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[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 4, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 5155-5157]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-2635]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CCGD08-96-062]
RIN 2115-AE47

Temporary Drawbridge Regulations: Mississippi River, Iowa and 
Illinois

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Temporary final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document temporarily allows four drawbridges on the Upper

[[Page 5156]]

Mississippi River to change from the on-demand opening requirements 
governing drawbridges. This action is necessary in order for the 
bridges to undergo required maintenance. Winter conditions on the Upper 
Mississippi River, coupled with the closure of many Corps of Engineers' 
locks until March 1997, will preclude any significant navigation 
demands for bridge openings.

DATES: Section 117.35-T08-062 is effective from January 17 through 
March 1, 1997.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator; Director, Western Rivers 
Operations, Eighth Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 1222 Spruce 
Street, St. Louis, MO 63103-2832, telephone 314-539-3900 extension 378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This action promulgates temporary 
regulations for drawbridge closures due to required winter bridge 
maintenance work. In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 533, a notice of proposed 
rulemaking has not been published and good cause exists for making this 
rule effective in less than 30 days from publication. Delaying 
implementation of the regulation will not benefit navigation and would 
result in unnecessary additional operating costs to the bridge owners.

Discussion of Regulation

    These drawbridge operation amendments have been coordinated with 
the commercial waterway industry by telephone. Director Western Rivers 
Operations, Bridge Administration, contacted the chairman of the River 
Industry Action Committee, an association of commercial towboat 
companies that operate on the Upper Mississippi River. The chairman of 
the committee reviewed these changes, and based on his knowledge of 
waterway traffic during the winter, and input from Committee member 
companies, was of the opinion that these amendments would not have a 
significant impact on commercial traffic. Fleeters operating in the 
vicinity of the bridges were contacted and they advised that these 
amendments would not have a significant impact on them because they 
plan their movements of single barges in advance and can give the 
notice required.
    Locks impacted by these bridges close during winter conditions on 
the Upper Mississippi River because ice formation hinders navigation. 
The Clinton Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 518.0 Upper Mississippi River, is 
located between Lock 12 and 15 and those locks will be closed during 
this time period. Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge, Mile 
482.9 Upper Mississippi River, crosses Lock 15 and that lock is closed 
during this time period.
    Burlington Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 403.1 Upper Mississippi River, 
is located between locks 19 and 22 and those locks will be closed 
during this time period. Keokuk Drawbridge, Mile 364.0 Upper 
Mississippi River, crosses lock 19 and that lock will be closed during 
this time period.
    Performing maintenance on these bridges during the winter when no 
vessels are impacted is preferred to bridge closures or advance 
notification requirements during the commercial navigation season.

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 costs and benefits under section 6(a)(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). The Coast Guard expects the economic impact of the 
rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 
10e is unnecessary.

Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. Sec. 601 et seq.), 
the Coast Guard was required to consider whether this action will have 
a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small 
entities. ``Small entities'' may include (1) small businesses and not-
for-profit organizations that are independently owned and operated and 
are not dominant in their field and (2) governmental jurisdictions with 
populations of less than 50,000. Because it expects the impact of this 
action to be minimal, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 
Sec. 605(b), that this action will not have a significant economic 
impact on a substantial number of small entities.

Collection of Information

    This action 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 rule does not raise sufficient federalism concerns to 
warrant the preparation of a Federalism Assessment.

Environmental Assessment

    This final rule has been thoroughly reviewed by the Coast Guard and 
determined to be categorically excluded from further environmental 
documentation in accordance with section 2.B.2.c of Commandant 
Instruction M16475.1B.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

Regulation

    In consideration of the foregoing, Part 117 of Title 33, Code of 
Federal Regulations, is amended as follows:
    1. The authority citation for Part 117 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. Sec. 499; 49 CFR 1.46; 33 CFR 1.05-1(g); 
section 117.255 also issued under the authority of Pub. L.
    1. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039.

    2. A temporary section 117.35-T08-062 is added to read as follows:

Sec. 117.35-T08-062   Upper Mississippi River.

    (a) Clinton Railroad Drawbridge Mile 518.0 Upper Mississippi River. 
From January 17 through March 1, 1997 the drawspan may remain in the 
closed to navigation position. Bridge opening requests must be made 24 
hours in advance by calling the Clinton Yardmaster's office at 319-244-
3204 anytime; 319-244-3269 weekdays between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.; or 
page Mr. Darrell Lott at 800-443-7243, PIN#009096.
    (b) Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge Mile 482.9 Upper 
Mississippi River. From January 17 through March 1, 1997, the drawspan 
may remain in the closed to navigation position. The bridge cannot be 
opened for navigation during this period due to maintenance work.
    (c) Burlington Railroad Drawbridge Mile 403.1 Upper Mississippi 
River. From January 17 through March 1, 1997, the drawspan may remain 
in the closed to navigation position. Bridge opening requests must be 
made 6 hours in advance by calling Mr. A.L. Poole at 309-345-6103 or 
Mr. Larry Moll at 319-752-5244.
    (d) Keokuk Drawbridge Mile 364.0 Upper Mississippi River. From 
January 17 through March 1, 1997 the drawspan may remain in the closed 
to navigation position. Bridge opening requests must be made 24 hours 
in advance by calling the Bridge Manager or Work Foreman at 319-524-
3553/2442 or by calling either Mr. Mark Forest at 319-524-5329 or Mr. 
Dick Sykes at 319-524-6180.

[[Page 5157]]

    Dated: January 17, 1997.
T.W. Josiah,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-2635 Filed 2-3-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
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