
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 159 (Friday, August 18, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 56470-56471]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-17750]



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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2023-0175]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Pequonnock River, Bridgeport, CT

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is removing the existing drawbridge operation 
regulation for the East Washington Street Bridge across the Pequonnock 
River, mile 0.6, Bridgeport, CT. The drawbridge was converted to a 
fixed bridge in 2022 and the operating regulation is no longer 
applicable or necessary.

DATES: This rule is effective August 18, 2023.

ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being 
available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov, type USCG-
2023-0175. In the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' In the Document 
Type column, select ``Supporting & Related Material.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed 
rule, call or email Ms. Stephanie E. Lopez, First Coast Guard District, 
Project Officer, telephone (212) 514-4335, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
Pub. L. Public Law
Sec.  Section
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

    The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule without prior notice and 
opportunity to comment pursuant to authority under section 4(a) of the 
Administrative Procedure Act (APA) (5 U.S.C. 553(b)). This provision 
authorizes an agency to issue a rule without prior notice and 
opportunity to comment when the agency for good cause finds that those 
procedures are ``impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to the public 
interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C. 553(b), the Coast Guard finds that good 
cause exists for not publishing a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 
with respect to this rule because it is unnecessary. The East 
Washington Street Bridge, that once required draw operations in 33 CFR 
117.219(c), was converted to a fixed bridge in 2022. Therefore, the 
regulation is no longer applicable and shall be removed from 
publication. It is unnecessary to publish an NPRM because this 
regulatory action does not purport to place any restrictions on 
mariners but rather removes a restriction that has no further use or 
value.
    Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause 
exists for making this rule effective in less than 30 days after 
publication in the Federal Register because it is unnecessary. The 
bridge has been a fixed bridge for one year and this rule merely 
requires an administrative change to the Federal Register, in order to 
omit a regulatory requirement that is no longer applicable or 
necessary. The modification to a fixed bridge has already taken place 
and the removal of the regulation will not affect mariners currently 
operating on this waterway.

III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule

    The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority 33 U.S.C. 499.
    The East Washington Street Bridge was converted to a fixed bridge 
in 2022. It has come to the attention of the Coast Guard that the 
governing regulation for this drawbridge was never removed subsequent 
to the completion of the conversion to a fixed bridge. The conversion 
of this drawbridge to fixed bridge necessitates the removal of the 
drawbridge operation regulation, 33 CFR 117.219(c), that pertains to 
the former drawbridge.
    The purpose of this rule is to remove paragraph (c) of 33 CFR 
117.219 that refers to the East Washington Street Bridge across the 
Pequannock River, mile 0.6, Bridgeport, CT from the Code of Federal 
Regulations since it governs a drawbridge that can longer be opened.

IV. Discussion of Final Rule

    The Coast Guard is removing the regulation in 33 CFR 117.219(c) 
related to the draw operations for this bridge because it is no longer 
a drawbridge. The change removes the paragraph of the regulation 
governing the East Washington Street Bridge since the bridge has been 
converted to a fixed bridge. This Final Rule seeks to update the Code 
of Federal Regulations by removing language that governs the operation 
of the East Washington Street Bridge, which in fact is no longer a 
drawbridge. This change does not affect waterway or land traffic. This 
change does not affect, nor does it alter the operating schedules in 33 
CFR 117.219 (a) and (b) that govern the remaining active drawbridges on 
the Pequonnock River.

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.

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. 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).
    This regulatory action determination is based on the fact that the 
bridge was modified to a fixed bridge and no longer operates as a 
drawbridge. The removal of the operating schedule from 33 CFR 
117.219(c) will have no effect on the movement of the Pequonnock River 
or land traffic.

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 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 final rule would 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 
section.

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    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.

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 
Management Directive 023-01, Rev.1, associated implementing 
instructions, and Environmental Planning Policy COMDTINST 5090.1 
(series) which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National 
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f). The 
Coast Guard has 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 promulgates the operating 
regulations or procedures for drawbridges and is categorically excluded 
from further review, under paragraph L49, of Chapter 3, Table 3-1 of 
the U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementation Procedures.
    Neither a Record of Environmental Consideration nor a Memorandum 
for the Record are required for this rule.

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; Department of Homeland 
Security Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3.


0
2. Amend Sec.  117.219 by removing paragraph (c).

    Dated: July 28, 2023.
J.W. Mauger,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2023-17750 Filed 8-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


