[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 250 (Wednesday, December 30, 2015)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81465-81466]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32871]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2015-0974]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Des Allemands Bayou, Des 
Allemands, LA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Delay of effective date without notice for temporary deviation 
from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is modifying the effective dates of a 
published temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs 
the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad swing span drawbridge across 
Des Allemands Bayou, mile 14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and 
Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana. This modification of the dates is 
necessary due to weather delaying the scheduled rehabilitations. This 
deviation allows the bridge to remain in its closed-to-navigation 
position for three eight-hour periods during three consecutive days on 
two separate occasions.

DATES: The deviation published December 11, 2015 (80 FR 76860) is 
effective from 7 a.m. on January 20, 2016 through 3 p.m. on January 29, 
2016.

ADDRESSES: The docket mentioned in the preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of the docket USCG-2015-0974 and are available at 
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 deviation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this 
temporary deviation, call or email Donna Gagliano, Bridge Specialist, 
Coast Guard; telephone 504-671-2128, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 11, 2015, the Coast Guard 
published a notice of temporary deviation from regulations entitled, 
``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Des Allemands Bayou, Des Allemands, 
LA'' in the Federal Register (80 FR 76860). The Burlington Northern 
Santa Fe Railroad requested this temporary deviation from the operating 
schedule of the swing span drawbridge across Des Allemands Bayou, mile 
14.0, at Des Allemands, St. Charles and Lafourche Parishes, Louisiana, 
for January 13 through 22, 2016, to perform the rehabilitation. Due to 
the weather issues, preparations for the rehabilitation were delayed so 
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad requested a modification to the 
effective dates from January 20 through 29, 2016.
    The bridge has a vertical clearance of three feet above mean high 
water in the closed-to-navigation position and unlimited in the open-
to-navigation position.
    The draw currently operates under 33 CFR 117.440(b). For purposes 
of this deviation, the bridge will not be required to open from 7 a.m. 
to 3 p.m. daily for two three-day periods, January 20 through 22 and 
January 27 through 29, 2016. At all other times, the bridge will 
operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.440(b).
    The Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad requested a modification 
to the effective dates of the temporary deviation for the operation of 
the drawbridge to delay the previously approved deviation to 
accommodate rehabilitation work involving rest pivot

[[Page 81466]]

piers and the future swing span change out, an extensive but necessary 
maintenance operation. The reason for the request is that poor weather 
has delayed the preparatory work necessary to accomplish the 
modification to the rest piers. Navigation on the waterway consists of 
tugs with tows, fishing vessels and recreational crafts.
    The Coast Guard has coordinated the closure with waterway users, 
industry, and other Coast Guard units and determined that this closure 
will not have a significant effect on vessel traffic.
    During this deviation for bridge rehabilitation, vessels will not 
be allowed to pass through the bridge during the eight-hour closures 
each day as stated above. Many of the vessels that currently require an 
opening of the draw will be able to pass using the opposite channel 
from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. when the deviations are not in effect. The bridge 
will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate 
alternate route for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard will also inform 
the users of the waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to 
Mariners of the change in operating schedule 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 effective 
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating 
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.

    Dated: December 24, 2015.
David M. Frank,
Bridge Administrator, Eighth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2015-32871 Filed 12-29-15; 8:45 am]
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