[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 11641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-6009]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-96-048]


Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Tchefuncta River, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of proposed rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) to amend the regulation for the draw of the swing span bridge 
across the Tchefuncta River, mile 2.5, near Madisonville, St. Tammany 
Parish, Louisiana. The proposed rule did not meet the reasonable needs 
of navigation. The Coast Guard is withdrawing the notice of proposed 
rulemaking and terminating this rulemaking.

DATES: The proposed rule is withdrawn effective March 10, 1998.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, documents referred to in this 
notice are available for inspection or copying at the office of the 
Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, Hale Boggs 
Federal Building, room 1313, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70130-3396 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (504) 589-2965. 
Commander (ob) maintains the public docket for this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch, Commander (ob), Eighth 
Coast Guard District, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, Louisiana, 
70130-3396, telephone number 504-589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Regulatory History

    On November 22, 1996, the Coast Guard published a notice of 
proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (61 FR 59396). The 
NPRM proposed to require that the draw of the swing span bridge across 
the Tchefuncta River, mile 2.5, at Madisonville will open on demand; 
except that from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. the draw would open only on the 
hour. Presently, the draw is required to open on signal; except that 
from 5 a.m. until 8 p.m. the draw opens on the hour and half-hour.
    The Coast Guard received 22 letters in response to the NPRM. 
Seventeen of the letters were in opposition to the new proposed rule 
based on the fact that the majority of the waterway users are sailing 
vessels with single screw propulsion which cannot maneuver easily 
raising safety concerns. The bridge owner has not addressed the 
concerns of these objectors, offered an alternative proposal, or 
pursued the matter any further. No other parties submitted alternative 
proposals.
    The Coast Guard agreed with the comments that the proposal was too 
burdensome and did not meet the reasonable needs of vessel traffic. The 
Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has not offered 
an alternative proposal. The Coast Guard is, therefore, withdrawing the 
notice of proposed rulemaking and terminating further rulemaking on 
this proposal (CGD08-96-048).

    Dated: February 23, 1998.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-6009 Filed 3-9-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M