[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1524-1525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-725]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD7-95-069]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
Florida

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from regulations and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Coast Guard has issued a 
temporary deviation to the regulations governing the J.D. Butler 
(Hillsboro Boulevard, State Road 810) drawbridge, mile 1050.0, at 
Deerfield Beach, from December 1, 1995 through February 28, 1996. This 
deviation authorizes the bridge owner to open the draw on signal, 
except that, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, the draw 
need open only on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and forty 
minutes after the hour; and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through 
Sunday and federal holidays, the draw need open only on the hour and 
half-hour. The purpose of this temporary change in opening schedule 
from Friday through Sunday and federal holidays is to test the 
feasibility of establishing a permanent change to the seasonal opening 
restrictions to reduce severe vehicular traffic congestion without 
unreasonably impacting navigation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from December 1, 1995 through 
February 28, 1996, unless sooner terminated.
    Comments on the alternate schedule must be received on or before 
February 28, 1996.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast 
Guard District, Brickell Plaza Federal Building, Room 406, 909 SE. 1st 
Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-3050. The comments and other materials 
referenced in this notice will be available for inspection and copying 
at the above address. Normal office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Comments may also 
be hand-delivered to the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Brodie Rich, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard 
District, at 305-536-5117.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in 
this evaluation of possible changes to the regulations governing the 
J.D. Butler Drawbridge over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway by 
submitting written data, or arguments for or against this deviation. 
Persons submitting comments should include their name, address, 
identify this rulemaking (CGD7-95-069) and give the reason for each 
comment. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should 
enclose a stamped-addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period and determine whether to 

[[Page 1525]]
initiate a rulemaking to propose a permanent change to the drawbridge 
operation schedule. Persons may submit comments by writing to the 
Commander (oan), Seventh Coast Guard District listed under ADDRESSES.

Background and Purpose

    On November 28, 1994, the City Manager of Deerfield Beach requested 
a change from the current seasonal operating schedule in Title 33 CFR 
117.261(bb) to a year-round hour and half-hour opening schedule. A 
Coast Guard analysis of highway traffic and bridge opening data 
provided by the Florida Department of Transportation which was 
completed on May 8, 1995, indicated the heavy traffic congestion is 
limited to weekends during the winter tourist season. This deviation 
will allow a test of the proposed hour and half-hour opening schedule 
during the heaviest highway and waterway traffic periods. If the test 
reduces highway traffic congestion without unreasonably impacting 
navigation, the Coast Guard plans to publish a Notice of Proposed Rule 
Making which will again request comments on a permanent change to the 
regulations.
    Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in 
a situation where a delay would endanger life or property shall, upon 
proper signal, be passed through the draw at any time.
    This deviation from normal operating regulations (33 CFR 117.5) is 
authorized in accordance with the provisions of Title 33 of the Code of 
Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.43.

    Dated: December 20, 1995.
Roger T. Rufe, Jr.,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 96-725 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am]
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