Coast Guard May 22, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard has changed the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the operation of the Bayville Bridge, mile 0.1, across Mill Neck Creek at Oyster Bay, New York. This final rule will allow the bridge to open on signal between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. from May 1 through October 31 and between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, from November 1 through April 30. At all other times the bridge will open after a two-hour advance notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge. The purpose of this rule is to help relieve the bridge owner from the burden of crewing the bridge during time periods that the bridge receives few requests to open.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the drawbridge operation regulation for the Spokane Street Bridge across the Duwamish Waterway, mile 0.3, in Seattle, Washington, by establishing two daily closed draw periods Monday through Friday. The change is necessary to help alleviate roadway traffic and will do so by preventing traffic stoppages on either side of the bridge during high volume traffic periods. Large vessels would be exempted from the closed draw periods.

The Coast Guard proposes establishment of safety zones for annual events in the Captain of the Port Detroit zone. This proposed rule consolidates current regulations establishing safety zones for annual fireworks events in the former Captain of the Port Toledo Zone and the former Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. In addition, it adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays or other events.