[Federal Register: July 16, 2003 (Volume 68, Number 136)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 41917-41918]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr16jy03-13]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD05-03-095]
RIN 1625-AA09
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Chincoteague Channel, VA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation for
the existing SR 172 drawbridge across the Chincoteague Channel, mile
3.5, at Chincoteague, Virginia. This temporary deviation will test a
proposed change to the drawbridge operation schedule and help determine
whether a permanent change to the regulations is reasonable. This
temporary deviation will allow the Chincoteague Channel Bridge to
remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 30 and on
July 31, 2003. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate
public safety during the Annual Pony Swim.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on July 30, to 5 p.m. on
July 31, 2003. Comments must be received by September 12, 2003.
ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to Commander (oan-b), Fifth Coast
Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704, or
deliver them to the same address between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Commander, Fifth Coast
Guard District (oan-b), maintains the public docket for this
rulemaking. Comments and materials received from the public, as well as
documents indicated in this preamble as being available in the docket,
will become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or
copying at the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda L. Bonenberger, Bridge
Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6227.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking submitting
comments or related material. If you do so, please include your name
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD05-03-
095), indicate the specific section of this document to which each
comment applies, and give the reason for each comment. Please submit
all comments and related material in an unbound format, no larger than
8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know if
they reached us, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or
envelope. We will consider all comments and material received during
the comment period. Comments must be received by September 12, 2003.
Background and Purpose
The Town of Chincoteague has requested a temporary deviation from
the current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.5 that requires
the drawbridge to open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels
when a request to open is given.
The purpose of the closure is for the Annual Pony Swim across the
Assateague Channel between Assateague Island and Chincoteague
[[Page 41918]]
that takes place every year on the last Wednesday and Thursday in July.
The herd is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department and
managed by the National Park Service. This annual event began in the
1700's, but in 1925 the Fire Department took over the event that is
also referred to as the Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman's Carnival. The
proceeds from the auctioning of the ponies provide a source of revenue
for the fire company and it also serves to trim the herd's numbers. On
Wednesday, July 30, 2003, the ponies will be lead across the Assateague
Channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague where they will be
auctioned off. On Thursday, July 31, 2003, the remaining ponies will be
lead back across the channel to Assateague Island. Due to the high
volume of spectators that attend this yearly event, it is necessary to
close the draw span on each of these days between the hours of 7 a.m.
to 5 p.m. to ensure the safety of the ponies and to vehicular traffic
congestion on this small island as a result of drawbridge openings. The
drawbridge will resume opening on demand after 5 p.m. on July 30, 2003,
to 7 a.m. on July 31, 2003. After 5 p.m. on July 31, 2003, the bridge
will once again resume normal operation.
Under this temporary deviation, the Chincoteague Channel Bridge may
remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July
30, 2003, and on Thursday, July 31, 2003.
Since the Pony Swim is a well-known annual event that occurs on the
last Wednesday and Thursday in July every year, and is publicly
advertised, vessel operators can arrange their transits to minimize any
impact caused by the temporary deviation.
This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under
33 CFR 117.43, and comments and information gathered during the comment
period will assist the Coast Guard in determining if this test
operating schedule is reasonable and should be made a permanent
addition to the drawbridge operation regulations.
Dated: July 9, 2003.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Section, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 03-17989 Filed 7-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P