Document ID: USCG-2012-0876-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: NPRM: Regulated Navigation Area: Weymouth Fore River, Fore River Bridge Construction, Weymouth and Quincy, MA (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2013-02-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 36 (Friday, February 22, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 12260-12264]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-04030]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 165

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0876]
RIN 1625-AA11

Regulated Navigation Area--Weymouth Fore River, Fore River Bridge 
Construction, Weymouth and Quincy, MA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a regulated 
navigation area (RNA) on the navigable waters of Weymouth Fore River 
under and surrounding the Fore River Bridge (Mile 3.5) between Weymouth 
and Quincy, MA until December 31, 2017. This proposed rule would allow 
the Coast Guard to enforce speed and wake restrictions and prohibit all 
vessel traffic through the RNA during bridge replacement operations, 
both planned and unforeseen, that could pose an imminent hazard to 
persons and vessels operating in the area. This rule is necessary to 
provide for the safety of life in the regulated area during the 
construction of the Fore River Bridge.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before April 23, 2013.

[[Page 12261]]

    Requests for public meetings must be received by the Coast Guard on 
or before March 15, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2012-0876 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email Mr. Mark Cutter, Coast Guard Sector Boston 
Waterways Management Division, telephone 617-223-4000, email 
Mark.E.Cutter@uscg.mil; or Lieutenant Isaac M. Slavitt, Waterways 
Management Division, U.S. Coast Guard First District, (617) 223-8385. 
If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, 
call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 
202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Table of Acronyms

COTP Captain of the Port
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
RNA Regulated navigation area

A. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov and will include 
any personal information you have provided.

1. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking (USCG-2012-0876), indicate the specific section of this 
document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. You may submit your comments and material 
online (via http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov) or by fax, mail, or 
hand delivery, but please use only one of these means. If you submit a 
comment online via www.regulations.gov, it will be considered received 
by the Coast Guard when you successfully transmit the comment. If you 
fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, it will be considered as 
having been received by the Coast Guard when it is received at the 
Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you include your name and 
a mailing address, an email address, or a telephone number in the body 
of your document so that we can contact you if we have questions 
regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to 
http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov, type the docket number (USCG-2012-
0876) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on ``Submit a 
Comment'' on the line associated with this rulemaking.
    If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and 
material received during the comment period and may change the rule 
based on your comments.

2. Viewing comments and documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to 
http:[sol][sol]www.regulations.gov, type the docket number ``USCG-2012-
0876'' in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``Search.'' Click and Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. You may also 
visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground 
floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. We have an agreement 
with the Department of Transportation to use the Docket Management 
Facility.

3. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

4. Public meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one on or before March 15, 2013 using one of the methods 
specified under ADDRESSES. Please explain why you believe a public 
meeting would be beneficial. If we determine that one would aid this 
rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and place announced by a later 
notice in the Federal Register.

B. Basis and Purpose

    Under the Ports and Waterways Safety Act, the Coast Guard has the 
authority to establish RNAs in defined water areas that are hazardous 
or in which hazardous conditions are determined to exist. See 33 U.S.C. 
1231 and Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
    The purpose of this proposed rulemaking is to provide for safety on 
the navigable waters in the regulated area.

C. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard's proposed rule would give the Captain of the Port 
Boston (COTP) the authority to establish speed and wake restrictions 
and to prohibit vessel traffic on this portion of the river for limited 
periods when necessary for the safety of vessels and workers during 
construction work in the channel. The Coast Guard would enforce a three 
knot speed limit as well as a ``NO WAKE'' zone and be able to close the 
designated area to all vessel traffic during any circumstance, planned 
or unforeseen, that poses an imminent threat to waterway users or 
construction operations in the area. Complete waterway closures would 
be minimized to that period absolutely necessary and made with as much 
advanced notice as possible. During closures, mariners could request 
permission from the COTP to transit through the RNA.
    The proposed rule was prompted by (but is not limited to) the 
navigation safety situation created by construction of the new Fore 
River Bridge (sometimes referred to as the Washington Street Bridge) 
and removal of the temporary bridge. This bridge carries State Road 3A 
over the Weymouth Fore River from Quincy to Weymouth MA. The present 
temporary Fore River Bridge was built in 2003 and was designed to be a 
15 year temporary bridge until a new bridge could be built. The old 
Fore River Bridge that was built in 1936 was

[[Page 12262]]

found to be deteriorated beyond the point of restoration in the 1990's. 
After the temporary bridge was built, the old Fore River Bridge was 
removed. The new Fore River Bridge will be located in the approximate 
location of the old Fore River Bridge. The present temporary bridge 
will reach the end of its useable life span in 2018 and the 
Massachusetts Department of Transportation (Mass-DOT) has contracted 
J.F. White-Skanska Koch to construct a new vertical replacement bridge 
and remove the temporary Bridge. J.F. White-Skanska Koch has begun 
bridge construction and is scheduled to complete the new bridge and the 
removal of the old bridge in 2017.
    The Coast Guard has discussed this project with MASS-DOT and J.F. 
White-Skanska Koch to determine whether the project can be completed 
without channel closures and, if possible, what impact that would have 
on the project timeline. Through these discussions, it became clear 
that while the majority of construction activities during the span of 
this project would not require waterway closures, there are certain 
tasks that can only be completed in the channel and will require 
closing the waterway.
    Specifically, this includes the placement of the lift span. The 
lift span is large and constructed of extremely heavy steel support 
beams that will be built on land, then floated by barge to the site and 
lifted and connected to the towers that support and operate it. The 
temporary bridge, suspended 55 feet above the water, must also be 
dismantled into small sections and lowered on to a barge below. These 
two processes will be complex and present many safety hazards including 
overhead crane operations, overhead cutting operations, potential 
falling debris, and barges positioned in the channel with a restricted 
ability to maneuver.
    In an email to the U.S. Coast Guard dated September 14, 2012, J.F. 
White-Skanska Koch outlined three phases of operations that require in-
channel work, two of which will require waterway closures. J.F. White-
Skanska Koch will notify the Coast Guard as far in advance as possible 
if additional closures are needed.
    The first proposed closure period will be for three days during the 
winter of 2014-2015. The purpose of this closure is to float in the new 
bridge lift span system by barge and install the lift span system on to 
the two towers that support the lift span system. The barge will take 
up the width of the channel, causing a closure of the channel. Once the 
barge is in place and the installation of the lift span system begins 
the barge cannot move out of the channel until the lift span has been 
installed.
    The second proposed closure period will be two separate periods for 
four to six days each starting fall of 2015 and extending to winter of 
2016. The purpose of this closure is to remove the steel support beams 
of the two temporary existing bridge spans.

D. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes 
and executive orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our 
analyses based on 13 of these statutes or executive orders.

1. Regulatory Planning and Review

    This proposed rule is not a significant regulatory action under 
section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and Review, 
as supplemented by Executive Order 13563, Improving Regulation and 
Regulatory 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.
    The Coast Guard determined that this rulemaking would not be a 
significant regulatory action for the following reasons: Vessel traffic 
would only be restricted from the RNA for limited durations and the RNA 
covers only a small portion of the navigable waterways. Furthermore, 
entry into this RNA during a closure may be authorized by the COTP 
Boston or designated representative.
    Advanced public notifications will also be made to local mariners 
through appropriate means, which may include but are not limited to the 
Local Notice to Mariners and Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

2. Impact on Small Entities

    Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have 
considered whether this proposed 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.
    The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this proposed 
rule would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial 
number of small entities. This rule will affect the following entities, 
some of which may be small entities: the owners or operators of vessels 
intending to enter, transit, anchor or moor within the regulated areas 
during a vessel restriction period.
    The RNA will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: The RNA 
will be of limited size and any waterway closures will be of short 
duration, and entry into this RNA during a closure is possible if the 
vessel has Coast Guard authorization. Additionally, before the 
effective period of a waterway closure, notifications will be made to 
local mariners through appropriate means.
    If you think that your business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have 
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see 
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what 
degree this rule would economically affect it.

3. Assistance for Small Entities

    Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement 
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small 
entities in understanding this proposed rule so that they can better 
evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking. If the 
rule would affect your small business, organization, or governmental 
jurisdiction and you have questions concerning its provisions or 
options for compliance, please contact Mr. Mark Cutter, Coast Guard 
Sector Boston Waterways Management Division, telephone 617-223-4000, 
email Mark.E.Cutter@uscg.mil. The Coast Guard will not retaliate 
against small entities that question or complain about this proposed 
rule or any policy or action of the Coast Guard.

4. Collection of Information

    This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information 
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.).

5. 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 proposed rule 
under that Order and have determined that it does not have implications 
for federalism.

6. Protest Activities

    The Coast Guard respects the First Amendment rights of protesters. 
Protesters are asked to contact the

[[Page 12263]]

person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section to 
coordinate protest activities so that your message can be received 
without jeopardizing the safety or security of people, places or 
vessels.

7. 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 (adjusted for 
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this proposed rule would not 
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule 
elsewhere in this preamble.

8. Taking of Private Property

    This proposed rule would not cause a taking of private property or 
otherwise have taking implications under Executive Order 12630, 
Governmental Actions and Interference with Constitutionally Protected 
Property Rights.

9. Civil Justice Reform

    This proposed 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.

10. Protection of Children

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Executive Order 13045, 
Protection of Children from Environmental Health Risks and Safety 
Risks. This rule is not an economically significant rule and would not 
create an environmental risk to health or risk to safety that might 
disproportionately affect children.

11. Indian Tribal Governments

    This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under 
Executive Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it would 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.

12. Energy Effects

    This proposed rule is not a ``significant energy action'' under 
Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That 
Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use 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. The Administrator of the Office of 
Information and Regulatory Affairs has not designated it as a 
significant energy action. Therefore, it does not require a Statement 
of Energy Effects under Executive Order 13211.

13. Technical Standards

    This proposed rule does not use technical standards. Therefore, we 
did not consider the use of voluntary consensus standards.

14. Environment

    We have analyzed this proposed rule under Department of Homeland 
Security Management Directive 023-01 and Commandant Instruction 
M16475.lD, which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have made a preliminary determination that this action is one of a 
category of actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a 
significant effect on the human environment. This proposed rule 
involves restricting vessel movement within a regulated navigation 
area. This rule is categorically excluded from further review under 
paragraph 34(g) of Figure 2-1 of the Commandant Instruction. A 
preliminary environmental analysis checklist supporting this 
determination is available in the docket where indicated under 
ADDRESSES. We seek any comments or information that may lead to the 
discovery of a significant environmental impact from this proposed 
rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 165

    Harbors, Marine safety, Navigation (water), Reporting and 
recordkeeping requirements, Security measures, Waterways.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165--REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

0
1. The authority citation for part 165 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1231; 46 U.S.C. Chapter 701, 3306, 3703; 50 
U.S.C. 191, 195; 33 CFR 1.05-1, 6.04-1, 6.04-6, and 160.5; Pub. L. 
107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation 
No. 0170.1.

0
2. Add Sec.  165.T01-0876 to read as follows:

Sec.  165.T01-0876  Regulated Navigation Area--Weymouth Fore River, 
Fore River Bridge Construction, Weymouth and Quincy, MA.

    (a) Boundaries. The following is a regulated navigation area; all 
navigable waters surrounding the Weymouth Fore River (Mile 3.5), 
between Weymouth and Quincy, MA; from surface to bottom, within the 
following points (NAD 83): from a line extending from 
42[deg]14'46.392'' N, 070[deg]58'2.964'' W, thence along a line 
120[deg]T to 42[deg]14'44.376'' N, 070[deg]57'52.992'' W, thence south 
along the shoreline to 42[deg]14'35.052'' N, 070[deg]57'59.364'' W, 
thence along a line 291[deg]T to 42[deg]14'38.58'' N, 
070[deg]58'15.348'' W, thence north along the shoreline to the first 
point.
    (b) Effective Dates and Enforcement Periods. This rule is effective 
and enforceable from July 1, 2013 through December 31, 2017. Periods of 
enforcement will normally be publicized in advance via Local Notice to 
Mariners or Broadcast Notice to Mariners.
    (c) Regulations.
    (1) The general regulations contained in 33 CFR 165.10, 165.11, and 
165.13 apply.
    (2) In accordance with the general regulations, entry into, 
anchoring, or movement within the RNA, during periods of enforcement, 
is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Boston 
(COTP) or the COTP's designated representative.
    (3) During periods of enforcement, entry and movement within the 
RNA is subject to a ``Slow-No Wake'' speed limit. Vessels may not 
produce more than a minimum wake and may not attain speeds greater than 
three knots unless a higher minimum speed is necessary to maintain 
steerageway when traveling with a strong current. In no case may the 
wake produced by the vessel be such that it creates a danger of injury 
to persons, or damage to vessels or structures of any kind.
    (4) During periods of enforcement, all persons and vessels must 
comply with all orders and directions from the COTP or the COTP's 
designated representative.
    (5) During periods of enforcement, upon being hailed by a Coast 
Guard vessel by siren, radio, flashing light or other means, the 
operator of the vessel must proceed as directed.
    (6) Vessel operators desiring to enter or operate within the 
regulated area when it is closed shall contact the COTP or the 
designated on-scene representative via VHF channel 16 or 617-223-3201 
(Sector Boston command Center) to obtain permission.

[[Page 12264]]

    (7) Notwithstanding anything contained in this section, the Rules 
of the Road (33 CFR part 84--Subchapter E, inland navigational rules) 
are still in effect and must be strictly adhered to at all times.

    Dated: February 5, 2013.
D.B. Abel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-04030 Filed 2-21-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P