[Federal Register: November 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 218)] [Rules and Regulations] [Page 61519-61520] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12no99-20] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 117 [CCGD08-99-014] RIN 2115-AE47 Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Illinois River, IL AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT. ACTION: Final Rule ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is amending the drawbridge regulation for remote operation of the Elgin, Joliet and Eastern Railroad (E.J. & E.), Drawbridge at Mile 290.1 on the Illinois Waterway. The present regulation states the bridge is remotely operated from the E.J. & E. offices in Gary, Indiana. The regulation as amended, allows E.J. & E. Railroad Company to relocate the remote operator to their office in East Joliet, Illinois, approximately 1.5 miles from the bridge. The operation of the bridge will be unaffected by the proposed relocation of the operator. DATES: This rule is effective November 12, 1999. ADDRESSES: Documents as indicated in this preamble are available for inspection or copying at the offices of the Commander, Bridge Branch, Eighth Coast Guard District, 1222 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63103- 2832, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is 314-539-3900, extension 378. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District, 314-539-3900, Ext. 378. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Regulatory History This rule is being published as a final rule and is effective upon publication in the Federal Register. Relocation of the bridge operator and the associated address change will not affect operation of the bridge, and will have no impact on navigation or the public. For these reasons, the Coast Guard for good cause finds, under 5 U.S.C 553(b)(B) and (d)(3), that notice, and public procedure on the notice, before the effective date of this rule are unnecessary and that this rule should be made effective in less than 30 days after publication. Background Presently E.J. & E. Railway Company remotely operates this bridge from their offices in Gary, Indiana, approximately 40 miles distant from the bridge. The [[Page 61520]] bridge operator will be moved to East Joliet, Illinois approximately 1.5 miles distant from the bridge, without changing the present operation of the bridge. This rule requires E.J. & E. Railroad to operate the bridge from their offices in East Joliet, Illinois. No other changes to the present operation of the bridge are planned. Regulatory Evaluation This is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of the 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 this proposal to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation under paragraph 10e of the regulatory policies and procedures of DOT is unnecessary. The regulation change will not affect the present safe operation of the bridge. Small Entities Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), the Coast Guard must consider whether this regulation change will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small entities include 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. Since the regulation change will have no affect on present operating conditions for rail or river traffic, there will be little, if any impact on small entities. Therefore, the Coast Guard certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this regulation change will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Collection of Information This regulation change does not provide for a collection of information under the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Federalism The Coast Guard has analyzed this regulation change under the principles and criteria contained in Executive Order 13132 and have determined that this regulation change does not have implications for federalism under that Order. Environment The Coast Guard considered the environmental impact of this regulation change and concluded that under Figure 2-1, paragraph 32(e) of Commandant Instruction M16475.1C, this regulation change is categorically excluded from further environmental documentation. This regulation change merely alters the drawbridge operating regulations to coincide with present operating conditions. A ``Categorical Exclusion Determination'' is available in the docket for inspection or copying where indicated under ADDRESSES. List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117 Bridges. Regulations For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33 CFR part 117 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); section 117.255 also issued under the authority of Pub. L. 102-587, 106 Stat. 5039. Sec. 117.393 [Amended] 2. In Sec. 117.393, paragraph (d) is amended by removing the words ``Gary, Indiana,'' and adding in their place the words ``East Joliet, Illinois,''. Dated: October 7, 1999. Paul J. Pluta, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 99-29505 Filed 11-10-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-15-U