[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20365]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 19, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD08-94-024]
RIN 2115-AE47
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, TX
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: At the request of the Galveston County Navigation District No.
1, the Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation
of the bascule span Pelican Island Causeway Bridge across the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 356.1 at Galveston, Texas. The draw will no
longer be closed to navigation on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 12
noon to 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. but will open on demand. The
draw will continue to be closed to navigation during those hours Monday
thru Fridays, except Federal holidays.
EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation becomes effective on September 19,
1994.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John Wachter, Bridge Administration Branch, (504) 589-2965.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Drafting Information
The principal persons involved in drafting this document are Mr.
John Wachter, Project Officer and Lieutenant Elisa Holland, Project
Attorney.
Background and Purpose
Upon request by the bridge owner, the closure hours of this bridge
are being changed to create a better balance between the needs of
vehicular traffic and the needs of navigational traffic. Vehicular
traffic across the bridge on Saturdays has decreased while navigational
traffic has remained the same. The closure of the draw is no longer
necessary on Saturdays. This change in the closure hours of the bridge
is less restrictive on navigational traffic and will not significantly
affect vehicular traffic. For these reasons, the Coast Guard for good
cause finds, under 5 U.S.C. Sec. 553(b)(B) that notice and public
procedure on the notice are unnecessary.
Regulatory Evaluation
This rule is not a significant regulatory action under Section 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.
Small Entities
Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the
Coast Guard must consider whether this rule will have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. ``Small
entities'' include independently owned and operated small businesses
that are not dominant in their field and that otherwise qualify as
``small business concerns'' under section 3 of the Small Business Act
(15 U.S.C. 632). This rule will have little impact on either vehicular
or navigational traffic. Because it expects the impact of this proposal
to be minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that
this proposal, if adopted, will not have a significant economic impact
on a substantial 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 et seq.).
Federalism
The Coast Guard has analyzed this rule under the principles and
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612 and has determined that
this rule 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 of Commandant Instruction
M16475.1 (series), this proposal is categorically excluded from further
environmental documentation. A Categorical Exclusion Determination has
been prepared and placed in the rulemaking docket.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
Regulations in considering of the foregoing, Part 117 of Title 33,
Code of Federal Regulations, is amended 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).
2. Section 117.977 is revised to read as follows:
Sec. 117.977 Pelican Island Causeway, Galveston Channel.
The draw of the Pelican Island Causeway bridge, mile 356.1 across
Galveston Channel at Galveston, shall open on signal; except that, from
7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., 12 noon to 1 p.m., and 4:15 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.
Monday through Friday except Federal holidays, the draw need not be
opened for passage of vessels. Public vessels of the United States and
vessels in distress shall be passed at any time.
Dated: August 3, 1994.
R.C. North,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 94-20365 Filed 8-18-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
