[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 136 (Wednesday, July 16, 2003)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 41917-41918]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-17989]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-03-095]
RIN 1625-AA09


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Chincoteague Channel, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation for 
the existing SR 172 drawbridge across the Chincoteague Channel, mile 
3.5, at Chincoteague, Virginia. 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 Chincoteague Channel Bridge to 
remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 30 and on 
July 31, 2003. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate 
public safety during the Annual Pony Swim.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on July 30, to 5 p.m. on 
July 31, 2003. Comments must be received by September 12, 2003.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to Commander (oan-b), Fifth Coast 
Guard District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, Virginia 23704, or 
deliver them to the same address between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays. The Commander, Fifth Coast 
Guard District (oan-b), maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments and materials 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 above address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda L. Bonenberger, Bridge 
Management Specialist, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6227.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking submitting 
comments or related material. If you do so, please include your name 
and address, identify the docket number for this rulemaking (CGD05-03-
095), 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 12, 2003.

Background and Purpose

    The Town of Chincoteague has requested a temporary deviation from 
the current operating regulation set out in 33 CFR 117.5 that requires 
the drawbridge to open promptly and fully for the passage of vessels 
when a request to open is given.
    The purpose of the closure is for the Annual Pony Swim across the 
Assateague Channel between Assateague Island and Chincoteague

[[Page 41918]]

that takes place every year on the last Wednesday and Thursday in July. 
The herd is owned by the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Department and 
managed by the National Park Service. This annual event began in the 
1700's, but in 1925 the Fire Department took over the event that is 
also referred to as the Chincoteague Volunteer Fireman's Carnival. The 
proceeds from the auctioning of the ponies provide a source of revenue 
for the fire company and it also serves to trim the herd's numbers. On 
Wednesday, July 30, 2003, the ponies will be lead across the Assateague 
Channel from Assateague Island to Chincoteague where they will be 
auctioned off. On Thursday, July 31, 2003, the remaining ponies will be 
lead back across the channel to Assateague Island. Due to the high 
volume of spectators that attend this yearly event, it is necessary to 
close the draw span on each of these days between the hours of 7 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. to ensure the safety of the ponies and to vehicular traffic 
congestion on this small island as a result of drawbridge openings. The 
drawbridge will resume opening on demand after 5 p.m. on July 30, 2003, 
to 7 a.m. on July 31, 2003. After 5 p.m. on July 31, 2003, the bridge 
will once again resume normal operation.
    Under this temporary deviation, the Chincoteague Channel Bridge may 
remain in the closed position from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 
30, 2003, and on Thursday, July 31, 2003.
    Since the Pony Swim is a well-known annual event that occurs on the 
last Wednesday and Thursday in July every year, and is publicly 
advertised, vessel operators can arrange their transits to minimize any 
impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    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: July 9, 2003.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Section, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 03-17989 Filed 7-15-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P