Coast Guard September 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Tower Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 59.0 at Sacramento, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the community to participate in the 5K Walk to Defeat ALS. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed- to-navigation position during the deviation period.

On June 27, 2014, Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound received a Letter of Intent (LOI) and Waterway Suitability Assessment (WSA) from Washington State Ferries (WSF) for a proposal to modify existing Washington State Ferry marine terminal operations to include the handling of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The LNG would be transferred to and used as a marine fuel by six Issaquah Class Ferries converted to use LNG propulsion systems. In accordance with regulation and policy guidance, the Captain of the Port (COTP), Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, in cooperation with key port stakeholders, will review and validate the information in the WSA. The COTP will then issue a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) to the State of Washington Department of Transportation that conveys the Coast Guard's recommendation on the suitability of the following waterways for LNG marine traffic as it relates to safety and security: Guemes Channel, Rosario Strait, Thatcher Pass, Harney Channel, Upright Channel, Wasp Channel, San Juan Channel, Spieden Channel, Haro Strait, Sidney Channel, Possession Sound, Admiralty Inlet, Puget Sound, Sinclair Inlet, Rich Passage, Elliot Bay, Admiralty Passage, North East Passage, and Colvos Passage. As part of this validation process, the Coast Guard, on November 12, 2014, published a ``Notice and Request for Comments'' in the Federal Register which solicited public comments to inform the COTP's recommendation. A number of comments were received, including two outside the comment period. This document summarizes those comments, explains whether or not they are appropriate for consideration under regulation, and provides additional information to help inform the public about the various issues raised in them.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation that governs the operation of the SR#38 Bridge in Centerton (Burlington County Route 635) over Rancocas Creek, mile 7.8, at Mt. Laurel, Westampton and Willingboro Townships in Burlington County, NJ. The new rule will change the current regulation and allow the bridge to remain in the closed position for the passage of vessels. There have been no requests for openings since the early 1990's. This rule also reflects a name change.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal, mile 5.2, at Seattle, WA. The Montlake Bridge is a double leaf bascule bridge. The deviation is necessary to allow the bridge to operate in single leaf mode during day light hours, and a full closure (both bascule leafs in the closed-to-navigation position) during night time hours while work crews replace bridge decking. This deviation allows a single leaf opening with a one hour advance notice during the day, and remains in the closed-to-navigation position at night.

The Coast Guard is establishing security zones in the waters of the Delaware River and Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, PA. These zones are intended to restrict vessels from portions of the Delaware River and Schuylkill River during the 2015 Papal visit on September 26, 2015, and September 27, 2015. During the enforcement period, no unauthorized vessels or people will be permitted to enter or move within the security zones without permission from the Captain of the Port or his designated representative. This security zone is necessary to provide security for Pope Francis.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in Lake Erie, Cleveland, OH. This safety zone is intended to restrict vessels from a portion of Lake Erie during the Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Celebration fireworks display. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect mariners and vessels from the navigational hazards associated with a fireworks display.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on Lake Washington around the east span of the 520 Bridge in Seattle, Washington due to ongoing construction. The safety zone is necessary to ensure the safety of the maritime public and workers involved in the bridge construction when construction barges are located in the east span of the bridge. The safety zone will prohibit any person or vessel from entering or remaining in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his Designated Representative.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedules that govern the Tacony-Palmyra (Route 73) Bridge over Delaware River, mile 107.2, between Tacony, PA and Palmyra, NJ and Burlington-Bristol (Route 413) Bridge over Delaware River, mile 117.8, between Burlington, NJ and Bristol, PA. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate the 2015 Papal Visit to Philadelphia, PA.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedules that govern the S.R. 44 Bridge over Mantua Creek, mile 1.7, at Paulsboro, NJ and Route 130 Bridge over Raccoon Creek, mile 1.8, at Bridgeport, NJ. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to facilitate the 2015 Papal Visit to Philadelphia, PA.

The United States Coast Guard is establishing a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA) on the navigable waters of Kill Van Kull and Newark Bay surrounding the Bayonne Bridge. In response to a planned Bayonne Bridge construction project, this rule will establish a speed restriction in the waters surrounding the Bayonne Bridge. This rule will allow the Coast Guard to prohibit vessel traffic through the RNA when necessary to safeguard people and vessels from the hazards associated with bridge construction.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) Railway Bridge across the Snake River, mile 1.5, at Burbank, WA. The deviation is necessary to accommodate maintenance to replace movable rail joints. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed- to-navigation position during maintenance activities.