[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 9 (Friday, January 13, 2006)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 2151-2152]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-333]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD05-05-041]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, 
South Branch of the Elizabeth River, Chesapeake, VA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Interim Rule; reopening of comment period.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is reopening the period for public comment 
concerning drawbridge operation regulations; Atlantic Intracoastal 
Waterway, South Branch of the Elizabeth River, Chesapeake, VA, because 
the Dominion Boulevard (U.S. 17) Bridge is utilized frequently and 
members of the public have communicated to the Coast Guard that they 
would like to make additional comments.

DATES: Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before March 10, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Identify your comments and related material by the docket 
number for this rulemaking [CGD05-05-041]. To make sure they do not 
enter the docket more than once, please submit them by only one of the 
following means:
    (1) By mail to Commander (obr), Fifth Coast Guard District, 431 
Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704.
    (2) By hand delivery to Commander (obr), Fifth Coast Guard 
District, 431 Crawford Street, Portsmouth, VA 23704, between 8 a.m. and 
4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is (757) 398-6222.
    (3) By fax to the Bridge Administration office at (757) 398-6334.
    Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District (obr) maintains the public 
docket for this rulemaking. Comments and material received from the 
public, as well as documents indicated in this preamble, will become 
part of this docket and will be available for inspection or copying at 
the address listed above between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through 
Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this notice, contact 
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Commander (obr) Fifth Coast Guard District, by 
telephone at (757) 398-6222, or by e-mail at 
[email protected]. For questions on viewing or submitting 
material to the docket, contact Mr. Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Bridge 
Administrator, Fifth Coast Guard District, at (757) 398-6222.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Regulatory History

    On May 10, 2005, the Coast Guard published a Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (70 FR 24492). That document contains a detailed history of 
the Coast Guard's previous regulatory efforts regarding the Dominion 
Boulevard (U.S. 17) Bridge.
    On August 19, 2005, the Coast Guard published an interim rule with 
request for comments entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulations; 
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, South Branch of the Elizabeth River, 
Chesapeake, VA'' (70 FR 48637). That document also contains a detailed 
history of the Coast Guard's previous regulatory efforts.

Reason for Reopening the Comment Period

    In response to the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, the Coast Guard 
received more than 700 comments from the public and in response to the 
interim rule received 32 comments from the public. The Coast Guard also 
received a letter from the Mayor of the City of Chesapeake, which 
requested an additional comment period. This letter was prompted by 
several phone conversations between the Bridge Administration Staff for 
the Fifth Coast Guard District and City of Chesapeake officials 
regarding the possible changes to the bridge schedule. This letter 
accurately describes the substance of these phone conversations and has 
been added to the docket for this rulemaking.
    This rulemaking will affect numerous vehicle commuters and also 
maritime traffic. Therefore, the Coast Guard is seeking comment from 
the public before proceeding. During this time we will also accept 
comments from any other interested party. The Coast Guard requests that 
you not re-submit comments already in the docket.

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
your comments to Commander (obr), Fifth

[[Page 2152]]

Coast Guard District as specified in ADDRESSES. We will consider 
comments received during this additional comment period and may change 
the rule in response to the comments.

    Dated: January 5, 2006.
Larry L. Hereth,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 06-333 Filed 1-12-06; 8:45 am]
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