[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 41 (Monday, March 3, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9369-9370]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-5173]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 117

[CGD8-97-001]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Louisiana

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This rule removes the regulations for the East Park Avenue and 
East Main Street Bridges across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 
57.6 and 57.7 at Houma, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. These drawbridges 
have been replaced by high level fixed bridges and the drawbridge 
regulations are no longer necessary.

DATES: This rule is effective on April 2, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David M. Frank, Bridge 
Administration Branch, (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Drafting Information

    The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Mr. 
David Frank, Project Officer and Lieutenant Commander J. A. Wilson, 
Project Attorney.

Background and Purpose

    The East Park Avenue and East Main Street drawbridges were replaced 
by high level fixed bridges in November of 1996. Since the drawbridges 
are no longer at these locations, there is no longer a need for the 
drawbridge operation regulation. This rule is being published without 
an opportunity for notice and comment because the bridges regulated in 
33 CFR 117.451(c) have been replaced and these regulations are no 
longer necessary. For this reason, the Coast Guard finds good cause why 
notice and comment are unnecessary under 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(b)(2)(B) and 
why, in accordance with 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(d)(3),

[[Page 9370]]

this rule may be made effective in less than 30 days after its 
publication in the Federal Register.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not major under Executive Order 12291 and not 
significant under the ``Department of Transportation Regulatory 
Policies and Procedures'' (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 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 no impact on either vehicular or 
navigational traffic. Because it expects the impact of this final rule 
to be minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that it 
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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

Regulation

    In consideration 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); section 
117.255 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 
Stat. 5039.


Sec. 117.451  [Amended]

    2. In Sec. 117.451, paragraph (c) is removed and paragraph (d), 
(e), and (f) are redesignated paragraphs (c), (d), and (e) 
respectively.

    Dated: January 30, 1997.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-5173 Filed 2-28-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M