Coast Guard November 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice is to inform the public that on January 25, 2005, the U.S. Embassy in London deposited a declaration with the International Maritime Organization stating that the express approval of the U.S. Government will be necessary before Regulations 19, 20, and 21 of the revised Annex I of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL 73/78) would enter into force for the U.S.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary regulated navigation area (RNA) on the waters of San Carlos Bay, Florida. The regulated navigation area (RNA) is needed to minimize the risk of potential bridge allisions by vessels utilizing the main channel under span ``A'' (bascule portion) of the Sanibel Island Causeway Bridge and enhance the safety of vessels transiting the area and vehicles crossing over the bridge. This proposed rule would apply vessel traffic regulations to vessels in the RNA.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone covering certain waters of the Potomac River within a 500-foot radius of an explosives demolition site at the Virginia approach of the old Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge, located near Alexandria, Virginia, in position latitude 38[deg]47'36'' N, longitude 077[deg]02'19'' W. This safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of life and property during the fracturing of the west counterweight box by the use of explosives. This safety zone is intended to restrict maritime traffic in order to protect mariners from the hazards associated with the demolition.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulations that govern the operation of the Route 35 Bridge, at New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW) mile 1.1, across Manasquan River, at Brielle, New Jersey. The final rule will allow the drawbridge to provide vessel openings upon four hours advance notice from December 1 to March 31. This change will eliminate the continual attendance of draw tender services during the non-peak boating season while still providing the reasonable needs of navigation.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in Kealakekua Bay on the Island of Hawaii. This zone is established at the request of the Hawaii County Civil Defense due to mudslides and falling rocks. These falling rocks present a hazard to users of Kealakekua Bay. Entry of persons or vessels into this temporary safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP).

The Coast Guard proposes to change the operating regulations of the Outer Clam Bay boardwalk bridge, mile 0.3, near North Naples in Collier County, Florida. This proposed rule would require the draw to open on signal, with at least 30 minutes advance notice. This proposed action will allow the unrestricted movement of pedestrian traffic while not unreasonably interfering with the movement of vessel traffic.

The Coast Guard is revising the Missouri River drawbridge regulations covering Iowa, Kansas, and Missouri. The revisions will have the bridges open on signal except during the winter season which will require 24 hours advanced notice. These revisions to the regulations will reduce delays of the vessels transiting through these States on the Missouri River.

The Coast Guard hereby amends the special anchorage area in Falmouth, Maine, Casco Bay. This action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation and provide mariners a safe and secure anchorage for vessels of not more than 65 feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property on Casco Bay, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Loop Parkway Bridge across Long Creek at mile 0.7, at Jones Beach, New York. Under this temporary deviation, the Loop Parkway Bridge need not open for the passage of vessel traffic from 8:30 a.m. through 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. through 4:30 p.m., daily, from November 5, 2006 through December 20, 2006. A single bridge opening for all inbound commercial fishing vessels shall be provided, if a request to open the bridge is given, during the 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. bridge closure period. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard has revised its proposal to change the operation of the Pekin Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 151.2, at Pekin, Illinois and the Chessie Railroad Drawbridge, Mile 254.1 at Seneca, Illinois across Illinois Waterway. The present regulation requires revision to reflect the actual procedures that have always been followed. The current regulation was intended to be temporary, for test purposes only, and was inadvertently permanently included. The revision would eliminate the ``Specific Requirements'' for remote operation and the bridge would continue to operate, as required by the Coast Guard, under the ``General Requirements''. In addition the Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the operation of the Chessie Railroad Drawbridge across the Illinois Waterway, Mile 254.1, at Seneca, Illinois. The existing regulation requires the drawspan to open on signal. This change is necessary to reflect a change in operating procedure.

The Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the SR 175 Bridge, at mile 3.5, across Chincoteague Channel at Chincoteague Island, Virginia. This change is necessary to help relieve vehicular traffic congestion and reduce traffic delays while still balancing the needs of marine and vehicular traffic.

The Lower Mississippi River Waterway Safety Advisory Committee (LMRWSAC) will meet to discuss various issues relating to navigational safety on the Lower Mississippi River and related waterways. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is changing the operating regulation governing the operation of the SE. Third Avenue, Andrews Avenue and Marshal (Seventh Avenue) bridges across the New River, miles 1.4, 2.3, and 2.7 and the regulations governing the operation of the Davie Boulevard (SW. Twelfth Street) bridge across the New River, South Fork, mile 0.9, Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Florida.

The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) will hold a meeting to discuss various issues relating to national maritime security. This notice announces the date, time, and location for the meeting of the NMSAC.

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Henry Ford Drawbridge across the Cerritos Channel, mile 4.8 at Los Angeles, CA. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed- to-navigation position during the deviation period. The deviation is necessary for the bridge owner, the Port of Los Angeles, to perform critical repairs which involve modifications to allow for the inspection of the bridge's counterweight wire ropes.

The Coast Guard proposes the establishment of a 1000 foot safety zone around a fireworks display for the North Carolina Parks and Recreation Conference occurring on November 12, 2006, on the Trent River, New Bern, NC. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on the Trent River. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with fireworks displays.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of San Carlos Bay, Florida in the vicinity of the Sanibel Island Bridge span ``A'' while bridge construction is conducted. This rule is necessary to ensure the safety of the construction workers and mariners on the navigable waters of the United States.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, mile 103.8, across Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland. This deviation allows the new drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning on October 25, 2006 until and including December 24, 2006, to facilitate completion of the Outer Loop portion for the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge construction project.