[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 238 (Tuesday, December 13, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-30583]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: December 13, 1994]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-94-032]
RIN 2115-AE47

 

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Lafourche Bayou, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: At the request of the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, the 
Coast Guard is considering a change to the regulation governing the 
operation of the following two drawbridges across Lafourche Bayou, in 
Lafourche Parish, Louisiana:
    The State Route 1 (Galliano-Tarpon) vertical lift span bridge, mile 
30.6 at Cutoff, Louisiana; and
    The State Route 1 (Cote Blanche) pontoon bridge, mile 33.9 at 
Cutoff, Louisiana.
    The proposed regulation would require that the bridges open on 
signal; except that from 2 to 3 p.m. and from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, other than Federal holidays, the bridges would be 
permitted to remain closed to navigation for the uninterrupted crossing 
of peak vehicular and school bus traffic.
    Presently, the draws of the bridges are required to open on signal 
at all times.
    This action would relieve traffic congestion on the bridges during 
these periods and permit the timely return of school children to their 
homes while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 13, 1995.

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

    The Greater Lafourche Port Commission has requested the regulation 
because vehicular traffic crossing the bridges during the proposed 
closure periods has increased dramatically during recent years and 
school children are delayed from returning home from their classes in a 
timely manner. The new proposed regulation would allow for the free 
flow of vehicular traffic, while still serving the reasonable needs of 
navigational interest.

Discussion of Proposed Rules

    The Galliano ``Tarpon'' bridge is a vertical lift span structure. 
Navigational clearances provided by the bridge are 3.0 feet vertical 
above mean high water in the closed to navigation position and 73 feet 
above mean high water in the open to navigation position. Horizontal 
clearance is 80.0 feet. Navigation on the waterway consists of tugs 
with tows, fishing vessels, occasional small oil field work boats and 
recreational craft. Data provided by the Greater Lafourche Port 
Commission show that from August 1993 through August 1994, the number 
of vessels that passed the bridge totaled 1141 for the year. This 
breaks down to about 95 vessels per month or 3.1 vessels per 24-hour 
period. Vehicular traffic that passes over the bridge during the 
proposed closure period from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. averages about 750 
vehicles including 4 school busses. An additional 4 school busses cross 
the bridge between 3 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. and these busses will be able 
to adjust their schedule to arrange to cross the bridge during the 2 
p.m. to 3 p.m. closure. Vehicular traffic that crosses the bridge 
during the proposed closure period of 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. averages 
approximately 780.
    The Cote Blanche bridge is a pontoon bridge. There is no vertical 
clearance in the closed to navigation position and unlimited clearance 
in the open to navigation position. The same type of navigation that 
passes the Galliano ``Tarpon'' bridge, also passes the Cote Blanche 
bridge. The average vessel passage per 24 hour period is 3.1. Vehicular 
traffic that passes over the Cote Blanche Bridge during the proposed 
closure period from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. average about 380, including 3 
school busses. An additional 10 school busses cross the bridge between 
3 p.m. and 3:15 p.m. and these busses will be able to adjust their 
schedule to cross during the 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. closure. Vehicular 
traffic that crosses the bridge during the proposed closure period of 
4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. averages approximately 485.

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 businesses 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 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 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.

    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. In section 117.465 paragraphs (a) through (e) are redesignated 
as (b) through (f) and a new paragraph (a) is added to read as follows:


Sec. 117.465  LaFourche Bayou.

    (a) The draws of the SR1 bridge, mile 30.6 and the SR1 bridge, mile 
33.9, both near Cutoff, shall open on signal; except that, from 2 p.m. 
to 3 p.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday except 
Federal holidays, the draws need not be opened for the passage of 
vessels.
* * * * *
    Dated: November 7, 1994.
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-30583 Filed 12-12-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M