[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 111 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32004-32005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11178]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-07-044]


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

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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

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SUMMARY: The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge across Sloop Channel at mile 12.8, at 
Hempstead, New York. This deviation will test a change to the 
drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change 
to the schedule is needed. This deviation will allow the bridge to open 
on signal if at least a half-hour notice is given to the New York State 
Department of Transportation, except that, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on 
Saturdays, Sundays, and Federal holidays, the draw shall open every 
hour, on the hour, if at least a half-hour notice is given. In 
addition, the bridge need not open from 9:30 p.m. to midnight on June 
30, 2007 and the rain date July 1, 2007, if needed, and from 9 p.m. to 
11 p.m. on July 4, 2007, for the annual fireworks displays.

DATES: This deviation is effective from June 25, 2007 through November 
30, 2007. Comments must reach the Coast Guard on or before December 15, 
2007.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(dpb), First Coast Guard District Bridge Branch, One South Street, 
Battery Park Building, New York, New York, 10004, or deliver them to 
the same address between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, 
except Federal holidays. The First Coast Guard District, Bridge Branch, 
maintains the public docket for this deviation. Comments and material 
received from the public, as well as documents indicated in this notice 
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: Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First 
Coast Guard District, at (212) 668-7195.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in evaluating this test schedule by 
submitting comments or related material. If you do so, please include 
your name and address, identify the docket number for this deviation 
(CGD01-07-044), 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 December 15, 2007.

Background and Purpose

    The Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge has a vertical clearance in 
the closed position of 22 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean 
low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 
33 CFR 117.799(h).
    New York State Department of Transportation requested a temporary 
deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations to test an 
alternate drawbridge operation schedule to help better balance the 
needs between vehicular land traffic and marine vessel traffic.
    Under this temporary deviation, in effect from June 25, 2007 
through November 30, 2007, the Meadowbrook State Parkway Bridge across 
Sloop Channel at mile 12.8, shall operate as follows:
    The bridge shall open on signal if at least a half-hour notice is 
given to the New York State Department of Transportation at (631) 578-
5903, except that, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and 
Federal

[[Page 32005]]

holidays, the draw shall open on signal, every hour on the hour, if at 
least a half-hour notice is given. In addition, the bridge need not 
open from 9:30 p.m. to midnight on June 30, 2007 and the rain date July 
1, 2007, and from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4, 2007, for the annual 
fireworks display.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge must return to its 
regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the designated 
time period. This deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: June 1, 2007.
Gary Kassof,
Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.
 [FR Doc. E7-11178 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am]
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