[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 20, 2005)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 20490-20492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-7892]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-05-034]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Kennebec River, ME

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the drawbridge 
operating regulations governing the operation of the Carlton Bridge, 
mile 14.0, across the Kennebec River between Bath and Woolwich, Maine. 
This proposed rule would allow the bridge to open on signal every three 
hours at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., Monday through 
Saturday, from July 5 through December 17, 2005, and again

[[Page 20491]]

from April 1 through June 30, 2006, to facilitate rehabilitation 
construction at the bridge. This rule also would allow five three-day 
bridge closures in September and October of 2005. Vessels that can pass 
under the bridge without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

DATES: Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before May 20, 2005.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(obr), First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch, 408 Atlantic Avenue, 
Boston, Massachusetts, 02110, or deliver them to the same address 
between 6:30 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except, Federal 
holidays. The telephone number is (617) 223-8364. The First Coast Guard 
District, Bridge Branch, maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket, 
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or 
copying at the First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 7 a.m. to 3 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments or related material. If you do so, please include your name 
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD01-05-
034), indicate the specific section of this document to which each 
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit 
all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than 
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know if 
they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or 
envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during 
the comment period. We may change this proposed rule in view of them.

Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for a meeting by writing to the First Coast Guard District, 
Bridge Branch, at the address under ADDRESSES explaining why one would 
be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this rulemaking, we 
will hold one at a time and place announced by a later notice in the 
Federal Register.

Background

    The Carlton Bridge has a vertical clearance of 10 feet at mean high 
water and 16 feet at mean low water in the closed position. The 
existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.525.
    The owner of the bridge, Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT), 
requested a temporary change to the drawbridge operation regulations to 
allow the bridge to open on signal every three hours at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 
12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., only, Monday through Saturday, from July 5 
through December 17, 2005, and again from April 1 through June 30, 
2006, to facilitate rehabilitation construction at the bridge.
    From 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. the draw would open on signal after at 
least a two-hour notice is given by calling the number posted at the 
bridge.
    The bridge would open on signal for Labor Day weekend, Friday, 
September 2, 2005 through Monday, September 5, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m., and from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m., the draw would open after a two-
hour notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.
    From December 18, 2005 through March 31, 2006, the bridge would 
operate in accordance with its normal winter schedule.
    In addition, this proposed rule would allow five three-day bridge 
closures as follows: September 7 through September 9; September 20 
through September 22; October 4 through October 6; October 18 through 
October 20; and November 1 through November 3, 2005.

Discussion of Proposal

    This proposed change would suspend Sec.  117.525(a) and temporarily 
add a new paragraph (c).
    Under the new paragraph the Carlton Bridge would open on signal 
every three hours at 6 a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., only, 
Monday through Saturday, from July 5 through December 17, 2005, and 
again from April 1 through June 30, 2006. From 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. 
the draw shall open on signal after at least a two-hour notice is given 
by calling the number posted at the bridge.
    The bridge would open on signal for Labor Day weekend, Friday, 
September 2, 2005 through Monday, September 5, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m. and from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m. the draw would open after a two-
hour notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.
    From December 18, 2005 through March 31, 2006, the bridge would 
operate in accordance with its existing winter schedule, which has been 
in effect since 2001.
    In addition, the draw would also be allowed to remain closed for 
five three-day closures as follows: September 7 through September 9; 
September 20 through September 22; October 4 through October 6; October 
18 through October 20; and November 1 through November 3, 2005.

Regulatory Evaluation

    This proposed 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 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.
    We expect the economic impact of this proposed rule to be so 
minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation, under the regulatory 
policies and procedures of DHS, is unnecessary.
    This conclusion is based on the fact that the bridge will continue 
to open on signal for all vessel traffic at three-hour intervals from 6 
a.m. to 6 p.m.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we 
considered whether this proposed 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 section 5 U.S.C. 605(b), that this 
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    This conclusion is based on the fact that the bridge will continue 
to open on signal for all vessel traffic at three-hour intervals from 6 
a.m. to 6 p.m.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.

Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information 
under the

[[Page 20492]]

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 proposed 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 proposed rule would not result in such an 
expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere in this 
preamble.

Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would not effect a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under E.O. 12630, Governmental 
Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected Property 
Rights.

Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed 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 proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create 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 would 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.

Technical Standards

    The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 
U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards 
in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, 
through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why 
using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or 
otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical 
standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or 
operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management 
systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus 
standards bodies. This proposed rule does not use technical standards. 
Therefore, we did not consider the use of voluntary consensus 
standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Commandant Instruction 
M16475.1D, 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 
environment documentation because it has been determined that the 
promulgation of operating regulations or procedures for drawbridges are 
categorically excluded.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

Regulations

    For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 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; Department of Homeland Security 
Delegation No. 0170; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); section 117.255 also issued 
under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.

    2. From July 5, 2005 through June 30, 2006, Sec.  117.525(a) is 
suspended and a new paragraph (c) is added to read as follows:


Sec.  117.525  Kennebec River

* * * * *
    (c) (1) The Carlton Bridge, mile 14.0, shall open on signal at 6 
a.m., 9 a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., and 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 
from July 5, 2005 through December 17, 2005, and from April 1, 2006 
through June 30, 2006. From 6 p.m. through 6 a.m. the draw shall open 
on signal after at least a two-hour notice is given by calling the 
number posted at the bridge.
    (2) The draw shall open on signal on Labor Day weekend, Friday, 
September 2, 2005 through Monday, September 5, 2005, from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m., and from 5 p.m. through 8 a.m., the draw shall open after a two-
hour notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.
    (3) From December 18, 2005 through March 31, 2006, the bridge shall 
open on signal, except that, from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m., the draw shall open 
on signal after a twenty-four hour notice is given and from 8 a.m. to 5 
p.m., on Saturday and Sunday, after an eight-hour notice is given by 
calling the number posted at the bridge.
    (4) The draw of the Carlton Bridge may remain in the closed 
position for five three-day closure periods as follows: September 7 
through September 9; September 20 through September 22; October 4 
through October 6; October 18 through October 20; and November 1 
through November 3, 2005.

    Dated: April 7, 2005.
John L. Grenier,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, First Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 05-7892 Filed 4-19-05; 8:45 am]
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