Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Sturgeon Bay, WI, 28309-28311 [2011-12011]
Download as PDF
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
ACTION:
Notice of availability.
The Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is announcing the
availability of Compliance Policy Guide
Sec. 335.700, Surgeons’ Gloves and
Patient Examination Gloves; Defects—
Criteria for Direct Reference Seizure (the
CPG). The CPG, which was originally
issued in 1991, provides guidance to
FDA staff on the submission of seizure
recommendations for medical gloves
that exceed the defect levels in FDA
regulations. The CPG has been revised
to remove an appendix that became
obsolete when the regulations were
amended, and to make other minor
changes for clarity and consistency with
the amended regulation.
DATES: Submit either electronic or
written comments on the CPG at any
time.
ADDRESSES: Submit written requests for
single copies of the CPG to the Division
of Compliance Policy (HFC–230), Office
of Enforcement, Food and Drug
Administration, 5600 Fishers Lane,
Rockville, MD 20857. Send one selfaddressed adhesive label to assist that
office in processing your request. See
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
for electronic access to the CPG.
Submit electronic comments on the
CPG to https://www.regulations.gov.
Submit written comments on the CPG to
the Division of Dockets Management
(HFA–305), Food and Drug
Administration, 5630 Fishers Lane, rm.
1061, Rockville, MD 20852.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
David R. Kalins, Center for Devices and
Radiological Health, Food and Drug
Administration, 10903 New Hampshire
Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20993, 301–
796–6612.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
I. Background
FDA is announcing the availability of
a guidance document entitled
‘‘Compliance Policy Guide Sec. 335.700,
Surgeons’ Gloves and Patient
Examination Gloves; Defects—Criteria
for Direct Reference Seizure.’’ The CPG
provides guidance to FDA staff on the
submission of seizure recommendations
for medical gloves that exceed the defect
levels in 21 CFR 800.20. The CPG was
originally issued on May 31, 1991, and
was previously revised in July 2005. It
is currently being revised to remove an
appendix that became obsolete when an
amendment to 21 CFR 800.20 became
effective December 19, 2008. The
amended rule includes changes
intended to improve the barrier quality
of medical gloves marketed in the
United States by reducing the
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:18 May 16, 2011
Jkt 223001
acceptable quality levels (AQLs) for
leaks and visual defects observed during
FDA testing of medical gloves. The CPG
was revised for consistency with the
AQLs in the amended regulation. The
text of the CPG also includes a number
of minor edits made for clarity. This
document supersedes Compliance
Policy Guide Sec. 335.700, Surgeons’
Gloves and Patient Examination Gloves;
Defects—Criteria for Direct Reference
Seizure dated July 2005.
FDA is issuing the CPG as Level 2
guidance consistent with FDA’s good
guidance practices regulation (21 CFR
10.115). The CPG represents FDA’s
current thinking on the criteria for
direct reference seizure of defective
medical gloves. It does not create or
confer any rights for or on any person
and does not operate to bind FDA or the
public. An alternative approach may be
used if such approach satisfies the
requirements of the applicable statutes
and regulations.
II. Comments
Interested persons may submit to the
Division of Dockets Management (see
ADDRESSES) either electronic or written
comments regarding the CPG. It is only
necessary to send one set of comments.
It is no longer necessary to send two
copies of mailed comments. Identify
comments with the docket number
found in brackets in the heading of this
document. Received comments may be
seen in the Division of Dockets
Management between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.,
Monday through Friday.
III. Electronic Access
Persons with access to the Internet
may obtain the CPG at either https://
www.fda.gov/ora/compliance_ref/cpg/
default.htm or at https://
www.regulations.gov.
Dated: May 5, 2011.
Dara A. Corrigan,
Associate Commissioner for Regulatory
Affairs.
[FR Doc. 2011–12037 Filed 5–16–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4160–01–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG–2011–0316]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation;
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Sturgeon
Bay, WI
AGENCY:
PO 00000
Coast Guard, DHS.
Frm 00007
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
28309
Notice of temporary deviation
from regulations; request for comments.
ACTION:
Commander, Ninth Coast
Guard District, has issued a temporary
deviation from the regulation governing
the operation of the Michigan Street and
Maple-Oregon Street Bridges across the
Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, at miles 4.3
and 4.17, respectively, both in Sturgeon
Bay, Wisconsin. This deviation will test
a change to the drawbridge operation
schedules during the peak tourist and
navigation seasons to provide for the
efficient movement of vehicular traffic
and the safety of navigation on the
waterway. This deviation will allow
scheduled openings for recreational
vessels and openings on signal for
commercial vessels.
DATES: This deviation is effective from
noon on May 27, 2011 through noon on
September 16, 2011. Comments and
related material must be received by the
Coast Guard by September 16, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2011–0316 using any one of the
following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202–493–2251.
(3) Mail: 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.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail
address above, between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number
is 202–366–9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only
one of these four methods. See the
‘‘Public Participation and Request for
Comments’’ portion of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
below for instructions on submitting
comments.
SUMMARY:
If
you have questions on this proposed
rule, call or e-mail Mr. Lee D. Soule,
Bridge Management Specialist;
telephone 216–902–6085, facsimile
216–902–6088, or e-mail
lee.d.soule@uscg.mil. If you have
questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, call Renee V.
Wright, Program Manager, Docket
Operations, telephone 202–366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Public Participation and Request for
Comments
We encourage you to participate in
this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related materials. All
E:\FR\FM\17MYR1.SGM
17MYR1
28310
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
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.
Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please
include the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG–2011–0316),
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 (https://
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 https://
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 e-mail
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
https://www.regulations.gov, click on the
‘‘submit a comment’’ box, which will
then become highlighted in blue. In the
‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘USCG–2011–
0316,’’ click ‘‘Search,’’ and then click on
the balloon shape in the ‘‘Actions’’
column. If you submit your comments
by mail or hand delivery, submit them
in an unbound format, no larger than
81⁄2 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.
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with RULES
comments received will be posted,
without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov and will include
any personal information you have
provided.
Privacy Act
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as
documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to
https://www.regulations.gov, click on the
‘‘read comments’’ box, which will then
become highlighted in blue. In the
‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘USCG–2011–
0316’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the
‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’
column. You may also visit 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,
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:18 May 16, 2011
Jkt 223001
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).
Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public
meeting. But you may submit a request
for one on or before September 1, 2011
by 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.
Basis and Purpose
The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal is
approximately 8.6 miles long and
provides a navigable connection
between Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
The area experiences a significant
increase in vehicular and vessel traffic
during the peak tourist and navigation
season, between approximately
Memorial Day and Labor Day each year.
There are a total of three highway
drawbridges across the waterway. The
Michigan Street Bridge provides
unlimited vertical clearance in the open
position and 14 feet in the closed
position. Maple-Oregon Bridge provides
unlimited vertical clearance in the open
position and 25 feet in the closed
position. Bay View Bridge also provides
unlimited vertical clearance in the open
position and 42 feet in the closed
position. Both Michigan Street and
Maple-Oregon Bridges serve the
downtown Sturgeon Bay area and are
located approximately 750-feet apart on
the canal.
A final rule, CGD9–05–080, was
published in the October 24, 2005
edition of the Federal Register (70 FR
61380) to allow:
(1) The draw of the Michigan Street
Bridge to open for recreational vessels
on the hour 24 hours a day from March
15 through December 31 and on signal
if at least 12 hours notice is given from
January 1 through March 14 The final
rule also included a requirement to
open at any time if 20 or more vessels
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
gathered or vessels are seeking shelter
from severe weather; and
(2) The draw of the Bayview (SR42/
57) Bridge, mile 3.3 Sturgeon Bay to
open on signal from March 15 through
November 30; and on signal if at least
12 hours notice is given from December
31 through March 14.
A temporary final rule, USCG–2009–
0385, was published in the June 5, 2009
edition of the Federal Register (74 FR
26954), effective from June 5, 2009 to
November 15, 2010 that essentially
shifted the March 15 through December
31 one bridge opening per hour at
Michigan Street Bridge to the MapleOregon Bridge while the rehabilitation
of Michigan Street was completed and
the bridge was kept in the open-tonavigation position.
Both drawbridges are now operational
for vehicular and vessel traffic and the
one opening per hour schedule for
Michigan Street Bridge is reinstated
while Maple-Oregon Bridge opens at
any time for vessels. With both
Michigan Street and Maple-Oregon
Bridges operational the one opening per
hour schedule for Michigan Street is
considered restrictive for vessels, and
could potentially create an unsafe
condition for vessel traffic that may be
between the two closely located
drawbridges while waiting for bridge
openings. The Wisconsin Department of
Transportation (WDOT) requested
scheduled drawbridge openings for both
Michigan Street and Maple-Oregon
Bridges so vehicular traffic congestion
would not develop on downtown
Sturgeon Bay streets due to
unscheduled bridge openings.
Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District,
evaluated that request, as well as the
need to provide efficient and safe bridge
openings for vessels, and along with
WDOT and local stakeholders
developed this temporary test
drawbridge schedule for the 2011 peak
tourist and navigation season.
Throughout the temporary drawbridge
schedule WDOT will post signs at both
drawbridges and collect vehicular traffic
and bridge opening data. Public
comments will also be accepted
throughout the test period.
Temporary Drawbridge Schedule
From noon on May 27, 2011 through
noon on September 16, 2011, 24-hours
per day and 7-days per week, the
Michigan Street Bridge at mile 4.3 over
the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal will open
on the hour and half-hour for
recreational vessels, if needed. The
Maple-Oregon Bridge at mile 4.17 will
open fifteen-minutes before the hour
and fifteen minutes after the hour for
recreational vessels, if needed. Both
E:\FR\FM\17MYR1.SGM
17MYR1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 95 / Tuesday, May 17, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
bridges will open on signal for all
commercial vessels, federal, state, and
local government vessels used for public
safety, vessels in distress, or seeking
shelter from severe weather. If at any
time more than 10 vessels accumulate at
either bridge the bridge will open and
allow all vessel traffic to clear the
bridge. Vessels that may pass under the
bridges without an opening may do so
at anytime. In accordance with 33 CFR
117.35(e), the drawbridges must return
to their regular operating schedule
immediately at the end of the
designated time period. This deviation
from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: April 22, 2011.
Scot M. Striffler,
Bridge Program Manager, Ninth Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 2011–12011 Filed 5–16–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG–2010–0972]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations;
Bayou Liberty, Mile 2.0, St. Tammany
Parish, Slidell, LA
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of temporary deviation
from regulations; request for comments.
AGENCY:
ACTION:
The Commander, Eighth
Coast Guard District, has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulation
governing the operation of the S433
Bridge over Bayou Liberty, mile 2.0, St.
Tammany Parish, Slidell, LA. This
deviation will test a change to the
drawbridge operation schedule to
determine whether a permanent change
to the schedule is needed. It will allow
the bridge to remain unmanned during
most of the day by requiring a one-hour
notice for an opening of the draw from
7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and a two-hour notice
from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. seven days a week.
The Coast Guard may publish a
Supplemental Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking to make this deviation
permanent.
jdjones on DSK8KYBLC1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
This deviation is effective from
June 1, 2011 through September 9, 2011.
Comments and related material must
be received by the Coast Guard on or
before July 15, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
DATES:
13:18 May 16, 2011
If
you have questions on this proposed
rule, call or e-mail Jim Wetherington;
Bridge Administration Branch, Eighth
Coast Guard District, telephone 504–
671–2128, e-mail
james.r.wetherington@uscg.mil. If you
have questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, call Renee V.
Wright, Program Manager, Docket
Operations, telephone 202–366–9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
VerDate Mar<15>2010
2010–0972 using any one of the
following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal:
https://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202–493–2251.
(3) Mail: 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.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail
address above, between 9 a.m. and
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number
is 202–366–9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only
one of these four methods. See the
‘‘Public Participation and Request for
Comments’’ portion of the
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section
below for instructions on submitting
comments.
Jkt 223001
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 https://
www.regulations.gov and will include
any personal information you have
provided.
Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please
include the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG–2010–0972),
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 (https://
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 https://
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
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
28311
the Docket Management Facility. We
recommend that you include your name
and a mailing address, an e-mail
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
https://www.regulations.gov, click on the
‘‘submit a comment’’ box, which will
then become highlighted in blue. In the
‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘USCG–2010–
0972,’’ click ‘‘Search,’’ and then click on
the balloon shape in the ‘‘Actions’’
column. If you submit your comments
by mail or hand delivery, submit them
in an unbound format, no larger than
81⁄2 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.
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as
documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to
https://www.regulations.gov, click on the
‘‘read comments’’ box, which will then
become highlighted in blue. In the
‘‘Keyword’’ box insert ‘‘USCG–2010–
0972’’ and click ‘‘Search.’’ Click the
‘‘Open Docket Folder’’ in the ‘‘Actions’’
column. You may also visit 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.
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).
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
E:\FR\FM\17MYR1.SGM
17MYR1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 95 (Tuesday, May 17, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 28309-28311]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-12011]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2011-0316]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal,
Sturgeon Bay, WI
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary
deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Michigan
Street and Maple-Oregon Street Bridges across the Sturgeon Bay Ship
Canal, at miles 4.3 and 4.17, respectively, both in Sturgeon Bay,
Wisconsin. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge
operation schedules during the peak tourist and navigation seasons to
provide for the efficient movement of vehicular traffic and the safety
of navigation on the waterway. This deviation will allow scheduled
openings for recreational vessels and openings on signal for commercial
vessels.
DATES: This deviation is effective from noon on May 27, 2011 through
noon on September 16, 2011. Comments and related material must be
received by the Coast Guard by September 16, 2011.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2011-0316 using any one of the following methods:
(1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov.
(2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
(3) Mail: 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.
(4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone
number is 202-366-9329.
To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on
submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed
rule, call or e-mail Mr. Lee D. Soule, Bridge Management Specialist;
telephone 216-902-6085, facsimile 216-902-6088, or e-mail
lee.d.soule@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing or submitting
material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket
Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Public Participation and Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting
comments and related materials. All
[[Page 28310]]
comments received will be posted, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any personal information you have
provided.
Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG-2011-0316), 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 (https://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 https://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 e-mail 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 https://www.regulations.gov,
click on the ``submit a comment'' box, which will then become
highlighted in blue. In the ``Keyword'' box insert ``USCG-2011-0316,''
click ``Search,'' and then click on the balloon shape in the
``Actions'' column. 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.
Viewing Comments and Documents
To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble
as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov,
click on the ``read comments'' box, which will then become highlighted
in blue. In the ``Keyword'' box insert ``USCG-2011-0316'' and click
``Search.'' Click the ``Open Docket Folder'' in the ``Actions'' column.
You may also visit 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.
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).
Public Meeting
We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a
request for one on or before September 1, 2011 by 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.
Basis and Purpose
The Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal is approximately 8.6 miles long and
provides a navigable connection between Lake Michigan and Green Bay.
The area experiences a significant increase in vehicular and vessel
traffic during the peak tourist and navigation season, between
approximately Memorial Day and Labor Day each year.
There are a total of three highway drawbridges across the waterway.
The Michigan Street Bridge provides unlimited vertical clearance in the
open position and 14 feet in the closed position. Maple-Oregon Bridge
provides unlimited vertical clearance in the open position and 25 feet
in the closed position. Bay View Bridge also provides unlimited
vertical clearance in the open position and 42 feet in the closed
position. Both Michigan Street and Maple-Oregon Bridges serve the
downtown Sturgeon Bay area and are located approximately 750-feet apart
on the canal.
A final rule, CGD9-05-080, was published in the October 24, 2005
edition of the Federal Register (70 FR 61380) to allow:
(1) The draw of the Michigan Street Bridge to open for recreational
vessels on the hour 24 hours a day from March 15 through December 31
and on signal if at least 12 hours notice is given from January 1
through March 14 The final rule also included a requirement to open at
any time if 20 or more vessels gathered or vessels are seeking shelter
from severe weather; and
(2) The draw of the Bayview (SR42/57) Bridge, mile 3.3 Sturgeon Bay
to open on signal from March 15 through November 30; and on signal if
at least 12 hours notice is given from December 31 through March 14.
A temporary final rule, USCG-2009-0385, was published in the June
5, 2009 edition of the Federal Register (74 FR 26954), effective from
June 5, 2009 to November 15, 2010 that essentially shifted the March 15
through December 31 one bridge opening per hour at Michigan Street
Bridge to the Maple-Oregon Bridge while the rehabilitation of Michigan
Street was completed and the bridge was kept in the open-to-navigation
position.
Both drawbridges are now operational for vehicular and vessel
traffic and the one opening per hour schedule for Michigan Street
Bridge is reinstated while Maple-Oregon Bridge opens at any time for
vessels. With both Michigan Street and Maple-Oregon Bridges operational
the one opening per hour schedule for Michigan Street is considered
restrictive for vessels, and could potentially create an unsafe
condition for vessel traffic that may be between the two closely
located drawbridges while waiting for bridge openings. The Wisconsin
Department of Transportation (WDOT) requested scheduled drawbridge
openings for both Michigan Street and Maple-Oregon Bridges so vehicular
traffic congestion would not develop on downtown Sturgeon Bay streets
due to unscheduled bridge openings. Commander, Ninth Coast Guard
District, evaluated that request, as well as the need to provide
efficient and safe bridge openings for vessels, and along with WDOT and
local stakeholders developed this temporary test drawbridge schedule
for the 2011 peak tourist and navigation season. Throughout the
temporary drawbridge schedule WDOT will post signs at both drawbridges
and collect vehicular traffic and bridge opening data. Public comments
will also be accepted throughout the test period.
Temporary Drawbridge Schedule
From noon on May 27, 2011 through noon on September 16, 2011, 24-
hours per day and 7-days per week, the Michigan Street Bridge at mile
4.3 over the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal will open on the hour and half-
hour for recreational vessels, if needed. The Maple-Oregon Bridge at
mile 4.17 will open fifteen-minutes before the hour and fifteen minutes
after the hour for recreational vessels, if needed. Both
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bridges will open on signal for all commercial vessels, federal, state,
and local government vessels used for public safety, vessels in
distress, or seeking shelter from severe weather. If at any time more
than 10 vessels accumulate at either bridge the bridge will open and
allow all vessel traffic to clear the bridge. Vessels that may pass
under the bridges without an opening may do so at anytime. In
accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridges must return to their
regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: April 22, 2011.
Scot M. Striffler,
Bridge Program Manager, Ninth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-12011 Filed 5-16-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P