[Federal Register: October 5, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 193)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56898]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr05oc07-8]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. CGD08-07-022]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Milhomme Bayou, Stephensville,
LA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the
Stephensville Bridge across Milhomme Bayou, mile 12.2, at
Stephensville, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. This deviation will test a
change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a
permanent change to the schedule is needed. The deviation will allow
the draw of the Stephensville Bridge to open on signal if at least one
hour of advance notice is given. During the advance notice period, the
draw shall open on less than one hour notice for an emergency and shall
open on demand should a temporary surge in waterway traffic occur.
DATES: This deviation is effective from October 5, 2007 until April 2,
2008.
ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander
(dpb), Eighth Coast Guard District, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans,
Louisiana 70130-3310. The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District,
Bridge Administration Branch maintains the public docket for this
rulemaking. Comments and material 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 Bridge Administration office between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bart Marcules, Bridge Administration
Branch, telephone (504) 671-2128.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
We encourage you to participate in evaluating this test schedule by
submitting comments and related material. If you do so, please include
your name and address, identify the docket number for this deviation
[CGD08-07-022], 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 by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to
know 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 December 4, 2007.
Background and Purpose
St. Martin Parish has requested that the operating regulation on
the Stephensville Bridge be changed in order to operate the bridge more
efficiently. The Stephensville Bridge is located on Milhomme Bayou at
mile 12.2 in Stephensville, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. The Bridge
has a vertical clearance of 5.8 feet above mean high water, an
elevation of 3.5 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) in the closed position and
unlimited in the open position. The Stephensville Bridge opens on
signal as required by 33 CFR 117.5. This operating schedule has been in
effect since 2002 when this bridge replaced an existing bridge in the
area.
The previous bridge's operating schedule was, ``shall open on
signal; except that, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the draw shall open on
signal if at least two hours notice is given. During the advance notice
period, the draw shall open on less than two hours notice for an
emergency and shall open on demand should a temporary surge in waterway
traffic occur.''
Since the completion of the current bridge, the waterway traffic
has been minimal and during the past twelve months an average of 5
boats per day have requested an opening. Most of the boats requesting
openings are commercial vessels consisting of tugboats with barges and
shrimp trawlers that routinely transit this waterway and are able to
give advance notice.
Due to this waterway being a secondary route, the Port Allen
Alternate route is the primary route, little impact is expected on
navigation during this test schedule period. Also, prior coordination
with the main waterway user group in the area indicates no expected
impacts.
A Notice of Proposed Rule Making [CGD08-07-023], is being issued in
conjunction with this Temporary Deviation to obtain public comments.
The Coast Guard will evaluate public comments from this Temporary
Deviation and the above referenced Notice of Proposed Rule Making to
determine if a permanent special drawbridge operating regulation is
warranted.
In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: September 21, 2007.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 07-4860 Filed 10-4-07; 8:45 am]
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