[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24528]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: October 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-94-027]
RIN 2115-AE47

 

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mermentau River, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: At the request of the Louisiana Department of Transportation 
and Development (LDOTD), the Coast Guard is considering a change to the 
regulation governing the operation of the State Route 82 swing span 
drawbridge across the Mermentau River, mile 7.1 at Grand Chenier, 
Cameron Parish, Louisiana. The proposed regulation would require that 
the bridge open on signal from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and open on 4-hours 
notice from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Presently, the bridge opens on signal from 
5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. the bridge opens on 4-hours 
notice. This action would provide relief to the bridge owner and still 
provide for the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before November 18, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Commander (ob), Eighth Coast 
Guard District, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3396, 
or may be delivered to room 1313 at the same address between 8 a.m. and 
3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (504) 589-2965.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John Wachter, Bridge Administration Branch, at the address given 
above, telephone (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    Interested parties are invited to participate in the proposed 
rulemaking by submitting written views, comments, or arguments. Persons 
submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify 
the bridge and give reasons for concurrence with or any recommended 
change in this proposal. Persons desiring acknowledgment that their 
comments have been received should enclose a stamped, self-addressed 
postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Eighth Coast Guard District 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.
    The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, will evaluate all 
communications received and determine a course of final action on this 
proposal. The proposed regulation may be changed in the light of 
comments received.

Drafting Information

    The drafters of this regulation are Mr. John Wachter, project 
officer, and LT Elisa Holland, project attorney.

Background and Purpose

    LDOTD has requested the 4-hour difference in the time the 
bridgeowner is required to have an attendant on duty, because of a 
decline in vessel traffic that passes the Mermentau River bridge at 
Grand Chenier. The four-hour difference would allow the bridge owner 
relief from having a person available at the bridge site, thereby, 
creating a savings to the taxpayer while still serving the reasonable 
needs of navigational interest.

Discussion of Proposed Rules

    The Mermentau River bridge is a 1049 foot structure. Navigational 
clearances provided by the bridge are 16-feet vertical above mean high 
water in the closed position and unlimited in the open position. 
Horizontal clearance is 69.5 feet. The depth of the waterway at the 
bridge site is approximately 20 feet. Navigation on the waterway 
consists of mainly small and large fishing boats, tugs with tows and 
work boats. Data provided by LDOTD show that from January 1, through 
December 31, 1993, the number of vessels that passed the bridge totaled 
2929 for the year. This breaks down to about 240 vessels per month or 
8.0 vessels per 24-hour period. Alternate routes are available. They 
are the Calcasieu Ship Channel and the Intracoastal Canal.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposal 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 
not been reviewed 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 proposal 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 proposal, if adopted, will have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. ``Small entities'' may include (1) small business and not-
for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and 
are not dominant in their fields and (2) governmental jurisdictions 
with populations of less than 50,000.
    Since the proposed rule also considers the needs of local 
commercial fishing vessels, the economic impact is expected to be 
minimal. Therefore, the Coast Guard certified 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 proposal contains no collection-of-information requirements 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism Implications

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the proposed rulemaking 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 paragraph 2.B.2. of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B, this proposal is categorically excluded from 
further environmental documentation. A ``Categorical Exclusion 
Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection or copying 
where indicated under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

Proposed Regulations

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend Part 117 of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, 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 117.480 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 117.480  Mermentau River.

    The draw of the S82 bridge mile 7.1 at Grand Chenier, shall open on 
signal; except that, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the draw shall open on 
signal if at least 4 hours notice is given. During the advance notice 
period, the draw will open on less than 4 hours notice for an emergency 
and will open on demand should a temporary surge in waterway traffic 
occur.

    Dated: September 20, 1994.
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-24528 Filed 10-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M