[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 193 (Friday, October 5, 2007)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 56898]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 07-4860]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. CGD08-07-022]


Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Milhomme Bayou, Stephensville, 
LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Stephensville Bridge across Milhomme Bayou, mile 12.2, at 
Stephensville, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. This deviation will test a 
change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a 
permanent change to the schedule is needed. The deviation will allow 
the draw of the Stephensville Bridge to open on signal if at least one 
hour of advance notice is given. During the advance notice period, the 
draw shall open on less than one hour notice for an emergency and shall 
open on demand should a temporary surge in waterway traffic occur.

DATES: This deviation is effective from October 5, 2007 until April 2, 
2008.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments and related material to Commander 
(dpb), Eighth Coast Guard District, 500 Poydras Street, New Orleans, 
Louisiana 70130-3310. The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, 
Bridge Administration Branch maintains the public docket for this 
rulemaking. Comments and material 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 Bridge Administration office between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m., 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Bart Marcules, Bridge Administration 
Branch, telephone (504) 671-2128.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in evaluating this test schedule by 
submitting comments and related material. If you do so, please include 
your name and address, identify the docket number for this deviation 
[CGD08-07-022], 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 by 11 inches, suitable for copying. If you would like to 
know 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 4, 2007.

Background and Purpose

    St. Martin Parish has requested that the operating regulation on 
the Stephensville Bridge be changed in order to operate the bridge more 
efficiently. The Stephensville Bridge is located on Milhomme Bayou at 
mile 12.2 in Stephensville, St. Martin Parish, Louisiana. The Bridge 
has a vertical clearance of 5.8 feet above mean high water, an 
elevation of 3.5 feet Mean Sea Level (MSL) in the closed position and 
unlimited in the open position. The Stephensville Bridge opens on 
signal as required by 33 CFR 117.5. This operating schedule has been in 
effect since 2002 when this bridge replaced an existing bridge in the 
area.
    The previous bridge's operating schedule was, ``shall open on 
signal; except that, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. the draw shall open on 
signal if at least two hours notice is given. During the advance notice 
period, the draw shall open on less than two hours notice for an 
emergency and shall open on demand should a temporary surge in waterway 
traffic occur.''
    Since the completion of the current bridge, the waterway traffic 
has been minimal and during the past twelve months an average of 5 
boats per day have requested an opening. Most of the boats requesting 
openings are commercial vessels consisting of tugboats with barges and 
shrimp trawlers that routinely transit this waterway and are able to 
give advance notice.
    Due to this waterway being a secondary route, the Port Allen 
Alternate route is the primary route, little impact is expected on 
navigation during this test schedule period. Also, prior coordination 
with the main waterway user group in the area indicates no expected 
impacts.
    A Notice of Proposed Rule Making [CGD08-07-023], is being issued in 
conjunction with this Temporary Deviation to obtain public comments. 
The Coast Guard will evaluate public comments from this Temporary 
Deviation and the above referenced Notice of Proposed Rule Making to 
determine if a permanent special drawbridge operating regulation is 
warranted.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge 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: September 21, 2007.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 07-4860 Filed 10-4-07; 8:45 am]
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