[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 228 (Tuesday, November 26, 2019)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 65045-65049]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-25617]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2019-0824]
RIN 1625-AA09
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Milwaukee, Menomonee, and
Kinnickinnic Rivers and Burnham Canals. Milwaukee, WI
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is seeking information and comments on a
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking with a test schedule for the bridges
crossing the Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers and South
Menomonee and Burnham Canals. The City of Milwaukee requested the
regulations to be reviewed and updated to allow for a more balanced
flow of maritime and land based transportation. The current regulation
has been in place for over 30 years and is obsolete.
DATES: Comments and related materials must reach the Coast Guard on or
before: January 27, 2020.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2019-0824 using Federal eRulemaking Portal at http://www.regulations.gov.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion
of the
[[Page 65046]]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on submitting
comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed
rule, call or email Mr. Lee D. Soule, Bridge Management Specialist,
Ninth Coast Guard District; telephone 216-902-6085, email
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
IGLD85 International Great Lakes Datum of 1985
LWD Low Water Datum based on IGLD85
OMB Office of Management and Budget
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Advance Supplemental)
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis
The Milwaukee River is approximately 104 miles long, beginning in
Fond du Lac County the river flows easterly to a low head dam just
above the Humboldt Avenue Bridge at mile 3.22 in downtown Milwaukee,
WI. From here the river flows south to Lake Michigan. This southerly
course of the Milwaukee River divides the lakefront area from the rest
of the city. The Menomonee River joins the Milwaukee River at Mile 1.01
with the Kinnickinnic River joining the Milwaukee River at Mile 0.39.
In total 21 bridges cross the Milwaukee River from mile 0.19 to mile
3.22. In the early 20th Century the Milwaukee River was heavily used to
support the industries in and around the Great Lakes. Today, the river
has been redeveloped as a tourist and recreational destination. From
its confluence with the Milwaukee River the Menomonee River flows west
for 33 miles. The lower three miles of the Menomonee River is passable
by vessels over 600 feet in length. Seven bridges cross the navigable
portion of the Menomonee River.
Over the years the flour mills, packing plants, breweries, machine
shops, railways, and tanneries have been replaced with parks, a casino,
microbreweries, and the Harley-Davidson Museum. The coal powered heat
plant near mile 1.61 was converted to natural gas, which eliminated the
need for coal to be delivered by barge. At present the only docks
receiving vessels are the two cement silos located near mile 1.61.
The South Menomonee Canal and the Burnham Canal were both excavated
during a waterways improvement project in 1864. Both man-made canals
are tributaries of the Menomonee River branching just above its mouth.
The South Menomonee Canal is crossed by two bridges and the Burnham
Canal is crossed by three bridges.
The Kinnickinnic River flows north through the southern portion of
the City of Milwaukee connecting with the Milwaukee River near Lake
Michigan. Only the lower 2.30 miles of the river have been improved for
vessel use. Five bridges cross the river with the Lincoln Avenue Bridge
at the head of navigation. Freighters up to 1,000 feet in length
transfer cargos at the confluence of the Kinnickinnic and Milwaukee
Rivers.
The Port of Milwaukee won the 2016 Saint Lawrence Seaway
Development Pacesetter Award for significantly increasing international
tonnage shipped through their port. Salt, cement, aggregate, liquid
bulk products, coal, grain, and general cargo goods are shipped through
this portion of the port. 2.4 million tons of materials were shipped
and received in 2018. The Port of Milwaukee is currently ranked 23rd in
tonnage among the Great Lakes harbors and is a designated harbor of
refuge for the eastern side of Lake Michigan and can accommodate
emergency docking of vessels up to 1,000 feet long. Most of the
recreational vessels in Milwaukee moor in the lake front marinas and
only transit the rivers. Boat yards on the Menomonee and Kinnickinnic
rivers haul out and store most of the recreational vessels in the fall
and winter months and launch the vessels in the spring. This action
contributes to a considerable surge in drawbridge openings in the fall
and spring.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
In response to downtown Milwaukee residents' concerns regarding in
a pronounced increase in vehicular traffic in the area, the City of
Milwaukee has requested a complete review of the bridge regulations in
this area.
Over the years these regulations have been amended considerably.
This has had the effect of making them difficult to comprehend to the
average person. In addition the cyclic higher water levels over the
past 3 years and increased number of passenger vessels in the downtown
area have resulted in significantly more bridge openings. Lastly, the
conversion of older business building into condominiums have increased
the evening vehicle traffic causing major traffic delays when the
bridges are lifted. While the Milwaukee River is the primary concern
with residents and mariners, this rulemaking proposes changes to the
language governing bridges in the entire Milwaukee Harbor area, for the
purpose of updating these regulations accurately reflect the current
operational needs of these bridges and make them easier to understand
by the general public.
Currently, the Canadian Pacific Railroad Bridge at Mile 1.74 over
the Burnham Canal and the Sixth Street Bridge at Mile 1.37 over the
Menomonee River are closed by regulation and do not need to open for
the passage of vessels. The City of Milwaukee has requested that the
Sixteenth Street Bridge, mile 2.14, over the Menomonee River remain
closed and not open by regulation. No vessels have requested a bridge
opening in at least 10 years and the bridge provides a horizontal
clearance of 120 feet and a vertical clearance of 35 feet above LWD,
allowing most vessels to pass under the bridge without an opening. The
Coast Guard is working with the City of Milwaukee to convert the
Sixteenth Street Bridge to a fixed structure.
Ice has historically hindered or prevented navigation during the
winter months. For the last eight years the Coast Guard has authorized
the drawbridges to open on signal with a 12-hour advance notice of
arrival for vessels from November 19th to April 16th. After careful
review of the drawtender logs provided by the City of Milwaukee, the
Coast Guard proposes to allow all bridges to require a 12-hour advance
notice for openings from November 1st to April 15th each year.
The City of Milwaukee requested that from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. daily,
the bridges would open on signal with a 2-hour advance notice. During
these hours the bridges would not be manned and roving drawtenders
would open the bridges for vessels. After reviewing the 2016, 2017, and
2018 drawtender logs it was found that for those hours between April
and November of each year an average of 45 vessels requested openings.
Of these requests an average of 32 openings were between the hours of
11 p.m. and midnight. From midnight to 7 a.m. there were only 13
vessels that requested openings. Based on the data reviewed we have
concluded that, due to a lack of openings from midnight to 7 a.m.
daily, the bridges shall open on signal if provided a 2-hour advance
notice of arrival, meets the reasonable needs of navigation.
The City of Milwaukee also reported receiving several complaints
from residents in the downtown area concerning the noise associated
with the waterfront. To improve the quality of downtown living we
propose to remove the special sound signals listed in the
[[Page 65047]]
CFR for each bridge. Mariners would request openings by using the
standard sound signal of one prolonged blast followed by one short
blast or by agreement on VHF-FM Marine Radio or by telephone. From
Midnight to 7 a.m. the bridges would require a 2-hour advance notice of
arrival provided by VHF-FM Marine Radio or by telephone thus reducing
some of the noise associated with the waterfront.
The City of Milwaukee requests to operate the following bridges
remotely: North Plankinton Avenue, mile 1.08, and North Sixth Street,
mile 1.37, and North Ember Lane, mile 1.95, all over the Menomonee
River. Each remotely operated bridge will have sufficient equipment to
operate as if a drawtender is in attendance at the bridge. No
drawtender will be responsible for monitoring or operating more than 3
drawbridges at any time. At a minimum each remotely operated drawbridge
will have the capabilities to communicate by 2-way public address
system, equipment capable of making appropriate sound signals as
required, and have adequate camera systems in place to safely operate
the bridge.
The current regulation allows for no openings from 7:30 a.m. to
8:30 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. for vehicular rush hours. The
city has requested to start the evening rush hour at 4 p.m. instead of
4:30 p.m. to help relieve vehicle congestion. The city of Milwaukee
provided the following vehicle data provided by the Wisconsin
Department of Transportation to support the additional 30 minutes of
evening rush hour times. We have averaged the data into this
spreadsheet:
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Average vehicle Average vehicle Average vehicle
Bridge name Daily average counts 4:30 p.m. counts 4 p.m. to counts 4:00 p.m.
vehicle counts to 5:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Broadway............................ 11,201 1,582 332 1,914
Water St............................ 17,753 1,669 742 2,411
St. Paul Ave........................ 10,344 No Data No Data No Data
Clybourn St......................... 11,262 955 848 1,803
Michigan St......................... 10,484 1,202 304 1,506
Wisconsin Ave....................... 10,423 1,144 323 1,467
Wells St............................ 8,372 1,114 295 1,409
Kilbourn Ave........................ 15,590 No Data No Data No Data
Juneau Ave.......................... 7,265 No Data No Data No Data
Cherry St........................... No Data No Data No Data No Data
Pleasant St......................... 6,307 No Data * 882 No Data
Knapp St............................ 20,792 No Data No Data No Data
Kinnickinnic Ave.................... 17,019 No Data No Data No Data
South First St...................... 12,992 No Data No Data No Data
North Plankinton Ave................ 6,578 No Data + 768 No Data
North 6th St........................ 15,045 No Data No Data No Data
South 6th St........................ 15,045 No Data No Data No Data
(Muskego) Emmber Ln................. 4,616 No Data No Data No Data
1st Street.......................... 13,772 No Data 902 4,107
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* PEAK.
+ PEAK Daily.
Based on the data provided we intend to extend the rush hour times
of no lifts to 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except
Federal Holidays.
Additionally, at the time when the original regulation was being
written the stipulating regulation regarding the opening of bridges for
public safety vessels had not yet been promulgated. An exception was
included for vessels carrying U.S. mail and vessels that carry over 50
passengers for hire. The mail service no longer arrives by vessel.
Limiting the exclusion by passenger count excludes other commercial
vessels from transiting the river. This exclusion is only for the times
the bridges do not need to open during high traffic times. During the
test deviation, which is planned for the summer of 2020, the intent is
to modify this exception to read: ``commercial vessels documented over
50 tons.'' This prevents tug and barge, cement boats, and other large
commercial vessels from getting trapped between bridges, which creates
an especially unsafe condition.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes
and Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our
analyses based on these statutes and Executive Orders and we discuss
First Amendment rights of protestors.
A. Regulatory Planning and Review
Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize
net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This NPRM has not been
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order
12866. Accordingly, the NPRM has not been reviewed by the Office of
Management and Budget (OMB) and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
This Proposed rule is soliciting comments for the test deviation
planned for the summer navigation season of 2020. Additional comments
are encouraged throughout the test deviation, when that publishes.
B. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities. While some owners or operators of
vessels intending to transit the bridge may be small entities, for the
reasons stated in section IV.A above this proposed rule would not have
a
[[Page 65048]]
significant economic impact on any vessel owner or operator. The
bridges will open on signal with advance notice. The hours the bridges
would be closed to accommodate high number of vehicle crossings is only
1 hour in the morning and 1.5 hours in the evening and supports other
small business by eliminating traffic congestion and accessibility to
those downtown business.
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.
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 proposed rule. If the rule would affect
your small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you
have questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance,
please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT, above. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small
entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or any
policy or action of the Coast Guard.
C. Collection of Information
This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.).
D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Government
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government. We have analyzed this proposed rule under that Order and
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132.
Also, this proposed 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. If
you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or
Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section above.
E. 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 (adjusted for
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule will not
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this
proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.
F. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Management Directive 023-01, U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning
Policy COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) and U.S. Coast Guard Environmental
Planning Implementation Procedures (series) which guide the Coast Guard
in complying with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA)(42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f). We have made a preliminary determination
that this action is one of a category of actions that do not
individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human
environment. This proposed rule promulgates the operating regulations
or procedures for drawbridges. Normally this action is categorically
excluded from further review, under paragraph L49, of Chapter 3, Table
3-1 of the U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementation
Procedures.
Neither a Record of Environmental Consideration nor a Memorandum
for the Record are required for this rule.
G. Protest Activities
The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters.
Protesters are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section to coordinate protest activities so that
your message can be received without jeopardizing the safety or
security of people, places or vessels.
V. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking,
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation.
We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions.
We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the
docket, visit http://www.regulations.gov/privacynotice.
Documents mentioned in this NPRM as being available in this docket
and all public comments, will be in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a
final rule is published.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 33 CFR part 117 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; 33 CFR 1.05-1; DHS Delegation No.
0170.1.
0
2. Revise Sec. 117.1093 to read as follows:
Sec. 117.1093 Milwaukee, Menomonee, and Kinnickinnic Rivers and
Burnham Canals.
(a) The draws of the bridges over the Milwaukee River shall operate
as follows:
(1) The draws of the North Broadway Street bridge, mile 0.5, and
North Water Street bridge, mile 0.6, and Michigan Street bridge, mile
1.1, shall open on signal; except that, from April 16th through
November 1st, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draws need not be
opened, and from midnight to 7 a.m. Monday through Saturday except
Federal holidays the bridges will open on signal if a 2-hour advance
notice is provided.
[[Page 65049]]
(2) The draws of all other bridges across the Milwaukee River shall
open on signal if at least 2-hours' notice is given except that, from
April 16th through November 1st, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4
p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the
draws need not be opened.
(3) The following bridges are remotely operated, are required to
operate a radiotelephone, and shall open as noted in this section; St.
Paul Avenue, mile 1.21, Clybourn Street, mile 1.28, Wells Street, mile
1.61, Kilbourn Street, mile 1.70, State Street, mile 1.79, Highland
Avenue, mile 1.97, and Knapp Street, mile 2.14.
(4) No commercial vessel over 50 tons shall be held between any
bridge at any time and must be passed as soon as possible.
(5) From November 2nd through April 15th, all drawbridges over the
Milwaukee River will open on signal if a 12-hour advance notice is
provided.
(b) The draws of bridges across the Menomonee River and South
Menomonee Canal operate as follows:
(1) The draw of the North Plankinton Avenue bridge across the
Menomonee River, mile 1.08, shall open on signal; except that, from
April 16th through November 1st, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4
p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the
draws need not be opened, and from midnight to 7 a.m. Monday through
Friday except Federal holidays the bridges will open on signal if a 2-
hour advance notice is provided.
(2) The draws of all other bridges across the Menomonee River and
South Menomonee Canal shall open on signal if at least 2-hours' notice
is given except that, from April 16th through November 1st, from 7:30
a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays, the draws need not be opened.
(3) The following bridges are remotely operated, are required to
operate a radiotelephone, and shall open as noted in this section;
North Plankinton Avenue, mile 1.08, North Sixth Street, mile 1.37, and
North Ember Lane, mile 1.95, all over the Menomonee River and South
Sixth Street, mile 1.51, over the South Menomonee Canal.
(4) No commercial vessel over 50 tons shall be held between any
bridge at any time and must be passed as soon as possible.
(5) From November 2nd through April 15th, all drawbridges over the
Menomonee River and South Menomonee Canal will open on signal if a 12-
hour advance notice is provided.
(c) The draws of bridges across the Kinnickinnic River operate as
follows:
(1) The draw of the Kinnickinnic Avenue bridge, mile 1.5, shall
open on signal; except that, from April 16th through November 1st, from
7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays, the draws need not be opened, and from
midnight to 7 a.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the
bridges will open on signal if a 2-hour advance notice is provided.
(2) The draws of all other bridges across the Kinnickinnic River
shall open on signal if at least 2-hours' notice is given except that,
from April 16th through November 1st, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and
from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal
holidays, the draws need not be opened.
(3) The following bridges are remotely operated, are required to
operate a radiotelephone, and shall open as noted in this section; The
South First Street Bridge, mile 1.78.
(4) No commercial vessel over 50 tons shall be held between any
bridge at any time and must be passed as soon as possible.
(5) From November 2nd through April 15th, all drawbridges over the
Kinnickinnic River will open on signal if a 12-hour advance notice is
provided.
(d) The Canadian Pacific Railroad Bridge at Mile 1.74 over the
Burnham Canal, and the Sixteenth Street Bridge, mile 2.14, over the
Menomonee River are closed by regulation and do not need to open for
the passage of vessels.
Dated: November 19, 2019.
D.L. Cottrell,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2019-25617 Filed 11-25-19; 8:45 am]
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