[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 111 (Monday, June 11, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 32005-32006]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-11179]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[CGD01-07-045]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Long Island, New York Inland 
Waterway From East Rockaway Inlet to Shinnecock Canal, Jones Beach, 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 
Loop Parkway Bridge, across Long Creek at mile 0.7, at Jones Beach, 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 for all 
marine traffic, Monday through Friday twice an hour at twenty and fifty 
minutes after the hour, from 6:20 a.m. to 7:20 p.m., except that, 
between 9:50 a.m. and 3:20 p.m., the bridge shall open on signal for 
all commercial vessels. On Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays, the 
bridge shall open on signal twice an hour, at twenty minutes and fifty 
minutes after the hour, between 7:20 a.m. and 8:20 p.m., except that, 
the bridge shall open on signal for all commercial vessels. 
Additionally, the bridge need not open during the annual fireworks 
display from 9:30 p.m. to midnight on June 30, 2007 and the rain date 
July 1, 2007, if needed. At all other times the bridge shall open on 
signal for all vessel traffic.

DATES: This deviation is effective from June 25, 2007 through November 
30,

[[Page 32006]]

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 
(CGD01-07-045), 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 Loop Parkway Bridge has a vertical clearance in the closed 
position of 21 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water. 
The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 
117.799(f).
    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. 
Additionally, the Town of Hempstead has requested a temporary deviation 
to accommodate vehicular traffic during their Annual Salute to Veterans 
and Fireworks Display.
    Under this temporary deviation, in effect from June 25, 2007 
through November 30, 2007, the Loop Parkway Bridge at mile 0.7, across 
Long Creek, shall operate as follows:
    The bridge shall open on signal for all marine traffic, Monday 
through Friday twice an hour, at twenty and fifty minutes after the 
hour, from 6:20 a.m. to 7:20 p.m., except that, between 9:50 a.m. and 
3:20 p.m., the bridge shall open on signal for all commercial vessels. 
On Saturday, Sunday, and Federal Holidays, the bridge shall open on 
signal twice an hour, at twenty and fifty minutes after the hour, 
between 7:20 a.m. and 8:20 p.m., except that, the bridge shall open on 
signal for all commercial vessels at all times. The bridge need not 
open for vessel traffic during the annual fireworks display from 9:30 
p.m. to midnight on June 30, 2007 and the rain date July 1, 2007, if 
needed. At all other times the bridge shall open on signal for all 
vessel traffic.
    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. E7-11179 Filed 6-8-07; 8:45 am]
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