[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 17, 1996)] [Proposed Rules] [Pages 16736-16737] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 96-9437] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 33 CFR Part 117 [CGD13-96-004] Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Oregon Slough, OR AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: At the request of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad, the Coast Guard is proposing a change to the regulations governing the operation of the railroad swingspan bridge across Oregon Slough, Portland, [[Page 16737]] Oregon. The proposed change would increase the advance notice required for opening of the swingspan from one half hour to one hour so that sufficient time is available for the bridge operator to travel to the bridge during periods of heavy traffic congestion on area roads and highways. DATES: Comments must be received on or before June 17, 1996. ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Commander (oan), Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 915 Second Avenue, Seattle, Washington 98174- 1067. The comments and other materials referenced in this notice will be available for inspection and copying at 915 Second Avenue, Room 3410, Seattle, Washington. Normal office hours are between 7:45 a.m. and 4:15 p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Comments may also be hand-delivered to this address. 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: Request for Comments The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in this rulemaking by submitting written data, views, or arguments. Persons submitting comments should include their names and addresses, identify this rulemaking (CGD13-95-011) and the specific section of this proposal to which each comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit two copies of all comments and attachments in unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should enclose stamped, self-addressed postcards or envelopes. The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the comment period. It may change this proposal in view of the comments. The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Persons may request a public hearing by writing to the Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District at the address under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a hearing would be beneficial. If it determines that the opportunity for oral presentations will aid this rulemaking, the Coast Guard will hold a public hearing at a time and place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register. Background and Purpose The proposed change would allow the operator more time to arrive at the drawbridge. The operating regulations currently in effect require only one half hour notice for requesting openings. However, even when land traffic conditions on roads in the vicinity of the bridge are at their best, one half hour barely provides the operator enough time to travel to the bridge and commence operations. Land traffic volumes near the bridge have increased in the Portland area since the current regulations went into effect. A one hour notice period would allow the operator sufficient travel time to arrive at the bridge and open it in a timely fashion. The bridge averages 1-2 openings per day in months of frequent use and in other months considerably fewer openings. Vessels which require openings of the swingspan include tugs, fishing vessels, and sailboats. Discussion of Proposed Rule The proposed rule would amend 33 CFR 117.887 to state that the draw shall open on signal if at least one hour notice is given. Regulatory Evaluation This proposed 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 proposed 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 the current notice period would only be increased by one half hour under the proposed amendment. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Coast Guard must consider whether this proposal will have a significant effect 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). The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposal, if adopted, will not have a significant impact on a significant number of small entities. Collection of Information This proposal 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 proposal under the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 12612, and it has been determined that the proposed 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 proposal and concluded that, under section 2.B.2. of Commandant Instruction M16475.B, this proposal 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. Proposed Regulations For the reasons set out in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes to amend 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); Sec. 117.225 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039. 2. Section 117.887 is revised to read as follows: Sec. 117.887 Oregon Slough (North Portland Harbor). The draw of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad Bridge, mile 3.2 at Portland, Oregon, shall open on signal if at least one hour notice is given. Dated: April 2, 1996. J.W. Lockwood, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, 13th Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 96-9437 Filed 4-16-96; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-14-M