Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Mermentau River, LA Publication: Federal Register Agency: U.S. Coast Guard Byline: C.B. Newlin Date: 16 March 1995 Subject: American Government • Roads & Highways

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 51 (Thursday, March 16, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 14221]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-6434]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
33 CFR Part 117

[CGD8-94-027]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Mermentau River, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: At the request of the Louisiana Department of Transportation 
and Development (LDOTD), the Coast Guard is changing the regulation 
governing the operation of the swing span bridge on State Route 82, 
across the Mermentau River, mile 7.1, at Grand Chenier, Cameron Parish, 
Louisiana, by permitting the draw to open on signal from 6 a.m. to 6 
p.m. and open on four hours notice from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Presently, the 
draw is required to open on signal from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 9 
p.m. to 5 a.m. the bridge opens on 4 hours notice. This action will 
provide relief to the bridge owner, thereby creating a savings to the 
taxpayer, and still provide for the reasonable needs of navigation.

EFFECTIVE DATE: This regulation becomes effective on April 17, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Unless otherwise indicated, documents referred to in this 
preamble are available for inspection or copying at the office of the 
Commander (ob), Eighth Coast Guard District, 501 Magazine Street, Room 
1313, New Orleans, Louisiana 70130-3396, between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 
(504) 589-2965.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. John Wachter, Bridge Administration Branch, at the address given 
above, telephone (504) 589-2965.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Drafting Information

    The drafters of this regulation are Mr. John Wachter, project 
officer, and LT Elisa Holland, project attorney.

Regulatory History

    On October 4, 1994, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed 
rulemaking entitled Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Mermentau River, 
LA, in the Federal Register (59 FR 50529). The Coast Guard received 
three letters commenting on the proposal. No public hearing was 
requested, and none was held.

Background and Purpose

    LDOTD requested the 4 hour reduction in the number of hours the 
bridge owner is required to have an attendant on duty, due to the small 
number of vessels which use the Mermentau River bridge. Data provided 
by LDOTD show that from January 1, through December 31, 1993, the 
number of vessels broke down to 8.0 vessels per 24 hour period. The 
four hour reduction will allow the bridge owner relief from having a 
person available at the bridge site during that period, thereby, 
creating a savings to the taxpayer while still serving the reasonable 
needs of navigational interests.

Discussion of Comments and Changes

    Three letters of comment were received in response to the proposal. 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, the National Marine Fisheries 
Service and the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries offered no 
objection to the rule change. Therefore, the Final Rule remains 
unchanged from the Proposed Rule.

Assessment

    This regulation 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 6a(3) of that 
order. It has not been reviewed 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).

Small Entities

    The economic impact has been found to be so minimal that a full 
regulatory evaluation is unnecessary. The basis for this conclusion is 
the number of vessels which pass the bridge, (8.0 per 24 hour period). 
The three comments received offered no objection to the proposed rule. 
Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under section 605(b) of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this rule 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

    This action has been analyzed in accordance with the principles and 
criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined 
that the final rulemaking does not have sufficient federalism 
implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environment

    This rulemaking has been thoroughly reviewed by the Coast Guard and 
it has been determined to be categorically excluded from further 
environmental documentation in accordance with section 2.B.2.g.5 of 
Commandant Instruction M16475.1B. A Categorical Exclusion Determination 
statement has been prepared and placed in the rulemaking docket.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

Regulations

    In consideration 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 117.480 is revised to read as follows:


Sec. 117.480  Mermentau River.

    The draw of the S82 bridge, mile 7.1 at Grand Chenier, shall open 
on signal; except that, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. the draw shall open on 
signal if at least 4 hours notice is given. During the advance notice 
period, the draw will open on less than 4 hours notice for an emergency 
and will open on demand should a temporary surge in waterway traffic 
occur.

    Dated: February 1, 1995.
C.B. Newlin,
Acting Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief of Staff.
[FR Doc. 95-6434 Filed 3-15-95; 8:45 am]
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