Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), Belle Chasse, LA, 73998-74000 [2011-30636]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
73998
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
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.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
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 023–01 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 that do not
individually or cumulatively have a
significant effect on the human
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Nov 29, 2011
Jkt 226001
environment. This rule is categorically
excluded, under figure 2–1, paragraph
(34)(h), of the Instruction. This rule
involves special local regulations issued
in conjunction with a regatta. Under
figure 2–1, paragraph (34)(h), of the
Instruction, an environmental analysis
checklist and a categorical exclusion
determination are not required for this
rule.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 100
Marine safety, Navigation (water),
Reporting and recordkeeping
requirements, Waterways.
For the reasons discussed in the
preamble, the Coast Guard amends 33
CFR part 100 as follows:
PART 100—SAFETY OF LIFE ON
NAVIGABLE WATERS
1. The authority citation for part 100
continues to read as follows:
■
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 1233.
2. Add a temporary § 100.T07–0994 to
read as follows:
■
§ 100.T07–0994 Special Local Regulations;
Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta,
Biscayne Bay, Miami, FL.
(a) Regulated Areas. The following
regulated areas are established as
special local regulations. All
coordinates are North American Datum
1983.
(1) Race Area 1. All waters of
Biscayne Bay located within an 800
yard radius of position 25°43′48.36″ N,
80°13′03.30″ W.
(2) Race Area 2. All waters of
Biscayne Bay located within a 1,400
yard radius of position 25°43′40.74″ N,
80°11′37.02″ W.
(3) Race Area 3. All waters of
Biscayne Bay located within a 2,000
yard radius of position 25°42′11.40″ N,
80°12′44.52″ W.
(4) Race Area 4. All waters of
Biscayne Bay located within a 2,000
yard radius of position 25°40′17.40″ N,
80°13′26.10″ W.
(b) Definition. The term ‘‘designated
representative’’ means Coast Guard
Patrol Commanders, including Coast
Guard coxswains, petty officers, and
other officers operating Coast Guard
vessels, and Federal, state, and local
officers designated by or assisting the
Captain of the Port Miami in the
enforcement of the regulated areas.
(c) Regulations.
(1) All persons and vessels are
prohibited from entering, transiting
through, anchoring in, or remaining
within the regulated areas unless
authorized by the Captain of the Port
Miami or a designated representative.
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
(2) Persons and vessels desiring to
enter, transit through, anchor in, or
remain within the regulated areas may
contact the Captain of the Port Miami by
telephone at (305) 535–4472, or a
designated representative via VHF radio
on channel 16, to request authorization.
If authorization to enter, transit through,
anchor in, or remain within the
regulated areas is granted by the Captain
of the Port Miami or a designated
representative, all persons and vessels
receiving such authorization must
comply with the instructions of the
Captain of the Port Miami or a
designated representative.
(3) The Coast Guard will provide
notice of the regulated areas by Local
Notice to Mariners, Broadcast Notice to
Mariners, and on-scene designated
representatives.
(d) Enforcement Periods. This rule
will be enforced daily from 9:30 a.m.
until 5 p.m. on December 27, 2011
through December 30, 2011.
Dated: November 2, 2011.
C.P. Scraba,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of the
Port Miami.
[FR Doc. 2011–30713 Filed 11–28–11; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND
SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG–2011–0959]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations;
Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers
Alternate Route), Belle Chasse, LA
AGENCY:
Coast Guard, DHS.
Notice of temporary deviation
from regulations; request for comments.
ACTION:
The Commander, Eighth
Coast Guard District, has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulation
governing the operation of the SR 23
bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal
Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route),
mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines
Parish, Louisiana. This deviation will
test a change to the drawbridge
operation schedule to determine
whether a permanent change to the
schedule is needed. This test deviation
will allow the bridge to open only on
the hour during the day from Monday
through Friday, while maintaining
morning and afternoon maritime
restrictions.
SUMMARY:
E:\FR\FM\30NOR1.SGM
30NOR1
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
This deviation is effective from
December 15, 2011 through January 17,
2012.
Comments and related material must
be received by the Coast Guard on or
before January 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments
identified by docket number USCG–
2011–0959 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.
DATES:
If
you have questions on this proposed
rule, call or email Donna Gagliano,
Bridge Administration Branch, Eighth
Coast Guard District, telephone (504)
671–2128, email
Donna.Gagliano@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
comments received will be posted,
without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov and will include
any personal information you have
provided.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
Submitting Comments
If you submit a comment, please
include the docket number for this
rulemaking (USCG–2011–0959),
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
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Nov 29, 2011
Jkt 226001
comment online via https://
www.regulations.gov, 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 email 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–
0959,’’ 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–2011–
0959’’ 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
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
73999
explain why a public meeting 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 Coast Guard, at the request of the
State of Louisiana, proposes to change
the existing operating schedule for the
SR 23 vertical lift bridge across the Gulf
Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate
Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse,
Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Due to
an increase in vehicle traffic, State of
Louisiana requested a change to the
operation schedule.
Presently, under 33 CFR 117.451(b),
states: The draw of the SR 23 Bridge,
Algiers Alternate Route, mile 3.8 at
Belle Chasse, shall open on signal;
except that, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and
from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays,
the draw need not be opened for the
passage of vessels.
The test deviation would allow the
bridge to open for the passage of vessels;
except that from 6:30 a.m. until 8 p.m.
Monday through Friday, the bridge need
only open on the hour for the passage
of vessels. The bridge need not open for
the passage of vessels at 7 a.m., 8 a.m.,
4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through
Friday. This proposal will allow the
bridge to remain closed from 6:30 a.m.
until 9 a.m. and from after the 3 p.m.
opening until 6 p.m. Monday through
Friday to facilitate the movement of
vehicular traffic. Then from 8 p.m. until
6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and at
all times on weekend the bridge will
open on signal.
We are testing these potential
operating regulations adjustments to
discover any outcome in vehicular
traffic and water navigation as a result
of the time adjustments.
The proposed change would allow for
a set schedule of openings for vessels
while minimally disrupting vehicular
traffic during the morning and afternoon
schedule. Also, the proposed schedule
would allow additional time to clear
vehicular traffic and minimize the
delays caused by the openings during
the heavy commute times. As a result
very few vessels will be impacted, those
vessels should be able to modify their
transit accordingly as there is an
alternate route. The vertical clearance of
the bridge is 40 feet above mean high
water in the closed-to-navigation
position, so only vessels requiring ≤ 40
feet may transit the waterway. All
vessels waiting during the closure will
be allowed to pass during scheduled
openings.
E:\FR\FM\30NOR1.SGM
30NOR1
74000
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 230 / Wednesday, November 30, 2011 / Rules and Regulations
This deviation is effective from
December 15, 2011 until January 17,
2012.
Coordination will be through Public
Notice and Local Notice to Mariners
upon date of publication in the Federal
Register.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e),
the drawbridge must return to its 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: November 3, 2011.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011–30636 Filed 11–29–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110–04–P
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY
40 CFR Parts 52 and 81
[EPA–R06–OAR–2010–0776; FRL–9498–2]
Approval and Promulgation of
Implementation Plans and Designation
of Areas for Air Quality Planning;
Louisiana; Baton Rouge Area:
Redesignation to Attainment for the
1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard
Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ACTION: Final rule.
AGENCY:
EPA is taking final action to
approve the State of Louisiana’s request
to redesignate the Baton Rouge,
Louisiana moderate 1997 8-hour ozone
nonattainment area to attainment of the
1997 8-hour ozone standard. As a part
of this action, EPA is also approving, as
a revision to the Louisiana State
Implementation Plan (SIP), the state’s
1997 8-hour ozone maintenance plan
with a 2022 Motor Vehicle Emissions
Budget (MVEB) for the Baton Rouge
Nonattainment Area (BRNA or BR),
revisions to the Louisiana SIP that meet
the Reasonably Available Control
Technology (RACT) requirements (for
nitrogen oxides (NOX) and volatile
organic compounds (VOCs)) for the
1-hour and 1997 8-hour ozone standard
requirements, and a state rule
establishing a maintenance plan
contingency measure. EPA finds that
with this final approval the area has a
fully approved SIP that meets all of its
applicable 1997 8-hour ozone
requirements and 1-hour antibacksliding requirements under section
110 and Part D of the Federal Clean Air
Act (CAA or Act) for purposes of
redesignation.
tkelley on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with RULES
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
14:06 Nov 29, 2011
Jkt 226001
DATE:
This rule is effective December 30,
2011.
EPA has established a
docket for this action under Docket
Identification No. EPA–R06–OAR–
2010–0776. All documents in the docket
are listed on the https://
www.regulations.gov Web site. Although
listed in the index, some information is
not publicly available, i.e., Confidential
Business Information or other
information whose disclosure is
restricted by statute. Certain other
material, such as copyrighted material,
is not placed on the Internet and will be
publicly available only in hard copy
form. Publicly available docket
materials are available either
electronically through https://
www.regulations.gov or in hard copy at
the Air Planning Section, Air Planning
Branch, Multimedia Planning and
Permitting Division, U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross
Avenue, Suite 1200, Dallas, Texas
75202–2733. EPA requests that if at all
possible, you contact the person listed
in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section to schedule your
inspection. The Regional Office’s
official hours of business is Monday
through Friday, 8:30 to 4:30, excluding
Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Sandra Rennie, Air Planning Section
(6PD–L), Environmental Protection
Agency, Region 6, 1445 Ross Avenue,
Suite 700, Dallas, Texas 75202–2733,
telephone (214) 665–7367; fax number
(214) 665–7263; email address
rennie.sandra@epa.gov.
ADDRESSES:
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Throughout this document, ‘‘we,’’ ‘‘us,’’
and ‘‘our’’ means EPA.
Table of Contents
I. What is the background for this rule?
II. What comments did we receive on the
proposed rule?
III. What actions is EPA taking?
IV. Statutory and Executive Order Reviews
I. What is the background for this rule?
The background for today’s action is
discussed in detail in EPA’s August 30,
2011, proposal to approve Louisiana’s
redesignation request (76 FR 53853). In
that proposed action, we noted that,
under EPA regulations at 40 CFR part
50, the 1997 8-hour ozone standard is
attained when the three-year average of
the annual fourth-highest daily
maximum 8-hour average ozone
concentrations is less than or equal to
0.08 parts per million (ppm) (see 69 FR
23858, April 30, 2004, for more
information). Under the CAA, EPA may
redesignate a nonattainment area to
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 4700
Sfmt 4700
attainment if sufficient complete,
quality-assured data are available to
determine that the area has attained the
standard and if it meets the other CAA
redesignation requirements in section
107(d)(3)(E).
The LDEQ, on August 31, 2010,
submitted a request 1 to redesignate the
Baton Rouge area to attainment for the
1997 8-hour ozone standard. EPA has
previously determined that the BRNA
ozone nonattainment area attained both
the 1997 8-hour and 1-hour ozone
standards. The EPA determined that the
BRNA had attained the 1997 8-hour
ozone standard on September 8, 2010, at
75 FR 54779. Complete, quality-assured
monitoring data for 2006–2010 also
show that the area continues to attain
the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. EPA
also determined that the BR area met the
1-hour ozone standard on February 10,
2010 (75 FR 6570). This determination
was also based on complete, qualityassured, and certified ambient air
quality monitoring data for the 2006–
2008 ozone seasons, as well as certified
data for 2009 and 2010 that indicate the
area continues to attain the 1-hour
ozone NAAQS. Preliminary data
available for the 2011 ozone season
indicate that the area continues to be in
attainment for both ozone standards.2
Our proposed rule and Technical
Support Document provide a detailed
analysis of how Louisiana met the
redesignation requirements and other
CAA requirements. The state’s Control
Techniques Guidelines rule upon which
this action depends, was signed on
November 7, 2011, and will be
published in a separate rulemaking.
Implementation of Reformulated
Gasoline (RFG) in the Baton Rouge 5parish area remains stayed by court
order. Implementation of RFG is not
required for purposes of redesignation.
II. What comments did we receive on
the proposed rule?
EPA provided a 30-day review and
comment period, which closed on
September 29, 2011. EPA received 3
comment letters in response to the
proposed rulemaking, submitted on
behalf of the Louisiana Chemical
Association, Louisiana Mid-Continent
Oil and Gas Association, and the Baton
Rouge Area Chamber of Commerce, that
expressed overall support for EPA’s
1 The submittal was supplemented by technical
amendments on February 14, 2011, May 16, 2011,
and June 6, 2011. All submitted documents are in
the docket for this rulemaking.
2 On September 22, 2011, EPA moved ahead to
implement the 2008 8-hour ozone standard of 0.075
ppm. Memorandum from Gina McCarthy to Air
Division Directors, Regions 1–10. EPA will continue
to work with the state to implement this new
standard.
E:\FR\FM\30NOR1.SGM
30NOR1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 230 (Wednesday, November 30, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 73998-74000]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-30636]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2011-0959]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway
(Algiers Alternate Route), Belle Chasse, LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for
comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the
SR 23 bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate
Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. This
deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to
determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed. This
test deviation will allow the bridge to open only on the hour during
the day from Monday through Friday, while maintaining morning and
afternoon maritime restrictions.
[[Page 73999]]
DATES: This deviation is effective from December 15, 2011 through
January 17, 2012.
Comments and related material must be received by the Coast Guard
on or before January 30, 2012.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2011-0959 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 email Donna Gagliano, Bridge Administration Branch,
Eighth Coast Guard District, telephone (504) 671-2128, email
Donna.Gagliano@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 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-2011-0959), 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 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 email 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-2011-0959,''
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-2011-0959'' 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 a public meeting 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 Coast Guard, at the request of the State of Louisiana, proposes
to change the existing operating schedule for the SR 23 vertical lift
bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route),
mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. Due to an
increase in vehicle traffic, State of Louisiana requested a change to
the operation schedule.
Presently, under 33 CFR 117.451(b), states: The draw of the SR 23
Bridge, Algiers Alternate Route, mile 3.8 at Belle Chasse, shall open
on signal; except that, from 6 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to
5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need
not be opened for the passage of vessels.
The test deviation would allow the bridge to open for the passage
of vessels; except that from 6:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. Monday through
Friday, the bridge need only open on the hour for the passage of
vessels. The bridge need not open for the passage of vessels at 7 a.m.,
8 a.m., 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This proposal will
allow the bridge to remain closed from 6:30 a.m. until 9 a.m. and from
after the 3 p.m. opening until 6 p.m. Monday through Friday to
facilitate the movement of vehicular traffic. Then from 8 p.m. until
6:30 a.m. Monday through Friday and at all times on weekend the bridge
will open on signal.
We are testing these potential operating regulations adjustments to
discover any outcome in vehicular traffic and water navigation as a
result of the time adjustments.
The proposed change would allow for a set schedule of openings for
vessels while minimally disrupting vehicular traffic during the morning
and afternoon schedule. Also, the proposed schedule would allow
additional time to clear vehicular traffic and minimize the delays
caused by the openings during the heavy commute times. As a result very
few vessels will be impacted, those vessels should be able to modify
their transit accordingly as there is an alternate route. The vertical
clearance of the bridge is 40 feet above mean high water in the closed-
to-navigation position, so only vessels requiring <= 40 feet may
transit the waterway. All vessels waiting during the closure will be
allowed to pass during scheduled openings.
[[Page 74000]]
This deviation is effective from December 15, 2011 until January
17, 2012.
Coordination will be through Public Notice and Local Notice to
Mariners upon date of publication in the Federal Register.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to
its 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: November 3, 2011.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2011-30636 Filed 11-29-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
