[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 207 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66184]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27722]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0972]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Nanticoke, Seaford, DE

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 regulation governing the operation of the 
SR 13 Bridge across the Nanticoke River, mile 39.6, at Seaford, DE. The 
deviation is necessary to accommodate the cleaning and painting of the 
bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed 
position throughout the month of November to facilitate the maintenance 
work.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on November 1, 2011 
to 11:59 on November 30, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2011-0972 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0972 in the 
``Keyword'' box and then clicking ``Search''. They are 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 Lindsey Middleton, Bridge Management Specialist, Coast 
Guard; telephone 757-398-6629, 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: Marinis Bros. Inc., on behalf of Delaware 
Department of Transportation (DelDOT), has requested a temporary 
deviation from the current operating regulation of the SR 13 Bridge 
across the Nanticoke River, mile 39.6, at Seaford, DE. The requested 
deviation is to accommodate painting and cleaning of the bridge. The 
vertical clearance of this single-leaf bascule bridge is three feet at 
mean high water (MHW) in the closed position and unlimited in the open 
position. During this deviation period, the vertical clearance will be 
limited to one foot at MHW due to the scaffolding that will be used for 
the maintenance of the bridge. The bridge will remain in the closed 
position for the entire month. In critical situations the bridge will 
be able to open if at least 24 hours of notice is given. There are no 
alternate routes available to vessels.
    The current operating schedule for the bridge is set out in 33 CFR 
117.243(b). According to that schedule, during the month of November 
the bridge shall open on signal, except that from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. 
Monday through Friday and 3:30 p.m. through 7:30 a.m. Saturday and 
Sunday, if at least four hours notice is given.
    Logs from November 2010 have shown that there were 20 openings for 
the entire month. Sixteen of those openings were on November 13th and 
14th. The openings were due to a Bass Fishing Tournament; however, the 
tournament is not scheduled for this year minimizing the amount of 
anticipated openings. The majority of vessel traffic utilizing this 
waterway is recreational boaters. There is one mariner that requests 
most of the bridge openings throughout the winter months. Marinis 
Bros., Inc. has coordinated with this mariner. DelDOT has coordinated 
with the town concerning the month long bridge closure as well. The 
Coast Guard will inform all other users of the waterway through our 
Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners so that mariners can arrange 
their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary 
deviation. The Coast Guard will also require the bridge owner to post 
signs on either side of the bridge notifying mariners of the temporary 
regulation change.
    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: October 12, 2011.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-27722 Filed 10-25-11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P