[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43099-43100]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21260]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[COTP Memphis 97-001]
RIN 2115-AA97


Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River, Mile 661.0 to Mile 662.0

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Lower Mississippi River between mile 661.0 and mile 662.0. The zone is 
needed to protect vessel traffic during bridge repairs and the 
potential for falling debris. Entry of vessels or persons into this 
zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the 
Port.

DATES: This regulation becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. on July 17, 
1997, and terminates at 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
CW04 Frank E. Janes, Assistant Chief Port Operations Officer, Captain 
of the Port, 200 Jefferson Avenue, Suite 1301, Memphis, TN 38103, 
Phone: (901) 544-3941.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background and Purpose

    At approximately 12:01 a.m. on July 17, 1997, the Arkansas Highway 
Transportation Department will commence repairs to the Helena Highway 
Bridge at Lower Mississippi River mile 661.8 on the left descending 
bank. The operation is expected to be completed within four to six 
weeks from the commencement date. The navigable channel will be open 
during the operations. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is 
prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port.
    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 553, a notice of proposed rulemaking 
was not published for this regulation and good cause exists for making 
it effective in less than 30 days after Federal Register publication. 
Publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking and delay of effective 
date would be contrary to the public interest because immediate action 
is necessary. Specifically, immediate action is necessary to facilitate 
repairs to the Helena Highway Bridge. Harm to the public or environment 
may result if vessel traffic is not controlled during the operations. 
As a result, the Coast Guard deems it to be in the public's best 
interest to issue a regulation immediately.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule 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 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.

Collection of Information

    This rule contains no information collection requirements under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

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

[[Page 43100]]

to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule 
and concluded that, under paragraph 2.B.2e(34)(g) of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B (as revised by 59 FR 38654; July 29, 1994), this 
rule is categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Vessels, Waterways.

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 
CFR part 165 as follows:
    1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 50 U.S.C. 191; and 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 
6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; and 49 CFR 1.46.

    2. A new temporary section 165.T02-050 is added to read as follows:


Sec. 165.T02-050   Safety Zone; Lower Mississippi River.

    (a) Location. The following area is a Safety Zone: Lower 
Mississippi River mile 661.0 to mile 662.0.
    (b) Effective dates. This section becomes effective at 12:01 a.m. 
on July 17, 1997, and terminates at 11:59 p.m. on August 31, 1997.
    (c) Regulations. In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec. 165.23, entry into this zone is prohibited except as authorized by 
the Captain of the Port. The Captain of the Port, Memphis, Tennessee, 
will notify the maritime community of conditions affecting the area 
covered by this safety zone by Marine Safety Information Radio 
Broadcast on VHF Marine Band Radio, Channel 22 (157.1 MHz).

    Dated: July 18, 1997.
P.L. Mountcastle,
Lieutenant Commander, USCG, Alternate Captain of the Port.
[FR Doc. 97-21260 Filed 8-11-97; 8:45 am]
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