[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 175 (Tuesday, September 11, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Page 51827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-17801]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. CGD08-07-021]


Proposed Bridge Over the Amite River Diversion Canal, Mile 3.37, 
Near Head of Island, Livingston Parish, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will hold a public hearing to receive comments 
on the proposed bridge across the Amite River Diversion Canal, mile 
3.37, located in Sections 32 and 33, Township 9 South, Range 4 West, 
near Head of Island, Livingston Parish, Louisiana. The hearing will 
focus on the issue concerning the vertical clearance of the proposed 
bridge, which will measure 22.4 feet at Mean High Water, elevation 3.0 
feet National Geodetic Vertical Datum (NGVD). Comments regarding 
impacts that the proposed bridge project may have on navigation of the 
Amite River Diversion Canal and the environment will be of particular 
relevance to the Coast Guard's bridge permitting responsibilities.

DATES: This hearing will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2007, from 7 
p.m. to 9 p.m. The meeting will close early if all business is 
finished. Attendees at the hearing who wish to present testimony and 
have not previously made a request to do so, will follow those having 
submitted a request, as time permits. Written material and requests to 
make oral comment must be received by the Bridge Administrator at the 
address given under ADDRESSES on or before October 10, 2007.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held at the St. Amant Primary School at 
44365 Highway 429, St. Amant, LA. Send written material and requests to 
make oral comment to Mr. David Frank, Bridge Administrator, Commander 
(dpb), Eighth Coast Guard District, Hale Boggs Federal Building, 500 
Poydras Street, New Orleans, LA 70130.
    Commander (dpb) maintains the public docket and comments and 
material received from the public will become part of docket [CGD08-07-
021] and will be available for inspection or copying at the above 
address between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions regarding this 
notice or the proposed project, call Mr. David Frank, Eighth Coast 
Guard District, Bridge Administrator, telephone (504) 671-2128.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action

    The Amite River Diversion Canal bridge will provide access to the 
properties of Blind River Properties, Inc. (BRP) for development of 
additional residential lots. The proposed alternative will use an 
existing access road, Home Port Drive, to reach the selected site of 
the proposed bridge, which is located on BRP property including the 
water bottom of the Amite River Diversion Canal. The proposed bridge 
location and approaches were selected from other alternatives to 
minimize damages to the environment, residences, and commercial 
businesses.
    The proposed bridge has a vertical clearance of 22.4 feet at Mean 
High Water, elevation 3.0 feet NGVD to ensure adequate clearance for 
all but one vessel currently using this portion of the Amite River 
Diversion Canal. All other boats moored between the Highway 22 Bridge 
and the proposed bridge can navigate through the proposed clearance. 
Any addition to the vertical clearance would require significant 
wetland impacts from the bridge approaches based on their design 
criteria. BRP offered a mitigation package to the single vessel owner 
but this package was refused. The largest commercial tow company using 
the Amite River Diversion Canal on a routine basis does not object to 
the proposed bridge. Larger commercial tows have not existed on the 
Amite River Diversion Canal in almost two decades.

Procedural

    All interested parties will have an opportunity to be heard and to 
present evidence regarding the impacts of the proposed bridge project. 
Written statements and other exhibits in lieu of, or in addition to, 
oral statements at the hearing must be submitted to the Bridge 
Administrator at the address listed under ADDRESSES on or before 
October 10, 2007, to be included in the Public Hearing transcript.
    Comments, including names, may be published as part of the Final 
Environmental Assessment. All submissions will be available for public 
inspection in their entirety.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information about facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
the Commander (dpb), Eighth Coast Guard District. Please request these 
services by contacting the Bridge Administrator at the phone number 
under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or in writing at the address 
listed under ADDRESSES. Any requests for an oral or sign language 
interpreter must be received as soon as possible.

    Dated: September 4, 2007.
Hala Elgaaly,
Chief, Office of Bridge Administration, U.S. Coast Guard.
[FR Doc. E7-17801 Filed 9-10-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P