[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 183 (Monday, September 22, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 55005-55006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-24097]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD08-03-032]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Teche Bayou at Levert, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is changing the existing drawbridge operation 
regulation for the draw of the St. John Road bridge across Teche Bayou, 
mile 77.7, at Levert, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. The historic bridge 
has been replaced by a new bridge and taken out of service. While 
awaiting removal, it will remain in place in the open-to-navigation 
position and no special operation regulation is necessary.

DATES: This rule is effective September 22, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Documents referred to in this rule are available for 
inspection or copying at the office of the Eighth Coast Guard District, 
Bridge Administration Branch, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70130-3396, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (504) 589-2965. The 
Eighth District Bridge Administration Branch maintains the public 
docket for this rulemaking.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Good Cause for not Publishing an NPRM

    We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this 
regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. Public comment is not 
necessary since the proposed change reduces the burden to the public 
and is being made at the request of the drawbridge owner, the only 
party that could reasonably object to the change.

Good Cause for Making Rule Effective in Less Than 30 Days

    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds good cause exists 
for making this rule effective in less than 30 days after publication 
in the Federal Register for the same reasons stated in the preceding 
paragraph.

Background and Purpose

    The St. Martin Parish Government has constructed a bridge of modern 
safe design to replace the existing St. John historic bridge. The 
original plan was to leave the bridge in place to use for pedestrian 
traffic; however, the parish now plans to relocate the bridge to 
another location as part of an agreement with the State Historic 
Preservation Officer. The parish received a grant to help relocate the 
bridge but there are insufficient funds in the grant to cover the 
relocation. The bridge owner has requested permission to leave the 
bridge in place in the open-to-navigation position until adequate 
funding is available to relocate the bridge. The bridge owner will 
maintain the navigation lights on the bridge but the bridge will not be 
manned. Presently, the draw of the bridge opens on signal if at least 
24 hours' notice is given in accordance with 33 CFR 117.501(b).

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 Homeland 
Security (DHS).
    This rule improves the service for waterway users and will not have 
a negative impact on them.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
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 of 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.
    This rule will have no negative impact on any small entities 
because the modification to the regulation improves service to the 
waterway users.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this rule so that they can 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 a 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 the preamble.

Taking of Private Property

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

[[Page 55006]]

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 cause an 
environmental risk to health or risk to safety that may 
disproportionately affect children.

Indian Tribal Governments

    This rule does not have tribal implications under Executive Order 
13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, 
because it does not have a 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 analyzed this rule under Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, 
which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have concluded that there are no factors in this case that would limit 
the use of a categorical exclusion under section 2.B.2 of the 
Instruction. Therefore, this rule is categorically excluded, under 
figure 2-1, paragraph (32)(e), of the Instruction, from further 
environmental documentation. Paragraph (32)(e) excludes the 
promulgation of operating regulations or procedures for drawbridges 
from the environmental documentation requirements of NEPA.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

Regulations

0
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

0
1. The authority citation for Part 117 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170.1; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); section 117.255 also issued 
under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.

0
2. Section 117.501(b) is revised to read as follows:


Sec.  117.501  Teche Bayou.

* * * * *
    (b) The draws of the S96 bridge, mile 75.2 at St. Martinville, and 
the S350 bridge, mile 82.0 at Parks, shall open on signal if at least 
24 hours notice is given.
* * * * *

    Dated: September 9, 2003.
R.F. Duncan,
Rear Admiral, U. S. Coast Guard. Commander, Eighth Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 03-24097 Filed 9-18-03; 12:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-U