway traffic showed the bridge is used 
almost exclusively by commuter traffic (90% flow in one direction) for 
about an hour each morning and afternoon. The drawbridge is opened 
frequently due to its substandard clearance (9 feet closed), especially 
during the fall and spring vessel migration periods.
    Holding conditions for vessels near the bridge are considered 
adequate to allow vessels to safely wait for a bridge opening during 
the commuter closed periods. A review of the traffic data indicates 
there has been a change in the timing and density of commuter traffic 
which requires an earlier morning closure period. In addition, the data 
shows there has been a reduction in the volume of afternoon commuter 
traffic which would allow a change in the closure periods without 
requiring an increase in the length of time vessels are required to 
wait for an opening.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposal is not considered a significant regulatory action 
under Executive Order 12866 and is not significant under the Department 
of Transportation Regulatory Policies and Procedures (44 FR 11040, 
February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this 
proposal to be so minimal that a Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary. 
We conclude this because the proposed rule exempts tugs with tows.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal, if adopted, will have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. ``Small entities'' include independently owned and operated 
small businesses that are not dominant in their field and that 
otherwise qualify as ``small business concerns'' under section 3 of the 
Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
    Since the proposed rule exempts tugs with tows, the Coast Guard 
certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposal, if adopted, will 
not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small 
entities.

Collection of Information

    This proposal contains no collection of information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposal under the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and has determined that 
this proposal does not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
proposal and concluded that, under section 2.B.2.g.(5) of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B, promulgation of operating requirements or 
procedures for drawbridges is categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination is 
available in the docket.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

    For the reasons set out 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; 49 CFR 1.46; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g).

    2. Section 117.261 is amended by revising paragraph (k) to read as 
follows:


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

* * * * *
    (k) State Road 402, Max Brewer bridge, mile 878.9, at Titusville. 
The draw shall open on signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 7:15 a.m. 
and 3:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except federal 
holidays, the draw need not open.
* * * * *
    Dated: January 26, 1994.
William P. Leahy,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 94-3927 Filed 2-18-94; 8:45 am]
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