[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 7, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 36569-36570]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17188]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-99-034]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Mullica River, New Jersey

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
Green Bank drawbridge across Mullica River, Mile 18.0, at Atlantic 
County and Burlington County, New Jersey. Beginning at 6 a.m. August 
15, 1999, and continuing until 6 p.m. November 13, 1999, the bridge 
will only open for the passage of recreational and commercial vessels 
on the hour and half hour. This temporary deviation is needed to test 
the effects of such a schedule on navigation and vehicular traffic 
transiting over and under the bridge.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 6 a.m. August 15, 1999, until 6 
p.m. November 13, 1999. Comments must be received by December 13, 1999.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Commander (Aowb), Fifth Coast 
Guard District, Federal Building, 4th Floor, 431 Crawford Street, 
Portsmouth, Virginia 23704-5004, or may be hand delivered to the same 
address between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. Comments will become a part of this docket and will 
be available for inspection and copying at the above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ann B. Deaton, Bridge Administrator, 
Fifth Coast Guard District, at 757-398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

[[Page 36570]]

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages interested parties to comment on this 
temporary deviation. You may submit written data, views, or arguments 
relating this schedule during the test period. Persons submitting 
comments should include their names and addresses, identify this 
temporary deviation (CGD05-99-034) and the particular part of this 
deviation to which each comment applies, and the reason for each 
comment. The Coast Guard requests that all comments and attachments be 
submitted in an unbound format suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should 
enclose a stamped self-addressed postcard or envelope.
    The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the 
comment period. The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. You may 
request a public hearing by writing to the Commander, Fifth Coast Guard 
District, at the address under ADDRESSES. The request should include 
reasons why a hearing would be helpful. If the Coast Guard decides to 
hold a public hearing, we will announce the hearing in a separate 
notice in the Federal Register.
    The drawbridge across Mullica River is owned and operated by 
Atlantic County, New Jersey. On September 3, 1998, the Coast Guard 
received a letter from Atlantic County requesting a temporary deviation 
from the normal operation of the bridge. They wanted to test a proposed 
change to the current regulations for the Green Bank Drawbridge by 
changing the opening schedule to openings on the hour and half hour for 
recreational and commercial vessels. The current regulation at Title 
33, Code of Federal Regulations Section 117.731a(b), requires the draw 
to open on signal, except from April 1 through November 30, from 11 
p.m. to 7 a.m., and from December 1 through March 31, at all times, a 
four-hour notice is required.
    The temporary deviation will change the periods of opening on 
signal to openings on the hour and half hour for a period of 90 days. 
The temporary deviation will not alter sections 117.731a (b) and (c), 
of the Code of Federal Regulations, which states that the draw need not 
open unless at least a four-hour notice is given from April 1, through 
November 30, 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. and December 1 through March 31, at all 
times. The draws shall open as soon as possible during periods when 
four-hour notice is required for vessels in distress, public vessels of 
the United States, and state and local vessels used for public safety 
purposes.
    Following the temporary deviation, the Coast Guard will review 
drawbridge logs and vehicular traffic counts to determination how the 
opening schedule met the needs of navigation and vehicular traffic.
    Beginning August 15, 1999, and continuing until November 13, 1999, 
this deviation requires the bridge to open for recreational and 
commercial vessels on the hour and half hour, 24 hours a day. The four 
hour minimum notification period for vessels seeking to transit between 
the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. remains in effect during the deviation 
period.

    Dated: June 24, 1999.
Thomas E. Bernard,
Captain, Coast Guard, Fifth Coast Guard District, Acting District 
Commander.
[FR Doc. 99-17188 Filed 7-6-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M