03-26304. Safety Zone; Wisconsin Central Rail Road Bridge Fox River, Green Bay, WI

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the East side of the channel of the Wisconsin Central Rail Road Bridge at mile 2.61 Fox River. The east side of the channel will be closed to all vessel traffic. The rule is necessary to prevent vessels from transiting too close to the potentially unstable bridge. This rule is intended to restrict vessel traffic from a portion of Fox River mile 2.61, Green Bay, Wisconsin.

DATES:

This rule is effective from October 1, 2003 until 11:59 p.m. December 1, 2003.

ADDRESSES:

Documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket [CGD09-03-270] and are available for inspection or copying at U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Milwaukee, 2420 South Lincoln Memorial Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53207 between 7 a.m. (CST) and 3:30 p.m. (CST), Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Marine Science Technician Michael Schmidtke, Marine Safety Office Milwaukee, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B) and under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM and for making this rule effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. Due to a recent fire on the bridge, delaying this rule would be contrary to the public interest of ensuring the safety of those transiting the Fox River. This rule also ensures that any interested spectators do not accidentally place themselves in danger should any problems occur. As such, immediate action is necessary to prevent possible loss of life or property.

Background and Purpose

This Safety Zone is established to safeguard the public until the bridge is deemed safe and structurally sound. The size of the zone was determined by the necessities of safe navigation in the Captain of the Port zone and local knowledge about wind, waves, and currents in this particular area.

The safety zone is effective from October 1, 2003 until 11:59 p.m. December 1, 2003. This rule will be enforced until the bridge is deemed safe and structurally sound.

Discussion of Rule

The Coast Guard will implement a safety zone on the East side of the channel of the Wisconsin Central Rail Road Bridge at mile 2.61 Fox River. The east side of the channel will be closed to all vessel traffic. The purpose of the safety zone is to protect the public from transiting too close to the unstable bridge. The safety zone will remain in place until the bridge is deemed safe and structurally sound. In addition, the Coast Guard will notify the public, in advance, by way of Ninth Coast Guard District Local Notice to Mariners, marine information broadcasts, and for those who request it from Marine Safety Office Milwaukee, by facsimile (fax).

All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Captain of the Port Milwaukee or his designated on-scene representative. Entry into, transiting through, or anchoring within the safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Milwaukee or his designated on scene representative. The Captain of the Port Milwaukee may be contacted via VHF Channel 16.

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).

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 determination is based on the minimal time that vessels will be restricted from the zone and the zone is an area where the Coast Guard expects insignificant adverse impact to mariners from the zone's activation.

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 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: the owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the east side of the channel of the Fox River mile 2.61 from October 1, 2003 until 11:59 p.m. December 1, 2003.

This safety zone will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: This rule will be enforced to safeguard the boating public. The Coast Guard will give notice to the public via a Broadcast to Mariners that the regulation is in effect. Vessel traffic may enter or transit through the safety zone with the permission of the Captain of the Port Milwaukee or his designated on-scene representative.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Public Law 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. 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 Marine Safety Office Milwaukee (See ADDRESSES.)

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 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 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.

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 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 M16475.1D, 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 (34)(g) of the Commandant Instruction M16475.1D, from further environmental documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

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

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

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

Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1226, 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701; 50 U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g), 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

2. A new temporary § 165.T09-270 is added to read as follows:

§ 165.T09-270

Safety Zone; Wisconsin Central Bridge Fox River mile 2.61, Green Bay, WI.

(a) Location. The following area is designated a safety zone: the eastern side of the channel of the Wisconsin Central Rail Road Bridge at mile 2.61 on the Fox River. The east side of the channel will be closed to all vessel traffic, Green Bay, WI.

(b) Effective Time and Date. This rule is effective from October 1, 2003 until 11:59 p.m. December 1, 2003.

(c) Regulations. (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 165.23 apply.

(2) All persons and vessels shall comply with the instructions of the Coast Guard Captain of the Port Milwaukee or the designated on scene representative. Coast Guard patrol personnel include commissioned, warrant or petty officers of the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon being hailed by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel via siren, radio, flashing light, or other means, the operator shall proceed as directed.

(3) This safety zone should not adversely affect shipping. However, commercial vessels must request permission from the Captain of the Port Milwaukee to enter or transit the safety zone. Approval will be made on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be in advance and approved by the Captain of the Port Milwaukee before transits will be authorized. The Captain of the Port Milwaukee may be contacted via U.S. Coast Guard Group Milwaukee on Channel 16, VHF-FM.

Dated: September 16, 2003.

H.M. Hamilton,

Commander, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the Port Milwaukee.