Document ID: USCG-2017-0713-0002
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Wappoo Creek, Charleston, SC
Posted Date: 2018-04-04T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 65 (Wednesday, April 4, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 14365-14366]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-06863]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0713]
RIN 1625-AA09

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
Wappoo Creek, Charleston, SC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that 
governs SR 171/700 (Wappoo Cut) Bridge across Wappoo Creek (AICW), mile 
470.8, at Charleston, SC. This action will eliminate the seasonal 
operating schedules and adjust the daily operating schedule. This 
action is intended to reduce vehicular traffic congestion and provide a 
more consistant operating schedule for the bridge.

DATES: This rule is effective May 4, 2018.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov. Type USCG-
2017-0713 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open 
Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email LT Justin Heck, Coast Guard Sector Charleston, SC, 
Waterways Management Division; telephone 843-740-3184, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
OMB Office of Management and Budget
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Advance, Supplemental)
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code
AICW Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
SC South Carolina
SR State Route

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    On December 15, 2017, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal 
Waterway, Wappoo Creek, Charleston, SC in the Federal Register (82 FR 
59562). We received zero comments on this rule.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority in 33 U.S.C. 
499. The SR 171/700 (Wappoo Cut) Bridge across Wappoo Creek (AICW), 
mile 470.8, at Charleston, SC is a double leaf bascule bridge that 
provides a vertical clearance of 33 feet in the closed position at mean 
high water. Presently, in accordance with 33 CFR 117.911(d), the 
regulation provides three different seasonal operating schedules 
throughout the year. The modification will simplify the current 
operating schedule, allow for a more consistent and efficient operation 
of the bridge and provide relief to vehicle traffic congestion while 
meeting the reasonable needs of navigation.

IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes and the Final Rule

    The Coast Guard provided a 30 day comment period and no comments 
were received.

V. Regulatory Analyses

    We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and 
Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses 
based on a number of these statutes and Executive Orders, and we 
discuss First Amendment rights of protesters.

[[Page 14366]]

A. Regulatory Planning and Review

    Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess the 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits. Executive Order 13771 directs agencies to control 
regulatory costs through a budgeting process. This rule has not been 
designated a ``significant regulatory action,'' under Executive Order 
12866. Accordingly, it has not been reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) and pursuant to OMB guidance it is exempt 
from the requirements of Executive Order 13771.
    This regulatory action determination is based on the ability for 
vessels to transit the bridge once an hour during the day, except 
during the allowed closure times. Vessels in distress, public vessels 
of the United States and tugs with tows would be allowed to pass at any 
time.

B. 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 received zero comments from the Small Business 
Administration on this rule. The Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 
605(b) that this rule will not have a significant economic impact on a 
substantial number of small entities.
    While some owners or operators of vessels intending to transit the 
bridge may be small entities, for the reasons stated in section V.A 
above, this rule will not have a significant economic impact on any 
vessel owner or operator.
    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 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.
    Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal 
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal 
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory 
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory 
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and 
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to 
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR 
(1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small 
entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or 
action of the Coast Guard.

C. Collection of Information

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

D. Federalism and Indian Tribal Government

    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 rule under that Order and have 
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism 
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order 
13132.
    Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive 
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal 
Governments, because it does 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.
    No comments were received; therefore, no changes were made to the 
regulatory text.

E. 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 rule will not result in 
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere 
in this preamble.

F. Environment

    We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security 
Directive 023-01, which guides the Coast Guard in complying with the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f), and 
have determined 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 rule involves the operating regulations or 
procedures for drawbridges. It is categorically excluded from further 
review under paragraph L49 of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS Instruction 
Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01. A Record of Environmental Consideration 
and a Memorandum for the Record are not required for this rule.

G. 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.

List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117

    Bridges.

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

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; and Department of 
Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.

0
2. Amend Sec.  117.911 by revising paragraph (d) to read as follows:

Sec.  117.911  Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Little River to Savannah 
River.

* * * * *
    (d) SR 171/700 (Wappoo Cut) Bridge across Wappoo Creek, mile 470.8, 
at Charleston, SC. The draw shall open on signal; except that the draw 
need not open from 6 a.m. to 9:29 a.m. and 3:31 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. Between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need 
open only once an hour on the half hour.
* * * * *

    Dated: March 9, 2018.
Peter J. Brown,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 2018-06863 Filed 4-3-18; 8:45 am]
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