[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20365]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: August 19, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-94-024]
RIN 2115-AE47

 

Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, TX

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: At the request of the Galveston County Navigation District No. 
1, the Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation 
of the bascule span Pelican Island Causeway Bridge across the Gulf 
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 356.1 at Galveston, Texas. The draw will no 
longer be closed to navigation on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 12 
noon to 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. but will open on demand. The 
draw will continue to be closed to navigation during those hours Monday 
thru Fridays, except Federal holidays.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation becomes effective on September 19, 
1994.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John Wachter, Bridge Administration Branch, (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Mr. 
John Wachter, Project Officer and Lieutenant Elisa Holland, Project 
Attorney.

Background and Purpose

    Upon request by the bridge owner, the closure hours of this bridge 
are being changed to create a better balance between the needs of 
vehicular traffic and the needs of navigational traffic. Vehicular 
traffic across the bridge on Saturdays has decreased while navigational 
traffic has remained the same. The closure of the draw is no longer 
necessary on Saturdays. This change in the closure hours of the bridge 
is less restrictive on navigational traffic and will not significantly 
affect vehicular traffic. For these reasons, the Coast Guard for good 
cause finds, under 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(b)(B) that notice and public 
procedure on the notice are unnecessary.

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 cost and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It has 
been exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget 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). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this 
rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 
10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this rule 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). This rule will have little impact on either vehicular 
or navigational traffic. Because it expects the impact of this proposal 
to be minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that 
this proposal, if adopted, will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This rule 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 rule under the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that 
this rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant 
the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule 
and concluded that, under section 2.B.2 of Commandant Instruction 
M16475.1 (series), this proposal is categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination has 
been prepared and placed in the rulemaking docket.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

    Regulations in considering 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. Section 117.977 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 117.977  Pelican Island Causeway, Galveston Channel.

    The draw of the Pelican Island Causeway bridge, mile 356.1 across 
Galveston Channel at Galveston, shall open on signal; except that, from 
7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 12 noon to 1 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. 
Monday through Friday except Federal holidays, the draw need not be 
opened for passage of vessels. Public vessels of the United States and 
vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.

    Dated: August 3, 1994.
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-20365 Filed 8-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M