[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 83 (Monday, May 3, 2021)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 23278-23279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-09202]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0181]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Old River, Between Victoria 
Island and Byron Tract, CA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notification 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 California Department of 
Transportation Route 4 highway bridge, across Old River, mile 14.8, 
between Victoria Island and Byron Tract, California. The amount of 
vessel traffic transiting the bridge site does not warrant an open on 
signal requirement for this drawbridge. 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 6 a.m. on May 10, 2021, through 
6 a.m. on August 7, 2021. Your comments and related material must reach 
the Coast Guard on or before August 7, 2021.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2021-0181 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 Mr. Carl Hausner, Eleventh Coast Guard 
District, Bridge Section Chief; telephone (510) 437-3516, email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background and Purpose

    The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) Route 4 
highway bridge has a vertical clearance of 12.7 feet above mean high 
water in the closed-to-navigation position, and operates in accordance 
with 33 CFR 117.183.
    Caltrans has requested a permanent change in the operation schedule 
of the bridge due to the increase in vehicular traffic and a decrease 
in vessel traffic. Population growth and the cost of housing has 
increased land traffic traveling from the central valley to the San 
Francisco Bay Area for work. From 2011 to 2020 the bridge has opened 
5.4 times per month from April through September and 2.9 times per 
month from October through March. Throughout the year, vessels 
requesting an opening are: recreational vessels, 21.5%; commercial 
vessels, 14.6%; government vessels conducting research, 60.5%; and law 
enforcement, 3.3%.
    This test deviation will evaluate the impacts to navigation on the 
waterway. From 6 a.m. on May 10, 2021 through 6 a.m. on August 7, 2021, 
the drawspan of the bridge will open on signal if at least four hours 
notification is given to the drawtender at the Rio Vista Bridge across 
the Sacramento River, mile 12.8. Primary number, 707-374-2134; 
Secondary number, 209-948-7556. Caltrans will document vessel transits 
during this deviation and log any

[[Page 23279]]

comments the drawtender receives by the waterway users. Caltrans will 
also document any benefits to land traffic during this period.
    By requiring vessel operators to plan in advance for an opening of 
the drawspan, it is anticipated the expected impacts to navigation 
during this test deviation will be minimal. Vessels that can transit 
the bridge, while closed, can continue to do so at any time. The Coast 
Guard will notify the boating public and all other interested parties 
by formal letter sent to all marinas within 25 miles of the bridge. 
There is no alternative route for vessels requiring an opening of the 
drawspan.
    The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway 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.

III. Information Requested

    We are seeking comments from waterway users to understand the 
impacts of the contemplated change to the operating schedule of 
Caltrans Route 4 highway bridge, across Old River, mile 14.8, between 
Victoria Island and Byron Tract, California.

IV. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal portal at 
https://www.regulations.gov. In your submission, please include the 
docket number for this notice of inquiry and provide a reason for each 
suggestion or recommendation. 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. Comments we post to https://www.regulations.gov 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 temporary deviation 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. We review all comments received, but we may 
choose not to post off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that 
we receive. If you visit the online docket and sign up for email 
alerts, you will be notified when comments are posted or if a final 
rule is published.
    This document is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552 (a).

    Dated: April 23, 2021.
Carl T. Hausner,
District Bridge Chief, Eleventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2021-09202 Filed 4-30-21; 8:45 am]
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