Document ID: USCG-2013-0639-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Proposed Rule
Title: NPRM:  Drawbridge Operations: Hackensack River, Kearny and Jersey City, NJ (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2013-08-28T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 167 (Wednesday, August 28, 2013)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 53104-53107]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-20685]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-0639]
RIN 1625-AA09

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Hackensack River, Kearny and 
Jersey City, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily modify the operating 
schedule that governs the Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) Bridge across 
the Hackensack River, mile 2.0, between Kearny and Jersey City, New 
Jersey. The bridge owner, New Jersey Department of Transportation, 
submitted a request to restrict bridge openings during the morning and 
afternoon rush hour periods to alleviate traffic congestion resulting 
from area roadway closures. It is expected that this change to the 
regulations would provide relief to vehicular traffic while continuing 
to meet the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast 
Guard on or before October 28, 2013.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2013-0639 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal Rulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail or Delivery: 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. Deliveries 
accepted between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
federal holidays. The telephone number is 202-366-9329.
    See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion 
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments. To avoid duplication, please use only one of these 
four methods.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email Mr. Joe Arca, Project Officer, First Coast Guard 
District Bridge Program, telephone 212-668-7165, email 
joe.m.arca@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting 
material to the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Tables of Acronyms

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Sec.  Section Symbol
U.S.C. United States Code

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://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-2013-0639), 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 (http://

[[Page 53105]]

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 http://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 phone 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://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number USCG-2013-0639 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 them 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://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number (USCG-2013-0639) in the ``SEARCH'' box and click 
``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with 
this rulemaking. You may also visit either 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 using one of the four methods specified under 
ADDRESSES. Please explain why one 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

    The Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) Bridge at mile 2.0, across the 
Hackensack River between Kearny and Jersey City, New Jersey, has a 
vertical clearance of 40 feet at mean high water and 45 feet at mean 
low water. The drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 
117.723.
    The waterway users are recreational and commercial vessels.
    The owner of the bridge, New Jersey Department of Transportation, 
submitted a request to the Coast Guard to temporarily change the 
drawbridge operating regulations.
    The purpose of this temporary rule is to help provide relief from 
vehicular traffic congestion during the morning and afternoon vehicular 
rush hour periods due to local construction detours. Vehicular traffic 
will be detoured for two years from the adjacent Pulaski Skyway Bridge 
which will be under construction to replace its deck commencing on 
March 1, 2014 and continuing through March 1, 2016.
    The existing regulations require the bridge to open on signal at 
all times.
    Under this proposed temporary rule the Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln 
Highway) Bridge would open on signal; except that, the draw need not 
open for the passage of vessel traffic between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 2 
p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays
    Tide dependent deep draft vessels may request bridge openings 
during the rush hour closure periods provided at least a twelve hour 
advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.

 C. Discussion of Proposed Rule

    The Coast Guard proposes to change the drawbridge operation 
regulations at 33 CFR 117.723 by adding paragraph (i) to allow the 
bridge owner to keep the Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) Bridge in the 
closed position during the morning and afternoon rush hour periods 
between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except holidays, to facilitate additional vehicular traffic 
detoured from the Pulaski Skyway Bridge which will be under 
construction from March 1, 2014 through March 1, 2016.
    Tide dependent, deep draft vessels would be able to request bridge 
openings during the rush hour closure periods provided at least a 
twelve hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the 
bridge.
    Based on the above information, the Coast Guard believes it is 
reasonable to allow the Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) Bridge to remain 
in the closed position during the morning and afternoon rush hours to 
facilitate additional vehicular traffic detoured during the two year 
bridge deck replacement project at the Pulaski Skyway Bridge from March 
1, 2014 through March 1, 2016.
    The twelve hour advance notice requirement for bridge openings 
during the rush hour periods gives mariners ample time to plan and 
optimize their transits through the waterway and also gives the bridge 
owner the opportunity to alert commuters of any expected delays caused 
by pending bridge openings.
    If the Route 1 & 9 Bridge opened frequently for vessel traffic 
during the morning and afternoon rush hours, given the additional 
detoured vehicular traffic, it likely would result in significant 
vehicular traffic delays that could impact the ability for emergency 
vehicles to respond to emergency situations.

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 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 Order 12866, or under 
section 1 of Executive Order 13563. The Office of Management and Budget 
has not reviewed it under those Orders. We believe that this rule is 
not a significant regulatory action because the bridge provides 
adequate clearance for recreational vessels to transit the bridge in 
the closed position and the commercial vessels will be able to request 
openings between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. and again, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. 
provided the requisite advance notice is given by calling the number

[[Page 53106]]

posted at the bridge. Additionally, commercial deep draft vessel 
traffic may request bridge openings during the closure periods if at 
least a twelve hour advance notice is given.

2. Impact on Small Entities

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as 
amended, requires federal agencies to consider the potential impact of 
regulations on small entities during rulemaking. 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 proposed rule would affect the following entities, some of 
which might be small entities: The owners or operators of vessels 
needing to transit through the bridge between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. or 
between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
    This action will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons: The 
bridge provides 40 feet of vertical clearance at mean high water that 
should accommodate all the present vessel traffic except deep draft 
vessels. The bridge will continue to open on signal for commercial deep 
draft vessel traffic provided at least a twelve hour advance notice is 
given. Additionally, all other vessels can transit the bridge between 6 
p.m. and 6 a.m. and again, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. provided the 
requisite amount of notice is given.
    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. 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 the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT, above.
    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 the States, on the 
relationship between the national government and the States, or on the 
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of 
government. 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 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 will 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.

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 guides 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 which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant 
effect on the human environment. This proposed rule simply promulgates 
the operating regulations or procedures for drawbridges. This rule is 
categorically excluded, under figure 2-1, paragraph (32)(e), of the 
Instruction.
    Under figure 2-1, paragraph (32)(e), of the Instruction, an 
environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion 
determination are not required for this rule. We seek any comments or 
information that may lead to the discovery of significant environmental 
impact from the proposed rule.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

    For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes 
to amend 33 CFR part 117 as follows:

[[Page 53107]]

PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS

0
1. The authority citation for part 117 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05-1; Department of Homeland 
Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. From March 1, 2014 until March 1, 2016, add paragraph (i) to Sec.  
117.723 to read as follows:

Sec.  117.723  Hackensack River.

* * * * *
    (i) The draw of the Route 1 & 9 (Lincoln Highway) Bridge, mile 2.0, 
between Kearny and Jersey City, shall open on signal; except that, the 
draw need not open for the passage of vessel traffic between 6 a.m. and 
10 a.m. and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
holidays. Tide dependent deep draft vessels may request bridge openings 
between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. and between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. provided at 
least a twelve hour advance notice is given by calling the number 
posted at the bridge.

    Dated: August 7, 2013.
D.B. Abel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2013-20685 Filed 8-27-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P