Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Newtown Creek, Dutch Kills, English Kills and Their Tributaries, New York City, NY, 11321-11322 [2014-04373]

Download as PDF emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 40 / Friday, February 28, 2014 / Rules and Regulations for the safe movement of vehicular traffic during major plant reconstruction on one side of the waterway and the resulting change in work schedule and increase in workforce transiting the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain temporarily closed to navigation for an additional one hour in the evening during weekdays for two months. DATES: This deviation is effective from 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, 2014 through 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2014. ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG–2014–0065] is available at https://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email David Frank, Bridge Administration Branch, Coast Guard; telephone 504–671–2128, email David.M.Frank@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl F. Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202–366– 9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A member of the Louisiana State Legislature requested a temporary deviation from the operating schedule on the SR 23 vertical lift span bridge, also known as the Judge Perez Bridge, across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. The deviation requested allows the bridge to remain closed to navigation for an additional one hour in the evening, Monday through Friday, for two months. The Louisiana Legislature makes this request to support and assist in the safe movement of increased vehicular traffic across the bridge during the evening hours, resulting from a change in the work schedule and increased work force related to a major plant reconstruction at the Conoco/Phillips Refinery in Alliance. This temporary deviation will also help to minimize the effects of the additional traffic on local residents. Presently, in accordance with 33 CFR 117.451(b), the draw 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. VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:46 Feb 27, 2014 Jkt 232001 Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, the draw need not open for the passage of vessels. This temporary deviation allows the vertical lift bridge to remain closed to navigation for one additional hour in the afternoon to extend the afternoon curfew hours from 3:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday from Wednesday, March 5, 2014 through Wednesday, April 30, 2014. In case of an emergency, the bridge will be able to open for the passage of vessels. The SR 23 vertical lift span drawbridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Louisiana has a vertical clearance of 40 feet above mean high water in the closed-tonavigation position and 100 feet above mean high water in the open-tonavigation position. Navigation on the waterway consists primarily of tugs with tows, commercial fishing vessels, and occasional recreational craft. Mariners may use the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Harvey Canal) to avoid unnecessary delays. The Coast Guard has coordinated this closure with the Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA). The GICA representative indicated that the vessel operators will be able to schedule transits through the bridge such that operations will not significantly be hindered. Thus, it has been determined that this closure will not have a significant effect on these vessels. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35, the draw bridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. Dated: February 13, 2014. David M. Frank, Bridge Administrator. [FR Doc. 2014–04354 Filed 2–27–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 117 [USCG–2014–0024] Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Newtown Creek, Dutch Kills, English Kills and Their Tributaries, New York City, NY AGENCY: PO 00000 Coast Guard, DHS. Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 11321 Notice of temporary deviation from regulations. ACTION: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, across Newtown Creek, mile 1.3, at New York City, New York. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge painting operations at the bridge. This temporary deviation authorizes the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge to remain in the closed position for up to six consecutive days followed by four consecutive days of full operation at various times during the effective period of this deviation. DATES: This deviation is effective from May 1, 2014 through September 30, 2014. ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG–2014–0024] is available at https://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Ms. Judy LeungYee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, judy.k.leung-yee@uscg.mil, or (212) 668–7165. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202–366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, across Newtown Creek, mile 1.3, at New York City, New York, has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 26 feet at mean high water and 31 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.801(g). The waterway is transited by commercial and seasonal recreational vessels of various sizes. The bridge owner, New York City Department of Transportation, requested approval to allow the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge to remain in the closed position for up to six consecutive days followed by four days of full operation to facilitate bridge sandblasting and painting operations. The bridge painting closures can only be implemented between May and September in order to minimize impacts to commercial barge SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\28FER1.SGM 28FER1 11322 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 40 / Friday, February 28, 2014 / Rules and Regulations traffic carrying home heating oil upstream. The Coast Guard contacted all known commercial waterway users regarding this deviation and no objections were received. Under this temporary deviation the draw of the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge may remain in the closed position at various times during this deviation for up to six consecutive days followed by four days of full bridge operation. Each six day closure will be announced two weeks in advance in the Local Notice to Mariners (LNTM) along with a Broadcast Notice to Mariners (BNTM) to help facilitate marine transportation system planning. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge 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: February 11, 2014. C.J. Bisignano, Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2014–04373 Filed 2–27–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Table of Acronyms Coast Guard DHS Department of Homeland Security FR Federal Register NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking SNPRM Supplemental Notice of Proposed Rulemaking RNA Regulated Navigation Area 33 CFR Part 165 [Docket No. USCG–2012–0080] RIN 1625–AA11 Regulated Navigation Area; Southern Oahu Tsunami Vessel Evacuation Honolulu, HI Coast Guard, DHS. Final rule. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent regulated navigation area (RNA) in the waters off Southern Oahu, Hawaii, enforcement of which will take place only when a tsunami warning is issued for the Hawaiian Islands by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Tsunami warnings require the evacuation of a large number of vessels from their respective harbors. Following the evacuation, these vessels must remain offshore until the emergency situation has passed and the harbors have been deemed safe for reentry. Past tsunami warnings have created potentially dangerous offshore traffic congestion between commercial and recreational vessel traffic. Because of this, designated vessel traffic staging areas emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with RULES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 are necessary for a safe and orderly evacuation of Southern Oahu ports. DATES: This rule is effective March 31, 2014. ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble are part of docket USCG– 2012–0080. To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https:// www.regulations.gov, type the docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this rulemaking. 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. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, call or email Lieutenant Commander Scott Whaley of the United States Coast Guard Sector Honolulu at 808–522– 8264 ext. 3352 or Scott.O.Whaley@ uscg.mil, respectively. If you have questions on viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone (202) 366–9826. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 16:46 Feb 27, 2014 Jkt 232001 A. Regulatory History and Information The Coast Guard collaborated with the Hawaii Ocean Safety Team, the Industry Advisory Board and other industry partners in the initial development of this rule. On May 14, 2013, the Coast Guard published an NPRM in the Federal Register (78 FR 28170). The Coast Guard received a number of comments which, after careful consideration, prompted the Coast Guard to make significant changes to the originally proposed rule. On October 3, 2013, the Coast Guard published an SNPRM in the Federal Register (78 FR 61223), under the same docket number, which reflected changes from the original rule proposed based on comments received on the NPRM. The Coast Guard received a total of one comment on the SNPRM. That comment, along with the comments received during the initial NPRM state, are posted, without change, at https:// www.regulations.gov. To view the comments in full go to https:// www.regulations.gov, insert USCG– PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 2012–0080 in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box, and then click ‘‘SEARCH.’’ The following link will take you directly to the docket: https://www.regulations.gov/ #!docketDetail;D=USCG-2012-0080. B. Basis and Purpose The purpose of this rule is to provide vessels with an off-shore area to loiter in the event of a tsunami warning for Southern Oahu. In the event of a tsunami threat, both recreational vessels and commercial vessels may desire or be mandated to leave port to avoid potential damage to their vessel and the port. The creation of an off-shore area for vessels to loiter in an organized fashion is important to decrease confusion and unsafe conditions during the tsunami threat. This regulated navigation area is also crafted to decrease potentially dangerous off-shore traffic congestion between commercial and recreational vessel traffic by separating these classes of vessels. The Coast Guard has met with industry partners, commercial mariners, and recreational boaters in the creation of this rule. The statutory basis for this rulemaking is 33 U.S.C. 1231, which gives the Coast Guard, under a delegation from the Secretary of Homeland Security, regulatory authority to enforce the Ports and Waterways Safety Act. A regulated navigation area is a water area within a defined boundary for which regulations for vessels navigating within the area have been established to mitigate potentially hazardous conditions, such as vessel congestion, deemed to exist in that area. The purpose of this rulemaking is to provide greater safety for vessels and maritime commerce in the event of a tsunami threat. C. Discussion of Comments, Changes and the Final Rule The Coast Guard received a total of one comment on the SNPRM published on October 3, 2013, in the Federal Register. The commenter suggested changes to the rule to more accurately reflect use of the 50-fathom curve as a point of reference. The coordinates of the RNA and staging areas have been modified to reflect a more accurate use of the 50fathom line as the northern-most border for the RNA. Other non-substantive edits, intending only to simplify the language, were made to the final rule. D. Discussion of the Final Rule Honolulu Harbor has only one entrance for large commercial vessels and is the principle harbor of Hawaii’s hub and spoke maritime commerce E:\FR\FM\28FER1.SGM 28FER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 40 (Friday, February 28, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11321-11322]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-04373]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[USCG-2014-0024]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Newtown Creek, Dutch Kills, 
English Kills and Their Tributaries, New York City, NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, across Newtown Creek, mile 1.3, at New York 
City, New York. The deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge 
painting operations at the bridge. This temporary deviation authorizes 
the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge to remain in the closed position for up to 
six consecutive days followed by four consecutive days of full 
operation at various times during the effective period of this 
deviation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from May 1, 2014 through September 
30, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2014-0024] is available 
at https://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' 
box and click ``SEARCH.'' Click on Open Docket Folder on the line 
associated with this deviation. 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.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Ms. Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, 
First Coast Guard District, judy.k.leung-yee@uscg.mil, or (212) 668-
7165. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Cheryl Collins, 
Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, across Newtown 
Creek, mile 1.3, at New York City, New York, has a vertical clearance 
in the closed position of 26 feet at mean high water and 31 feet at 
mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are 
listed at 33 CFR 117.801(g).
    The waterway is transited by commercial and seasonal recreational 
vessels of various sizes.
    The bridge owner, New York City Department of Transportation, 
requested approval to allow the Greenpoint Avenue Bridge to remain in 
the closed position for up to six consecutive days followed by four 
days of full operation to facilitate bridge sandblasting and painting 
operations. The bridge painting closures can only be implemented 
between May and September in order to minimize impacts to commercial 
barge

[[Page 11322]]

traffic carrying home heating oil upstream. The Coast Guard contacted 
all known commercial waterway users regarding this deviation and no 
objections were received.
    Under this temporary deviation the draw of the Greenpoint Avenue 
Bridge may remain in the closed position at various times during this 
deviation for up to six consecutive days followed by four days of full 
bridge operation.
    Each six day closure will be announced two weeks in advance in the 
Local Notice to Mariners (LNTM) along with a Broadcast Notice to 
Mariners (BNTM) to help facilitate marine transportation system 
planning.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge 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: February 11, 2014.
C.J. Bisignano,
Supervisory Bridge Management Specialist, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-04373 Filed 2-27-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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