[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]
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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.
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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]
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