[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 37 (Wednesday, February 25, 1998)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 9463]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-4835]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD08-95-028]
Drawbridge Operating Regulation; Red River, LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice; withdrawal of proposed rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is withdrawing a notice of proposed rulemaking
to amend the regulation for the draws of the two swing span railroad
bridges over the Red River, miles 227.0 and 228.2, near Shreveport,
Louisiana. The proposed rule did not meet the reasonable needs of
navigation. The Coast Guard is withdrawing the notice of proposed
rulemaking and terminating this rulemaking.
DATES: The proposed rule is withdrawn effective February 25, 1998.
ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicted, documents referred to in this
notice are available for inspection or copying at the office of the
Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Administration Branch, Hale Boggs
Federal Building, room 1313, 501 Magazine Street, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70130-3396 between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (504) 589-2965.
Commander (ob) maintains the public docket for this rulemaking.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch, Commander (ob), Eighth
Coast Guard District, 501 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA, 70130-3396,
telephone number 504-589-2965.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Regulatory History
On April 8, 1996, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed
rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register (61 FR 15437). The NPRM
proposed to change the requirement that the draws of the two swing span
railroad bridges over the Red River, miles 227.0 and 228.2, near
Shreveport, Louisiana, be opened on signal for passage of vessels,
Monday through Friday, during daylight hours only, with five days prior
written notice. The draws presently open on signal with 48 hours
advance notice.
The Coast Guard received 12 letters in response to the NPRM
objecting to the proposed rule. The majority of the respondents
objected to a five day advanced notice opening requirement as
burdensome. Respondents indicated this was particularly true given the
number of stabilization projects and increased trade on this stretch of
the Red River. The applicant was given an opportunity to address the
objections. The applicant has not addressed the concerns of these
objectors and has not offered an alternative proposal.
The Coast Guard agreed with the comments that the proposal was too
burdensome and did not meet the reasonable needs of vessel traffic. The
Kansas City Southern Railway Company, owner of one of the bridges in
question, has not offered an alternative proposal. The Coast Guard is,
therefore, withdrawing the notice of proposed rulemaking and
terminating further rulemaking on this proposal (CGD08-95-028).
Dated: February 10, 1998.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 98-4835 Filed 2-24-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
