Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mississippi River, Dubuque, IA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, is temporarily changing the regulation governing the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 579.9, Upper Mississippi River. From December 17, 2003, until March 15, 2004, the drawbridge shall open on signal if at least 24 hours advance notice is given. This temporary rule is issued to facilitate annual maintenance and repair on the bridge.

DATES:

This temporary rule is effective 12:01 a.m. on December 17, 2003 until 9 a.m. on March 15, 2004.

ADDRESSES:

Documents referred to in this rule are available for inspection or copying at room 2.107f in the Robert A. Young Federal Building at Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-2832, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (314) 539-3900, extension 2378. The Bridge Branch maintains the public docket for this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator, (314) 539-3900, extension 2378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Good Cause for Not Publishing an NPRM

We did not publish a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) for this regulation. Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing an NPRM. This rule is being promulgated without an NPRM because the limited effect on vessel traffic makes notice and comment unnecessary. Maintenance on the bridge will not begin until after the closure of Lock 22 on the Mississippi River. After that time, only commercial vessels left in the pools above Lock 22 will be able to transit through the bridge. Both the bridge and lock closure recur at the same time each year, and local vessel operators plan for the closures in advance. Prompt publication of this rule is also necessary to protect the public from safety hazards associated with conducting maintenance on the bridge.

Background and Purpose

On November 17, 2003, the Canadian National/Illinois Central Railroad Company requested a temporary change to the operation of the Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge across the Upper Mississippi River, Mile 579.9 at Dubuque, Iowa. Canadian National/Illinois Central Railroad Company requested that 24 hours advance notice be required to open the bridge during the maintenance period. The maintenance is necessary to ensure the continued safe operation of the drawbridge. Advance notice may be given by calling the Canadian National/Illinois Central Dispatcher's office at (800) 711-3477 at any time; or Mr. Mike McDermott, office (319) 236-9238 or cell phone (319) 269-2102.

The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge navigation span has a vertical clearance of 19.9 feet above normal pool in the closed to navigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of commercial tows and recreational watercraft. Presently, the draw opens on signal for passage of river traffic. The Canadian National/Illinois Central Railroad Company requested the drawbridge be permitted to remain closed to navigation from 12:01 a.m., December 17, 2004, until 9 a.m., March 15, 2004 unless 24 hours advance notice is given to open the drawbridge. Winter freezing of the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the closure of Army Corps of Engineer's Lock No. 22 (Mile 301.2 UMR) until 7:30 a.m. March 15, 2004 will reduce any significant navigation demands for the drawspan opening. The Illinois Central Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 579.9, Upper Mississippi River, is located upstream from Lock 22. Performing maintenance on the bridge during the winter when the number of vessels likely to be impacted is minimal is preferred to restricting vessel traffic during the commercial navigation season.

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).

Because vessel traffic in the area of Dubuque, Iowa will be greatly reduced by winter icing of the Upper Mississippi River and the closure of Lock 22, it is expected that this rule will have minimal economic or budgetary effects on the local community.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 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. This temporary rule will have a negligible impact on vessel traffic. The primary users of the Upper Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa are commercial towboat operators. With the onset of winter conditions on the Upper Mississippi River coupled with the closure of Army Corps of Engineers' Lock No. 22 (Mile 301.2 UMR) until March 15, 2004, there will be few, if any, significant navigation demands for the drawspan opening. Vessels may still transit through the bridge with 24-hour advanced notification.

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.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offered to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they can better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process. Any individual that qualifies or, believes he or she qualifies as a small entity and requires assistance with the provisions of this rule, may contact Mr. Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, at (314) 539-3900, extension 2378.

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 contains 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 rule will 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 32(e), of the Instruction, from further documentation.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

• Bridges

Regulations

For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard is amending 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. Sec. 499; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1; section 117.255 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.

2. Effective 12:01 a.m., December 17, 2003, through 9 a.m., March 15, 2004, § 117.T408 is added to read as follows: