[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 122 (Wednesday, June 25, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 37742]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-16000]


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

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-03-044]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Long Island, New York Inland 
Waterway From East Rockaway Inlet to Shinnecock Canal, NY

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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

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

SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations for the 
Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge, mile 12.8, across the Sloop Channel, 
in New York. This temporary deviation will test a proposed change to 
the drawbridge operation schedule and help determine whether a 
permanent change to the regulations is reasonable. This temporary 
deviation will allow the Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge to remain in 
the closed position from 9 p.m. to midnight on July 4, 2003. This 
temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate public safety during the 
annual Jones Beach, Fourth of July fireworks event.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before September 5, 
2003. This deviation is effective on July 4, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to Commander (obr), First Coast Guard 
District, Bridge Branch, at 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110-3350, 
or deliver them to the same address between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone number is (617) 
223-8364. The First Coast Guard District, Bridge 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 First Coast Guard District, 
Bridge Branch, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joseph Schmied, Project Officer, First 
Coast Guard District, at (212) 668-7195.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments or related material. If you do so, please include your name 
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD01-03-
044), 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\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to know if 
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 September 5, 2003.

Background and Purpose

    The Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge has a vertical clearance of 22 
feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water in the closed 
position, unlimited vertical clearance in the full open position. The 
existing regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.799(h).
    The bridge owner, the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation 
and Historic Preservation, requested that the bridge be allowed to 
remain closed from 9 p.m. to midnight, during the annual Fourth of July 
fireworks event at the Jones Beach State Park. Allowing the bridge to 
remain closed is expected to enhance public safety by allowing the 
large volume of vehicular and pedestrian traffic to safely enter and 
exit Jones Beach during this annual public event.
    Under this temporary deviation the Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge 
may remain in the closed position from 9 p.m. through midnight on July 
4, 2003.
    The Coast Guard coordinated this closure with the mariners who 
normally use this waterway to help facilitate this public event and to 
minimize any disruption to the marine transportation system.
    This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 
33 CFR 117.43, and comments and information gathered during the comment 
period will assist the Coast Guard in determining if this test 
operating schedule is reasonable and should be made a permanent 
addition to the drawbridge operation regulations.

    Dated: June 13, 2003.
John L. Grenier,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Commander, First Coast Guard 
District.
[FR Doc. 03-16000 Filed 6-24-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P