[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 136 (Monday, July 16, 2012)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 41685]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-17222]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2012-0627]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Willamette River, Portland, OR

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Hawthorne Bridge across the 
Willamette River, mile 13.1, at Portland, OR. This deviation is 
necessary to accommodate Portland's Big Float event. This deviation 
allows the bridge to remain in the closed position to allow safe 
movement of event participants.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:30 p.m. on July 29, 2012 
through 1:30 p.m. July 29, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0627 and are available online 
by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2012-0627 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 email the Bridge Administrator, Coast Guard Thirteenth 
District; telephone 206-220-7282 email [email protected]. If 
you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program 
Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Multnomah County has requested that the 
Hawthorne lift bridge remain closed to vessel traffic to facilitate 
safe, uninterrupted roadway passage of participants of the Big Float 
event. The Hawthorne Bridge crosses the Willamette River at mile 13.1 
and provides 49 feet of vertical clearance above Columbia River Datum 
0.0 while in the closed position. Vessels which do not require a bridge 
opening may continue to transit beneath the bridge during this closure 
period. Under normal conditions this bridge operates in accordance with 
33 CFR 117.897 which allows for the bridge to remain closed between 7 
a.m. and 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. This 
deviation period is from 12:30 p.m. on July 29, 2012 through 1:30 p.m. 
July 29, 2012. The deviation allows the Hawthorne Bridge across the 
Willamette River, mile 13.1, to remain in the closed position and need 
not open for maritime traffic from 12:30 p.m. through 1:30 p.m. July 
29, 2012. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.897 at 
all other times. Waterway usage on this stretch of the Willamette River 
includes vessels ranging from commercial tug and barge to small 
pleasure craft. Mariners will be notified and kept informed of the 
bridge's operational status via the Coast Guard Notice to Mariners 
publication and Broadcast Notice to Mariners as appropriate. The draw 
span will be required to open, if needed, for vessels engaged in 
emergency response operations during this closure period.
    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: June 28, 2012.
Randall D. Overton,
Bridge Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2012-17222 Filed 7-13-12; 8:45 am]
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