[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 63 (Monday, April 2, 2001)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 17511-17512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-8015]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD11-01-006]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Cerritos Channel, Long Beach, 
CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

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

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Henry Ford Avenue railroad drawbridge , mile 4.8 across the Cerritos 
Channel at Long Beach, California. This deviation will test a change to 
the drawbridge operation to determine whether a permanent change is 
needed. The deviation allows the bridge to be maintained in the closed 
to navigation position and open fully and completely when requested for 
the passage of waterway traffic. This deviation is for the purpose of 
testing the ``best fit'' operation of the bridge, to reduce wear-and-
tear on the operating machinery of the bridge, while continuing to meet 
the reasonable needs of navigation.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on May 2, 2001, 
until 11:59 p.m. July 2, 2001. Comments must be received July 17, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Comments and related material may be mailed or hand-
delivered to: Commander (oan-2), eleventh Coast Guard District, Bldg. 
50-6, Coast Guard Island, Alameda, CA 94501-5100. The Commander (oan-
2), Eleventh Coast Guard District, maintains the public docket for this 
deviation. Comments and material received from the public, as well as 
documents indicate in this notice as being available in the docket, are 
part of the docket [CGD11-01-06] and are available for inspection or 
copying at the same address between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David H. Sulouff, Chief, Bridge 
Section; Eleventh Coast Guard District, Bldg 50-6 Coast Guard Island, 
Alameda, CA 94501-5100, telephone (510) 437-3516.

[[Page 17512]]


SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    The Coast Guard encourages all interested persons to comment on 
this test schedule by submitting written data, views, or arguments. 
Persons submitting comments should identify this deviation, the 
specific section of the deviation to which each comment applies, and 
the reason for each comment. All comments and attachments must be 
submitted in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ x 11 inches, 
suitable for copying. Persons wanting acknowledgement of receipt of 
comments should enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope. 
All comments and other materials referenced in this notice will be 
available for inspection and copying at the Coast Guard location under 
ADDRESSES, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The Coast Guard will consider all comments and 
material received during the comment period.

Public Hearing

    The Coast Guard plans no public hearing. Interested persons may 
request a public hearing by writing to the Coast Guard at the address 
under ADDRESSES. The request should include the reasons why a hearing 
should be beneficial. If it determines that the opportunity for oral 
presentations will be beneficial, the Coast Guard will hold a public 
hearing at a time and place to be announced by a later notice in the 
Federal Register.

Discussion of Deviation

    The Henry Ford bridge, mile 4.8 across the Cerritos Channel, Long 
Beach, California, provides 7.3 feet above mean high water when closed. 
Vessels that can pass under the bridge without an opening may do so at 
all times. This deviation has been coordinated in advance with, the 
U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Office Los Angeles/Long Beach, U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District, fire departments for the 
cities of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the ports of Los Angeles and Long 
Beach, Alameda Corridor, commercial operators and marinas on the 
waterway.
    The existing drawbridge regulation requires the drawspan to be 
maintained in the open-to-navigation position and lowered only for 
passage of land traffic. This deviation from the existing regulation 
will allow the bridge to be maintained in the closed-to-navigation 
position and operated in compliance with the General Drawbridge 
Operation Regulations under 33 CFR 117, subpart A. During the 60-day 
test period, the bridge will open fully and completely when requested 
for the passage of waterway traffic. This deviation is for the purpose 
of testing the ``best fit'' operation of the bridge, to reduce wear-
and-tear on the operating machinery of the bridge, while continuing to 
meet the reasonable needs of navigation. At the conclusion of the 60-
day test period, the drawspan will resume operation in compliance with 
33 CFR, 117.147(b).

    Dated: March 21, 2001.
E.R. Riutta,
U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 01-8015 Filed 3-30-01; 8:45 am]
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