[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 98 (Monday, May 21, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29895-29897]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-12229]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0937]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Black River, La Crosse, WI

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

[[Page 29896]]


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

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Canadian Pacific Railroad 
Drawbridge across the Black River, at Mile 1.0, near La Crosse, 
Wisconsin. This deviation is related to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 
(NPRM) under the same docket number and will test a change to the 
drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change 
to the schedule is needed as proposed by the NPRM. This deviation will 
allow remote operation of the drawspan. Remote operation will enable 
the bridge to open on demand, instead of with a two-hour delay as it is 
currently operated when the on-site bridge tender is present.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on June 15, 2012 to 
11:59 p.m. on July 15, 2012. Comments and related material must be 
received by the Coast Guard by August 15, 2012.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2011-0937 using any one of the following methods:
    (1) Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov.
    (2) Fax: 202-493-2251.
    (3) Mail: Docket Management Facility (M-30), U.S. Department of 
Transportation, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New 
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC, 20590-0001.
    (4) Hand delivery: Same as mail address above, between 9 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The telephone 
number is 202-366-9329.
    To avoid duplication, please use only one of these four methods. 
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of 
the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule, 
call or email Mr. Eric Washburn, Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers, 
(314) 269-2378, email [email protected]. If you have questions on 
viewing or submitting material to the docket, call Renee V. Wright, 
Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to participate in this rulemaking by submitting 
comments and related materials. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided.

1. Submitting Comments

    If you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this 
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which 
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or 
recommendation. You may submit your comments and material online at 
http://www.regulations.gov, or by fax, mail, or hand delivery, but 
please use only one of these means. If you submit a comment online, it 
will be considered received by the Coast Guard when you successfully 
transmit the comment. If you fax, hand deliver, or mail your comment, 
it will be considered as having been received by the Coast Guard when 
it is received at the Docket Management Facility. We recommend that you 
include your name and a mailing address, an email address, or a 
telephone number in the body of your document so that we can contact 
you if we have questions regarding your submission.
    To submit your comment online, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' 
Click on ``Submit a Comment'' on the line associated with this 
rulemaking.
    If you submit your comments by mail or hand delivery, submit them 
in an unbound format, no larger than 8\1/2\ by 11 inches, suitable for 
copying and electronic filing. If you submit comments by mail and would 
like to know that they reached the Facility, please enclose a stamped, 
self-addressed postcard or envelope. We will consider all comments and 
material received during the comment period and may change the rule 
based on your comments.

2. Viewing Comments and Documents

    To view comments, as well as documents mentioned in this preamble 
as being available in the docket, go to http://www.regulations.gov, 
type the docket number in the ``SEARCH'' box and click ``SEARCH.'' 
Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this 
rulemaking. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room 
W12-140 on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West 
Building, 1200 New Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590, between 9 
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

3. Privacy Act

    Anyone can search the electronic form of comments received into any 
of our dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or 
signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, 
business, labor union, etc.). You may review a Privacy Act notice 
regarding our public dockets in the January 17, 2008, issue of the 
Federal Register (73 FR 3316).

4. Public Meeting

    We do not now plan to hold a public meeting. But you may submit a 
request for one using one of the four methods specified under 
ADDRESSES. Please explain why one would be beneficial. If we determine 
that one would aid this rulemaking, we will hold one at a time and 
place announced by a later notice in the Federal Register. For 
information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities 
or to request special assistance at the public meeting, contact Mr. 
Eric Washburn at the telephone number or email address indicated under 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this notice.

Regulatory and History Information

    On November 14, 2011, we published a notice of proposed rulemaking 
(NPRM) entitled Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Black River, La 
Crosse, Wisconsin, in Federal Register (76 FR 70384). We received no 
comment letters on the rule. On November 29, 2011, we held a public 
meeting, at which no objections were presented against the rule. 
Although no comments were received, it has been determined to be in the 
interest of local recreational boating public to enact this test 
deviation and gauge its effects on waterway users during the peak 
navigation season. If no comments are received during this deviation 
period, it is anticipated a permanent rule change will be enacted.

Basis and Purpose

    The Canadian Pacific Railroad Drawbridge crosses the Black River at 
Mile 1.0 near La Crosse, Wisconsin. Its drawspan provides 15 feet of 
vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position and 49 feet of 
vertical clearance in the open-to-navigation position.
    The bridge currently operates under 33 CFR 117.1081; opening on 
demand following a two-hour advance notification. This bridge has 
operated under the current regulation since 2002.
    As explained and proposed in the NPRM, in order to reduce wait time 
for requested drawbridge openings while also reducing operating costs, 
Canadian Pacific requested this drawbridge be

[[Page 29897]]

operated where vessels contact a remote drawbridge operator via VHF-FM 
Channel 16 or telephone (507) 895-6087. Mariners establish radio or 
telephone communications and request an opening. The remote operator 
ensures no trains are in the block and then opens the drawspan. Once 
opened to navigation it remains raised until the remote operator 
verifies safe vessel passage. This verification is conducted by radio 
or telephone confirmation with the passing vessel, video monitoring, 
and boat detection equipment.
    The temporary deviation period will start 12:01 a.m. on June 15, 
2012 through 11:59 p.m. on July 15, 2012. During this time the drawspan 
will be opened on demand by a remote operator.
    This temporary deviation has been coordinated with waterway users. 
No objections were received. There are no alternate routes for vessels 
transiting this section of the Black River.
    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 temporary deviation from the operating regulations is 
authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: May 7, 2012.
Eric A. Washburn,
Bridge Administrator, Western Rivers.
[FR Doc. 2012-12229 Filed 5-18-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P