[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 210 (Wednesday, October 30, 2002)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 66052-66053]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-27530]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-02-101]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Dorchester Bay, MA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has changed the drawbridge operation 
regulations that govern the operation of the William T. Morrisey 
Boulevard Bridge, mile 0.0, across Dorchester Bay at Boston, 
Massachusetts. This final rule will allow the bridge to remain in the 
closed position from November 1, 2002, through May 10, 2003. This 
action is necessary to facilitate rehabilitation construction at the 
bridge.

DATES: This rule is effective November 1, 2002, through May 10, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
are part of docket (CGD01-02-101) and are available for inspection or 
copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch Office, 408 
Atlantic Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, between 7 a.m. and 3 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. John McDonald, Project Officer, 
First Coast Guard District, (617) 223-8364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for making this final rule effective in less than 30 days 
after publication in the Federal Register. Any delay encountered in 
this regulation's effective date would be unnecessary and contrary to 
the public interest because the rehabilitation construction is 
necessary in order to assure continued reliable operation of the 
bridge.
    On September 3, 2002, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Dorchester Bay, 
Massachusetts, in the Federal Register (67 FR 56247). We received no 
comments in response to the notice of proposed rulemaking. No public 
hearing was requested and none was held.

Background and Purpose

    The William T. Morrisey Boulevard Bridge, at mile 0.0, across 
Dorchester Bay has a vertical clearance of 12 feet at mean high water 
and 22 feet at mean low water. The existing regulations at 33 CFR 
117.597 require the draw to open on signal from April 16 through 
October 14; except that, the draw need not open for vessel traffic from 
7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. except on Saturdays, 
Sundays, or holidays observed in the locality. From October 15 through 
April 15, the draw shall open on signal if at least twenty-four hours 
notice is given.
    The bridge owner, the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), asked 
the Coast Guard to temporarily change the drawbridge operation 
regulations to allow the bridge to remain in the closed position from 
November 1, 2002 through May 10, 2003, to facilitate rehabilitation 
construction at the bridge. The bridge owner and the Coast Guard 
contacted all known waterway users to advise them of the proposed 
closure. No objections or negative comments were received in response 
to this proposal.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    The Coast Guard received no comments in response to the notice of 
proposed rulemaking and as a result, no changes have been made to this 
final rule.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This rule is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under section 
3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, and does 
not require an assessment of potential costs and benefits under section 
6(a)(3), of that Order. The Office of Management and Budget has not 
reviewed it 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).
    This conclusion is based on the fact that the only marine facility 
effected by this final rule has agreed to the closure dates for the 
bridge.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we 
considered whether this rule would have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities. The term ``small entities'' 
comprises small businesses, not-for profit organizations that are 
independently owned and operated and are not dominant in their fields, 
and governmental jurisdictions with populations less than 50,000.
    The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that this rule 
will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of 
small entities.

[[Page 66053]]

    This conclusion is based on the fact that the only marine facility 
effected by this final rule has agreed to the closure dates for the 
bridge.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offered to assist small 
entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate 
its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal 
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory 
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and 
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR 
(1-888-734-3247).

Collection of Information

    This rule calls for no new collection of information under the 
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).

Federalism

    A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132, 
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on State or local 
governments and would either preempt State law or impose a substantial 
direct cost of compliance on them. We have analyzed this rule under 
that Order and have determined that it does not have implications for 
federalism.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538) 
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary 
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may 
result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal government, in the 
aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 or more in any one 
year. Though this rule will not result in such an expenditure, we do 
discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This rule will not effect a taking of private property or otherwise 
have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

    This rule meets applicable standards in sections 3(a) and 3(b)(2) 
of Executive Order 12988, Civil Justice Reform, to minimize litigation, 
eliminate ambiguity, and reduce burden.

Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13045, Protection 
of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety Risks. This rule 
is not an economically significant rule and does not concern an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

    This final rule does not have tribal implications under Executive 
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it does not have substantial direct effect on one 
or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal 
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.

Energy Effects

    We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions 
Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, 
Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a ``significant 
energy action'' under that order because it is not a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 and is not likely to 
have a significant adverse effect on the supply, distribution, or use 
of energy. It has not been designated by the Administrator of the 
Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs as a significant energy 
action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement of Energy Effects 
under Executive Order 13211.

Environment

    We have considered the environmental impact of this rule and 
concluded that under figure 2-1, paragraph (32)(e), of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1D, this rule is categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation because promulgation of changes to 
drawbridge regulations have been found to not have a significant effect 
on the environment. 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.

Regulations

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 
CFR part 117 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.  117.597  [Suspended]

    2. From November 1, 2002 through May 10, 2003, Sec.  117.597 is 
suspended.

    3. From November 1, 2002 through May 10, 2003, Sec.  117.T602 is 
temporarily added to read as follows:


Sec.  117.T602  Dorchester Bay.

    The draw of the William T. Morrisey Boulevard Bridge, mile 0.0, at 
Boston, need not open for the passage of vessel traffic.

    Dated: October 17, 2002.
V.S. Crea,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 02-27530 Filed 10-29-02; 8:45 am]
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