[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 105 (Wednesday, June 2, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29558-29559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13939]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR PART 117

[CGD08-99-033]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Massalina Bayou, FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule; request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District is temporarily 
changing the regulation governing the operation of the Tarpon Dock 
bascule span drawbridge across Massalina Bayou, mile 0.0, at Panama 
City, Bay County, Florida. The draw of the bridge may remain closed o 
navigation from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m. on July 4, 1999. This temporary 
rule is issued to facilitate movement of vehicular traffic associated 
with a fireworks display. Presently the draw opens on signal at all 
times.

DATES: This rule is effective from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4, 1999. 
Comments must be received on or before June 28, 1999

ADDRESSES: The public docket and all documents referred to in its 
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 70130-34396 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. You may also mail comments to the address 
given above or deliver them to the same address between 7 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Phil Johnson, Bridge Administration 
Branch, at the address given above. Telephone (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Requests for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested parties to participate in 
this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD08-99-033) and the specific section of 
this document to which each comment applies, and give the reason for 
each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of 
receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or 
envelopes. The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during 
the comment period. This temporary rule may be changed in view of the 
comments.

Background

    The City of Panama City, Florida requested a temporary rule, 
changing the operation of the Tarpon Dock bascule span drawbridge. The 
rule is needed to accommodate the additional volume of vehicular 
traffic that the fireworks display is expected to generate.

Discussion of Temporary Rule

    The Tarpon Dock bascule span drawbridge across Massalina Bayou has 
a vertical clearance of 7 feet above mean high water in the closed-to-
navigation position and unlimited in the open-to-navigation position. 
Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial fishing 
vessels, sailing vessels and other recreational craft.
    A comment period is being provided for interested parties to 
express their views. If comments are received, the Coast Guard may 
change this rule.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This temporary rule 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 temporary rule 
to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 
10(e) of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. 
This is because the number of vessels impaired during the closed-to-
navigation period is minimal.
    All commercial vessels still have ample opportunity to transit this 
waterway before and after the two-hour closure on July 4, 1999.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the 
Coast Guard must consider whether this temporary rule will have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. 
``Small entities'' may include small businesses, not-for-profit 
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not

[[Page 29559]]

dominant in their fields and governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000.
    Local commercial fishing vessels will only be inconvenienced for 
two hours on one evening. Thus, the economic impact is expected to be 
minimal. there is no indication that other waterway users would suffer 
any type of economic hardship if they are precluded from transiting the 
waterway during the two hours that the draw is scheduled to remain in 
the closed-to-navigation position. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies 
under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this temporary rule will not have a 
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This temporary rule does not provide for a collection-of-
information requirement under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.).

Federalism

    The Coast Guard has analyzed this temporary rule under the 
principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has 
determined that this temporary rule does not have sufficient 
implications for federalism to warrant the preparation of a Federalism 
Assessment. The authority to regulate the permits of bridges over the 
navigable waters of the U.S. belongs to the Coast Guard by Federal 
statutes.

Environmental

    The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this 
temporary rule and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 32(e) of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, this temporary rule 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 is 
amending 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. Sec. 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. Effective 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4, 1999, Sec. 117.301 is 
temporarily added to read as follows:


Sec. 117.301  Massalina Bayou.

    The draw of the Tarpon Dock bascule span bridge, Massalina Bayou, 
mile 0.0 at Panama City, shall open on signal, except that from 9 p.m. 
until 11 p.m. on July 4, 1999, the draw need not open for vessel 
traffic and may be maintained in the closed-to-navigation position.

    Dated: May 20, 1999.
Paul J. Pluta
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 99-13939 Filed 6-1-99; 8:45 am]
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