Coast Guard December 8, 2010 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the SR 156 Benjamin Harrison Memorial Bridge, across the James River, mile 65.0, at Hopewell, VA. The deviation is necessary to facilitate mechanical repairs to the vertical lift span. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain in the closed to navigation position.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent regulated navigation area (RNA) on portions of the Thea Foss and Wheeler-Osgood Waterways in Commencement Bay, Tacoma, Washington. The RNA will protect the seabed in portions of those waterways that are subject to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) Commencement Bay Nearshore/ Tideflats superfund cleanup remediation efforts. This RNA will prohibit activities that would disturb the seabed, such as anchoring, dragging, trawling, spudding or other activities that involve disrupting the integrity of the cap. It would not affect transit or navigation of the area.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish remote drawbridge operating procedures for the Canadian National Railway Bridge across the Fox River at Mile 55.72 at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This proposed rule is intended to establish standard bridge operating conditions for both vessel and train traffic while allowing the bridge to be remotely operated.

The Coast Guard proposes the establishment of a 500 yard security zone around vessels carrying hazardous cargo, as determined by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Columbia River, when such vessels are located in the Sector Columbia River COTP Zone as defined in 33 CFR 3.65-15 and the COTP Columbia River determines that a security zone is necessary and enforcement of that security zone is practicable. The security zones will help ensure the security of the vessels themselves as well as the maritime public due to the hazardous nature of the cargo on board.