Safety Zone; Saugus River, Lynn, MA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Temporary final rule.

SUMMARY:

The Coast Guard is adopting the interim safety zone published on December 29, 2008, as a temporary final rule. This rule creates a safety zone for a portion of the Saugus River in Lynn, Massachusetts as requested by the Massachusetts Highway Department (MHD), to allow for vital repair work to commence on the Route 107/Fox Hill Bridge during the winter and spring months. This zone is necessary to protect mariners from the potential hazards associated with the work being conducted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in making critical repairs to the bridge while it is closed to transiting vessels and vehicular traffic.

DATES:

Effective March 23, 2009, the interim rule amending 33 CFR Part 165 which was published at 73 FR 79363 on 29 December, 2008 is adopted without change as a temporary final rule.

ADDRESSES:

Comments and material received from the public, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, are part of docket USCG-2008-1026 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, selecting the Advanced Docket Search option on the right side of the screen, inserting USCG-2008-1026 in the Docket ID box, pressing Enter, and then clicking on the item in the Docket ID column. This material is also available for inspection or copying at two locations: The 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, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays and United States Coast Guard Sector Boston, 427 Commercial St, Boston, MA 02109 between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

If you have questions on this temporary rule, call Chief Petty Officer Eldridge McFadden, Waterways Management at 617-223-3000. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory Information

On December 29, 2008, we published an interim rule with request for comments entitled “Safety Zone, Saugus River, Lynn, MA” in the Federal Register (73 FR 79363). We did not receive any letters commenting on the interim rule. No public meeting was requested, and none was held.

Background and Purpose

A meeting between the Coast Guard, local lobstermen, local marina operators, lobster purchasing agents, and the bridge owner, MHD, was held on September 10, 2008. The owner of the bridge presented engineering evidence of the poor condition of the bridge and the need to perform major bridge repairs during the winter months. It was concluded that in order to keep the bridge operating safely and reliably until the major repairs can commence, the number of bridge openings must be reduced to save wear and tear on the mechanical components. A temporary deviation from standard bridge operation was deemed necessary in order to insure that the bridge continues to operate in a safe and reliable manner until the major repairs can be made. No objection to the proposed temporary deviation schedule was voiced by interested parties. In a rulemaking supporting that decision, the Coast Guard published a temporary change to the Saugus Drawbridge Operation regulations (USCG-2008-0969) in the Federal Register on October 15, 2008 (73 FR 60954) allowing a deviation of the drawbridge operating guidelines. That regulation, effective from October 15, 2008 through December 15, 2008, allowed the bridge to remain closed, opening on signal only on the half hour and hour.

In addition, the long term repairs may only take place by closing the bridge to both vehicular and vessel traffic, and removing portions of the bridge for work. Massachusetts Highway Department must bring in a large crane barge in order to conduct work on the bridge. This barge will be crossing the river, effectively restricting the use of the river. Frequently moving the barge to allow vessel traffic to pass is contrary to the public interest as it would further delay the bridge repairs well into the summer months, which are the primary boating and fishing seasons in Massachusetts. In order the assist the local lobstermen, MHD proposed to install a temporary dock system on the downstream of the existing bridge to mitigate the impacts of closing the bridge and blocking the channel with a large work barge. During the meeting the lobstermen indicated that the proposed dates for the bridge closure and waterway restriction along with the installation of a temporary dock system would be a good compromise that would satisfy their needs and still allow the rehabilitation bridge repairs to be completed late May 2009.

An additional meeting between the Coast Guard, town officials, harbormaster and MHD took place on December 4, 2008 at which time the MHD agreed to work with affected waterway users to remove the crane barge restricting the waterway on no more than six occasions during the repair process to allow vessels, that are able, to pass beneath the bridge while in a closed position.

On December 10, 2008, Captain of the Port Boston signed an Interim Rule creating a safety zone upriver of the Route 107/Fox Hill Bridge on the Saugus River in Lynn, MA. That rule was subsequently published in the Federal Register on 29 December 2008 as (73 FR 79363). We did not receive comments on the interim rule.

Discussion of Rule

The COTP Boston is adopting the currently effective interim rule, reflected in 33 CFR 165.T01-1026, as a temporary final rule. This rule establishes a safety zone that prohibits vessels from coming within 50 yards of the upriver side of 107/Fox Hill Bridge in the Saugus River in Lynn, Massachusetts. While this safety zone has the practical effect of closing a portion of the waterway, the Captain of the Port anticipates minimal negative impact on vessel traffic because (1) Recreational boating traffic is limited this particular time of year, (2) the MHD has made alternate mooring and docking arrangements for the fishermen which typically dock on the up river side of the bridge, and (3) MHD will remove the crane barge restricting waterway access under the bridge on at least six occasions allowing vessel traffic, which may do so, to pass beneath the closed bridge. Public notifications will be made prior to and during the effective period via Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners.

Regulatory Analyses

We are adopting the interim rule as a temporary final 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.

Regulatory Planning and Review

This rule is not a significant regulatory action under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866, Regulatory Planning and 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 expects the economic impact of this temporary rule to be so minimal that a full Regulatory Evaluation is unnecessary. Although this rule may prevent traffic from transiting a portion of the Saugus River during the bridge repairs, the effect of this rule will not be significant for several reasons: Alternate arrangements for the offload and mooring of fishing vessels have been made, recreational boaters typically have their boats out of the water at this time of year in order to protect them from winter icing, MHD will remove the crane barge restricting waterway access on at least six occasions as requested by a waterway users (during which times vessel operators may request permission to transit through the safety zone promulgated by this rule), and continued notifications will be made to the local maritime community by broadcast and local notice to mariners.

Small Entities

Under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 601-612), we have considered whether this 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 rule will 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 fishing and recreational vessels intending to transit or anchor in a portion of the Saugus River from midnight December 14, 2008 through midnight on May 15, 2009. This closure will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities for the reasons described under the Regulatory Planning and Review section.

Assistance for Small Entities

Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we offer to assist small entities in understanding the rule so that they could better evaluate its effects on them and participate in the rulemaking process.

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.

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).

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

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 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.

Taking of Private Property

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

Civil Justice Reform

This 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.

Protection of Children

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

Indian Tribal Governments

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.

Energy Effects

We have analyzed this rule under Executive Order 13211, Actions Concerning Regulations That Significantly Affect Energy Supply, Distribution, or Use. We have determined that it is not a “significant energy action” under that order 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.

Technical Standards

The National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act (NTTAA) (15 U.S.C. 272 note) directs agencies to use voluntary consensus standards in their regulatory activities unless the agency provides Congress, through the Office of Management and Budget, with an explanation of why using these standards would be inconsistent with applicable law or otherwise impractical. Voluntary consensus standards are technical standards (e.g., specifications of materials, performance, design, or operation; test methods; sampling procedures; and related management systems practices) that are developed or adopted by voluntary consensus standards bodies.

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

Environment

We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security Management Directive 0023.1 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 concluded this action is one of a category of actions which do not individually or cumulatively have a significant effect on the human environment. This rule is categorically excluded, under figure 2-1 paragraph (34)(g) of the Instruction.

No comments relating to environmental issues were received in response to the Interim Rulemaking/Request for Comment, and no additional environmental concerns have been discovered in connection with this action. The final environmental analysis checklist and a categorical exclusion determination are available in the docket where indicated under ADDRESSES.

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 amends 33 CFR part 165 as follows:

PART 165—REGULATED NAVIGATION AREAS AND LIMITED ACCESS AREAS

For the reasons discussed in the preamble, under authority of 33 U.S.C. 1226, 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; Public Law 107-295, 116 Stat. 2064; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1., the interim rule amending 33 CFR 165.T01-1026 that was published at 73 FR 79363 on 29 December, 2008 is adopted without change as a temporary final rule.