[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 244 (Friday, December 18, 2020)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 82355-82356]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-27443]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2020-0694]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, 
Madeira Beach FL

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

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 Welch Causeway (SR 699) Bridge, 
mile 122.8 at Madeira Beach, Florida. A request was made to place the 
drawbridge on a daily operating schedule to alleviate vehicle 
congestion due to on demand bridge openings. This deviation will test a 
change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a 
permanent change to the schedule is needed. The Coast Guard is seeking 
comments from the public regarding these proposed changes.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on January 1, 2021 
through 11:59 p.m. on June 25, 2021.
    Comments and relate material must reach the Coast Guard on or 
before February 25, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket umber USCG-
2020-0694 using Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov.
    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 test 
deviation, call or email LT Clark W. Sanford, U.S. Coast Guard, Sector 
Saint Petersburg Waterways Management Division; telephone 727-824-7506, 
email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis

    The Welch Causeway (SR699) Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal 
Waterway, mile 122.8, at Madeira Beach, Florida is a double-leaf 
bascule bridge with a 25 foot vertical clearance at mean high water in 
the closed position and an 89 foot horizontal clearance between 
fenders. The normal operating schedule for the bridge is found in 33 
CFR 117.287(h). Navigation on the waterway is commercial and 
recreational.
    The City of Madeira Beach Florida has requested the current 
operating

[[Page 82356]]

schedule be modified due to the increased economic growth, vehicle 
traffic in the area as well as a school located in close proximity to 
the bridge. The City of Madeira Beach requested the bridge operation 
logs from the bridge owner, Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) 
to validate the need for a regulation change. The Coast Guard has 
reviewed these logs as well and determined a test deviation is needed 
before proceeding with a rule change for the operation of this bridge.
    Under this test deviation, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the draw shall 
open on the hour and half-hour; except Federal Holidays and at all 
other times, the draw shall operate on demand.
    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 vessel operators can arrange their 
transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.
    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 vessel operators 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.

II. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking, 
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment 
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. 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.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at https://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using https://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to https://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and 
submissions in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System 
of Records notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
    Documents mentioned in this notification as being available in this 
docket and all public comments, will be in our online docket at https://www.regulations.gov and can be viewed by following that website's 
instructions. Additionally, if you go to the online docket and sign up 
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or a 
final rule is published.

    Dated: December 2, 2020.
Randall D. Overton,
Director, Bridge Administration, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2020-27443 Filed 12-17-20; 8:45 am]
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