[Federal Register Volume 62, Number 99 (Thursday, May 22, 1997)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27962-27963]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 97-13509]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD09-97-014]
RIN 2115-AE47


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Manistee River, MI

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District has authorized a 
temporary 90-day deviation from the current bridge operating 
regulations for the Maple Street bridge, mile 1.1, and the U.S. Route 
31 bridge, mile 1.4, both over the Manistee River in Manistee, MI. The 
temporary deviation was issued at the request of the City of Manistee, 
MI, to test a proposed change to the times that both bridges are 
required to open on signal. The deviation changes the current hours of 
6 a.m. to 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

DATES: The effective date of this temporary deviation is May 31, 1997 
and it will expire on August 31, 1997. Comments must be received July 
21, 1997.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed or delivered to Commander (obr), 
Ninth Coast Guard District, 1240 E. Ninth St., Room 2019, Cleveland, OH 
44199-2060, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The telephone number is (216) 902-6084.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Scot M. Striffler, Project 
Manager, at (216) 902-6084.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Requests for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to submit comments on 
the operating schedule during the temporary deviation. Persons 
submitting comments should include their name, address, identify this 
notice (CGD09-97-014), and the reason(s) for each comment. The Coast 
Guard requests that all comments and attachments be submitted in an 
8\1/2\'' x 11'' unbound format suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. If that is not practical, a second copy of any bound material 
is requested. Persons wanting acknowledgement of receipt of comments 
should enclose a stamped self-addressed post card or envelope. Persons 
may submit comment by writing to the Commander (obr), Ninth Coast Guard 
District, listed under ADDRESSES.

Background and Purpose

    The City of Manistee, MI, on behalf of the marina owners in 
Manistee, requested the Coast Guard approve a change to the operating 
regulations pertaining to the Maple Street bridge and U.S. Route 31 
bridge over the Manistee River. The City of Manistee owns and operates 
the Maple Street bridge. The Michigan Department of Transportation 
(MDOT) owns the U.S. Route 31 bridge and contracts the City of Manistee 
to operate the bridge. The marine owners and operators on Manistee Lake 
requested the hours which the bridges are required to open on signal be 
revised to allow longer evening sailing times for the vessels using the 
marinas above the bridges.
    The Coast Guard has proposed a revision to the operating schedule, 
published elsewhere in today's Federal Register.
    Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary 
deviation from the regulations for the bridges to test the proposed 
schedule before making a permanent change to the regulations. This 
temporary deviation will allow the revised bridge schedule to be tested 
for a 90-day period while still soliciting comments from the public on 
the proposed permanent change. The Coast Guard will evaluate the 
effectiveness of the revised schedule at the end of the test period to 
determine whether to permanently change the regulations.
    During the deviation period, the bridges will only be required to 
open on signal between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., 
the bridges will open if at least a 2-hour advance

[[Page 27963]]

notice is provided by vessels intending to transit the draws.

    Dated: May 7, 1997.
G.F. Woolever,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 97-13509 Filed 5-21-97; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M