[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 61 (Wednesday, March 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-7538]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: March 30, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-93-023]
RIN 2115-AE47

 

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Pass Manchac, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: At the request of the Illinois Central Railroad (ICRR), the 
Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation of the 
bascule span bridge across Pass Manchac, mile 6.7, at Manchac, 
Louisiana, by permitting automated operation of the draw. This action 
should provide for the reasonable needs of navigation.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation becomes effective on April 29, 1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John Wachter, Bridge 
Administration Branch, Eight Coast Guard District, telephone (504) 589-
2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 20, 1993, the Coast Guard 
published a proposed rule (58 FR 66321) concerning this amendment. The 
Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District also published the proposal as a 
Public Notice dated January 13, 1994. Interested parties were given 
until February 14, 1994 to submit comments.

Drafting Information

    The drafters of this regulation are Mr. John Wachter, project 
officer, and CDR D. Dickman, project attorney.

Discussion of Comments

    One letter was received in response to Public Notice No. CGD8-01-94 
issued on January 13, 1994. The National Marine Fisheries Service 
offered no objection to the proposed rule.

Federalism

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the final rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Economic Assessment and Certification

    This final rule 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 11034, 
February 26, 1979).
    The economic impact of this action is expected to be so minimal 
that a full regulatory evaluation is unnecessary. The basis for this 
conclusion is that after installation of the fully automated system 
there will be no inconvenience to vessels using the waterway. Since the 
economic impact of this action is expected to be minimal, the Coast 
Guard certifies that it will not have a significant economic impact on 
a substantial number of small entities.

Environment

    This rulemaking has been thoroughly reviewed by the Coast Guard and 
it has been determined to be categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation in accordance with section 2.B.2.g.5 of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B. A Categorical Exclusion Determination 
statement has been prepared and placed in the rulemaking docket.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

Regulations

    In consideration of the foregoing, part 117 of title 33, Code of 
Federal Regulations, is amended 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. Part 117 is amended by adding a new Sec. 117.484 to read as 
follows:


Sec. 117.484  Pass Manchac.

    The draw of the Illinois Central Railroad automated bridge, mile 
6.7, at Manchac, operates as follows:
    (a) The draw is not constantly manned and the bridge will normally 
be maintained in the open position, providing 56 feet vertical 
clearance above mean high tide to the raised tip of the bascule span 
for one-half the channel, and unlimited vertical clearance for the 
other half.
    (b) Railroad track circuits will detect an approaching train and 
initiate bridge closing warning broadcasts over marine radio and over 
the Public Address (PA) system six (6) minutes in advance of the 
train's arrival. Navigation channel warning lights will be lit, and 
photoelectric (infrared) boat detectors will monitor the waterway by 
closed circuit TV (CCTV) cameras.
    (c) Activation of the warning broadcasts also activates a marine 
radio monitor in the Mays Yard (New Orleans switch yard). The 
yardmaster will continuously monitor marine radio broadcasts 24 hours a 
day on the normal and emergency marine radio channels, and throughout 
the warning period and at all times that the bridge is closed. The 
yardmaster will communicate with waterway users via the marine radio, 
if necessary.
    (d) At the end of warning period, if no vessels have been detected 
by the boat detectors, and no interruptions have been performed by the 
yardmaster based on his monitoring of the marine radio and the CCTV, 
the bridge lowering sequence will automatically proceed.
    (e) Upon passage of the train, the bridge will automatically open. 
Railroad track circuits will initiate the automatic bridge opening and 
closing sequences. (Estimated duration that the bridge will remain 
closed for passage of rail traffic is 10 to 12 minutes.) The bridge 
will also be manually operable from two locked trackside control 
locations (key releases) on the approach spans, one on each side of the 
movable span.
    (f) The yardmaster will be provided with a remote EMERGENCY STOP 
button which, if pressed, will stop the bridge operation, interrupt the 
lowering sequence, and immediately return the bridge to the open 
position. The yardmaster will utilize this control feature in the event 
a vessel operator issues an urgent radio call to keep the waterway open 
for immediate passage of the vessel.

    Dated: March 14, 1994.
J.C. Card,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-7538 Filed 3-29-94; 8:45 am]
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