[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 42 (Thursday, March 3, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11679-11680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-4735]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0090]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Shark River (South Channel), 
Belmar, NJ

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the 
S71 Bridge across Shark River (South Channel), mile 0.8, at Belmar, NJ. 
The deviation is necessary to help lessen traffic congestion during the 
Saint Patrick's Day Parade. This deviation allows the drawbridge to be 
maintained in the closed position to vessels on March 6, 2011 from 9 
a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on March 
6, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0090 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0090 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search.'' They are

[[Page 11680]]

also available for inspection or copying at the Docket Management 
Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of Transportation, West Building 
Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC 
20590, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal 
holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or e-mail Terrance A Knowles, Environmental Protection Specialist, 
Fifth Coast Guard District; telephone 757-398-6587, e-mail 
[email protected]. If you have questions on viewing the 
docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, 
telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The S71 Bridge, a bascule lift drawbridge, 
across Shark River (South Channel), at mile 0.8, in Belmar, NJ, has a 
vertical clearance in the closed position to vessels of approximately 
13 feet above mean high water.
    On behalf of the Town of Belmar, New Jersey Department of 
Transportation (NJDOT) has requested a temporary deviation from the 
current operating regulations of the bridge set out in 33 CFR 117.751 
to accommodate the Saint Patrick's Day parade scheduled for Sunday, 
March 6, 2011.
    Under this deviation, the drawbridge would be allowed to remain in 
the closed to navigation position on two separate closure periods 
starting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 6 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, 
March 6, 2011, to help lessen traffic congestion related to the Saint 
Patrick's Day parade.
    Bridge opening data, supplied by NJDOT and reviewed by the Coast 
Guard, revealed that the bridge opened for vessels approximately 80 
times in the month of March 2010. The primary user of the waterway that 
operates in the vicinity of the bridge is commercial fishermen. Vessels 
that are able can pass underneath the bridge in the closed position at 
any time. There are no alternate routes for vessels transiting this 
section of Shark River (South Branch) and the drawbridge will be able 
to open in the event of an emergency.
    The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterway through our 
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the closure periods for the 
bridge so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any 
impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    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: February 11, 2011.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Chief, Bridge Administration Branch, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-4735 Filed 3-2-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P