[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 23, 1996)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 1725-1727]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-724]



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

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-95-084]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
Sunset Beach, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.


[[Page 1726]]

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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

SUMMARY: At the request of the North Carolina Department of 
Transportation, the Coast Guard is proposing a change to the 
regulations that govern the operation of the drawbridge across the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 337.9, at Sunset Beach, North 
Carolina. This proposed rule would extend the hours on weekends and 
holidays during the summer months during which the bridge may open only 
on the hour. This proposed rule is intended to provide regularly 
scheduled drawbridge openings to help reduce motor vehicle traffic 
delays and congestion on the roads and highways linked by this 
drawbridge while providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 8, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (ob), Fifth Coast Guard 
District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704-5004, or may 
be delivered to Room 109 at the same address between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 
(804) 398-6227. Comments will become part of this docket and will be 
available for inspection at Room 109, Fifth Coast Guard District.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ann B. Deaton, Bridge Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at 
(804) 398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD05-95-084) and the specific section of 
this rule to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each 
comment. The Coast Guard requests that all comments and attachments be 
submitted in an unbound format suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. If not practical, a second copy of any bound material is 
requested. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should 
enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. It may change this rule in view of the comments.
    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a 
public hearing by writing to the Commander (ob) 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.

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Linda 
L. Gilliam, Project Manager, Bridge Section, and CDR T. R. Cahill, 
Project Counsel, Fifth Coast Guard District Legal Office.

Background and Purpose

    Operation of drawbridges over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in 
North Carolina, including the Sunset Beach drawbridge, are governed by 
33 CFR 117.821. Section 117.821(a) requires that drawbridges over the 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina open on signal for 
public vessels of the United States, State and local government 
vessels, commercial vessels, and any vessel in an emergency involving 
danger to life and property. Section 117.821(b) requires that 
drawbridges over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway in North Carolina 
open on signal for pleasure vessels, except as otherwise provided. 
Section 117.821(b)(6) permits the Sunset Beach drawbridge to open only 
on the hour from April 1 to November 30 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., if 
signaled by a pleasure vessel. Current 33 CFR 117.821(b)(6) was 
established by a final rule published in the Federal Register on 
December 30, 1994 (59 FR 67629).
    The North Carolina Department of Transportation, on behalf of the 
Town of Sunset Beach, has asked the Coast Guard to amend 33 CFR 117.821 
to extend the hours during which the Sunset Beach drawbridge may open 
on the hour. The Town of Sunset Beach adopted a Resolution stating that 
drawbridge openings for recreational vessels after 6 p.m. on weekends 
and Federal holidays from June 1 to September 30 have caused tremendous 
highway traffic congestion at the bridge and highway traffic problems 
within the Town.
    Based on this request, the Coast Guard is proposing to amend 33 CFR 
117.821(b)(6). The proposed amendment would, on Saturdays, Sundays, and 
Federal holidays from June 1 to September 30, extend the hours during 
which the Sunset Beach drawbridge may open on the hour from 7 p.m. to 9 
p.m. The Coast Guard believes that the proposed amendment would 
alleviate highway traffic problems while also permitting the orderly 
flow of recreational vessel traffic through the draw. The proposed 
changes will not unduly restrict navigation by pleasure vessels, which 
may plan their transits to coincide with scheduled hourly openings.
    This proposal would also correct the designation of the highway 
corridor to SR 1172 vice US 50 in 33 CFR 117.821(b)(6). According to 
the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Sunset Beach 
drawbridge is not part of the US 50 Highway corridor.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposed action is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866 and does not require an 
assessment of potential costs 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 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'' 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). 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 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 Assessment

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this proposal under the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that this proposal will not have sufficient federalism implications to 
warrant preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

[[Page 1727]]


Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
proposal and concluded that under section 2.B.2.e(32)(3) of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B (as amended, 59 FR 38654, 29 July 1994), this 
proposal is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation. 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, the Coast Guard is proposing 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); section 
117.255 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 
Stat. 5039.

    2. In section 117.821, paragraph (b)(6) is revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 117.821  Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Albermarle Sound to 
Sunset Beach.

* * * * *
    (b) * * *
    (6) SR 1172 bridge, mile 337.9, at Sunset Beach, NC, shall open on 
the hour on signal between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m., April 1 through November 
30, except that on Saturdays, Sundays and Federal holidays, from June 1 
through September 30, the bridge shall open on signal on the hour 
between 7 a.m. and 9 p.m.
* * * * *
    Dated: December 26, 1995.
W.J. Ecker,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 96-724 Filed 1-22-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M