[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 74 (Monday, April 20, 2009)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17905-17907]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-8946]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2009-0217]
RIN 1625-AA00


Safety Zone; Jordan Bridge Demolition, Elizabeth River, 
Chesapeake and Portsmouth, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the 
Elizabeth River in the vicinity of Chesapeake and Portsmouth, VA during 
demolition of the Jordan Bridge. This action is intended to protect 
mariners and public property on the Elizabeth River from the hazards 
associated with bridge demolition.

DATES: This rule is effective from May 3, 2009 through May 6, 2009, 
with contingency dates of May 18, 2009 through May 21, 2009 in the 
event of adverse weather conditions.

ADDRESSES: Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0217 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, selecting the Advanced Docket 
Search option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2009-0217 
in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in 
the Docket ID column. They are also available for inspection or copying 
at two locations: the Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. 
Department of Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary rule, call or e-mail LT Tiffany Duffy, Coast Guard; telephone 
757-668-5580, e-mail [email protected]. If you have questions on 
viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

    The Coast Guard is issuing this temporary final rule without prior 
notice and opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 
4(a) of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This 
provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and 
opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
with respect to this rule because any delay encountered in this 
regulation's effective date by publishing a NPRM would be contrary to 
public interest since immediate action is needed to provide for the 
safety of life and property on navigable waters. Specifically, since 
debris from a bridge being demolished could lead to severe injury, 
fatalities and/or destruction of public property, immediate action is 
needed to protect, to the extent practicable, the public's safety.
    For the same reason, under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard 
finds that good cause exists for making this rule effective less than 
30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Delaying the 
effective date would be contrary to the public interest.

Background and Purpose

    Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads has been notified by Delta 
Demolition Group that construction operations to demolish the Jordan 
Bridge lift span over the Elizabeth River will commence on May 3, 2009. 
Due to the need to protect mariners and spectators from the hazards 
associated with this project, access to the Elizabeth River between the 
Belt Line Railroad Bridge and the Norfolk and Western Portsmouth 
Chesapeake Railroad Bridge will be temporarily restricted.

Discussion of Rule

    The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on 
specified waters of the Elizabeth River in the vicinity of Chesapeake 
and Portsmouth, VA. This safety zone will encompass all navigable 
waters of the Elizabeth River between the Belt Line Railroad Bridge at 
approximate position 36[deg]48'42'' N/76[deg]17'25'' W (NAD 1983) and 
the Norfolk and Western Portsmouth Chesapeake Railroad Bridge at 
approximate position 36[deg]47'49'' N/76[deg]17'34'' W (NAD 1983). This 
regulated area will be established in the interest of public safety 
during the removal of the Jordan Bridge lift span and will be enforced 
from May 3, 2009 through May 6, 2009, with contingency dates of May 18, 
2009 through May 21, 2009 in the event of adverse weather conditions. 
Access to the area within the safety zone will be restricted during the 
specified date and times or until swing span removal is complete, 
whichever is sooner. Except for participants and vessels authorized by 
the Captain of the Port or his Representative, no person or vessel may 
enter or remain in the regulated area.

Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

Regulatory Planning and Review

    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. Although this proposed regulation 
restricts access to the safety zone, the effect of this rule will not 
be significant because: (i) The safety zone will be in effect for a 
limited duration; (ii) the zone is of limited size; and (iii) the Coast 
Guard will make notifications via maritime advisories so mariners can 
adjust their plans accordingly. For the above reasons, the Coast Guard 
does not anticipate any significant economic impact.

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 affect the following entities, some of which may be 
small entities: The owners or operators of vessels intending to transit 
a portion of the Elizabeth River during the time this regulation is in 
effect. Since the impact

[[Page 17906]]

of this rule is expected to be minimal, 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 safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reason: The 
safety zone will only be in place for a limited duration. Before the 
effective period, maritime advisories will be issued allowing mariners 
to adjust their plans accordingly. Although the safety zone will apply 
to the entire width of the bridge, traffic will be allowed to pass 
through the zone with the permission of the Captain of the Port or his 
Representative.

Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small 
entities in understanding the 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). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or 
action of the Coast Guard.

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 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 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 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. The Administrator of the Office of Information and 
Regulatory Affairs has not designated it 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 rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we did not 
consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Management Directive 0023.1 and Commandant Instruction M16475.lD, which 
guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National Environmental 
Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and have concluded 
this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually 
or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. 
This rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph 
(34)(g), of the Instruction. This rule involves establishing a safety 
zone around the removal of a bridge lift span. This zone introduces no 
additional hazards to the environment, but closes the zone to the 
maritime public to protect life and property during hazardous 
conditions. An environmental analysis checklist and a categorical 
exclusion determination are available in the docket where indicated 
under ADDRESSES.

List of Subjects 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.


0
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 
CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703 and 
Chapter 701; 50 U.S.C. 191,

[[Page 17907]]

195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6; 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 
Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.


0
2. Add Sec.  165.T05-0217 to read as follows:


Sec.  165.T05-0217  Safety Zone; Jordan Bridge Lift Span Demolition, 
Elizabeth River, Chesapeake and Portsmouth, VA.

    (a) Regulated Area. The following area is a safety zone: All waters 
of the Elizabeth River, located between the Belt Line Railroad Bridge 
at approximate position 36[deg]48'42'' N/76[deg]17'25'' W (NAD 1983) 
and the Norfolk and Western Portsmouth Chesapeake Railroad Bridge at 
approximate position 36[deg]47'49'' N/76[deg]17'34'' W (NAD 1983), in 
the vicinity of Chesapeake and Portsmouth, VA.
    (b) Definition: For the purposes of this part, Captain of the Port 
Representative means any U.S. Coast Guard commissioned, warrant or 
petty officer who has been authorized by the Captain of the Port 
Hampton Roads, Virginia to act on his behalf.
    (c) Regulations: (1) In accordance with the general regulations in 
Sec.  165.23 of this part, entry into this zone is prohibited unless 
authorized by the Captain of the Port Hampton Roads or his designated 
representatives.
    (2) The operator of any vessel in the immediate vicinity of this 
safety zone shall:
    (i) Stop the vessel immediately upon being directed to do so by any 
commissioned, warrant or petty officer on shore or on board a vessel 
that is displaying a U.S. Coast Guard Ensign.
    (ii) Proceed as directed by any commissioned, warrant or petty 
officer on shore or on board a vessel that is displaying a U.S. Coast 
Guard Ensign.
    (3) The Captain of the Port Hampton Roads can be reached through 
the Sector Duty Officer at Sector Hampton Roads in Portsmouth, Virginia 
at telephone Number (757) 668-5555.
    (4) The Coast Guard Representatives enforcing the safety zone can 
be contacted on VHF-FM marine band radio channel 13 (165.65Mhz) and 
channel 16 (156.8 Mhz).
    (d) Enforcement Period: This regulation will be enforced from May 
3, 2009 through May 6, 2009, with contingency dates of May 18, 2009 
through May 21, 2009 in the event of adverse weather conditions.

    Dated: April 3, 2009.
Patrick B. Trapp,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Hampton Roads.
[FR Doc. E9-8946 Filed 4-17-09; 8:45 am]
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