[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 155 (Tuesday, August 12, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 43096-43097]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-21258]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD13-95-011]
RIN-2115-AE47
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Hood Canal, WA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: At the request of the Washington State Department of
Transportation (WSDOT), the Coast Guard is amending the regulations
governing the operation of the Hood Canal Bridge at Port Gamble,
Washington. This change limits the width of the opening of the
retractable span of the floating bridge to 300 feet of horizontal
clearance unless a maximum horizontal clearance of 600 feet is
specifically requested by the vessel operator.
EFFECTIVE DATE: September 11, 1997.
ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise noted, documents referred to in this
preamble are available for inspection and copying at Commander (oan),
Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington
98174-1067. Normal office hours are between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John E. Mikesell, Chief, Plans and
Programs Section, Aids to Navigation and Waterways Management Branch,
(Telephone: (206) 220-7270).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Drafting Information
The drafters of this notice are Austin Pratt, Project Officer, and
Lieutenant Commander John C. Odell, Project Attorney, Thirteenth Coast
Guard District Legal Office.
Regulatory History
On November 1, 1995, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed
rulemaking entitled Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hood Canal,
Washington, in the Federal Register (60 FR 55515). A single comment was
received which favored the proposed change.
Background and Purpose
This change allows the floating retractable span of the Hood Canal
Bridge to open halfway (300 feet) for the passage of most vessels
instead of the maximum (600 feet). Current regulations at 33 CFR 117.5
state that, unless otherwise required, drawbridges shall be fully
opened for the passage of vessels. The drawspan of the Hood Canal is
extremely wide compared to the majority of drawbridges. Unlike many
drawbridges, no part of the draw mechanism is suspended above the
channel when opened. Opening only to 300 feet for the vast majority of
openings will reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs as well
as shorten delays to roadway traffic. A full opening and closure of the
bridge, not including vessel transit time, takes at least fifteen
minutes. This is two or three times longer than the opening and closing
time of many other drawbridges. WSDOT has observed that only one or two
openings out of an average of about 32 openings per month are for
vessels that need the span fully opened to pass safely. The remaining
vessels pass safely through a horizontal opening of only 300 feet. In
practice, many vessels routinely pass through the bridge before the
retractable span has been fully opened.
Discussion of Comments and Changes
The single comment received was from the United States Navy which
is the entity most often in need of full openings for the safe passage
of large vessels on Hood Canal. This change is not expected to affect
naval operations
[[Page 43097]]
because a full opening of the retractable span may be demanded at any
time.
This change merely alleviates the bridge owner from providing full
openings unless such an opening is specified by the master of a vessel.
This is contrary to normal operations which mandate full opening for
any request for passage. Because the only comment was in support of the
proposed amendment, this final rule is being adopted as originally
proposed.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under 3(f) of
Executive Order 12866 and does not require an assessment of potential
cost and benefits under section 6(a)(3) of that order. It has been
exempted from review by the Office of Management and Budget under that
order. It is not significant under the regulatory policies and
procedures of the Department of Transportation (DOT) (44 FR 11040;
February 26, 1979). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of this
rule to be so minimal that a full regulatory evaluation under paragraph
10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary.
This expectation is based on the fact that most vessels only need a
300-foot opening and that vessels needing a 600-foot opening will be
able to obtain one promptly by requesting it from the bridgetender on
duty.
Small Entities
The Coast Guard finds that the impact on small entities, if any, is
not substantial. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C.
605(b) that this action will not have a significant impact on a
significant number of small entities.
Collection of Information
This rule contains no collection of information requirements under
the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this action under the principles and
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined
that the rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism implications to
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.
Environment
The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this rule
and concluded that, under section 2.B.2.e. of Commandant Instruction
M16475.B, this rule is categorically excluded from further
environmental documentation. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination''
is available in the docket for inspection or copying.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
Regulations
For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
part 117 of title 33, Code of Federal Regulations, 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; 49 CFR 1.46; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); section
117.255 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106
Stat. 5039.
2. Paragraph (a) of section 117.1045 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 117.1045 Hood Canal.
* * * * *
(a) The draw shall open on signal if at least one hour's notice is
given. The draw shall be opened horizontally for 300 feet unless the
maximum opening of 600 feet is requested.
* * * * *
Dated: July 29, 1997.
J. David Spade,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, 13th Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-21258 Filed 8-11-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
