[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 1524-1525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-725]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[CGD7-95-069]
Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,
Florida
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of deviation from regulations and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Coast Guard has issued a
temporary deviation to the regulations governing the J.D. Butler
(Hillsboro Boulevard, State Road 810) drawbridge, mile 1050.0, at
Deerfield Beach, from December 1, 1995 through February 28, 1996. This
deviation authorizes the bridge owner to open the draw on signal,
except that, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Thursday, the draw
need open only on the hour, 20 minutes after the hour, and forty
minutes after the hour; and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday through
Sunday and federal holidays, the draw need open only on the hour and
half-hour. The purpose of this temporary change in opening schedule
from Friday through Sunday and federal holidays is to test the
feasibility of establishing a permanent change to the seasonal opening
restrictions to reduce severe vehicular traffic congestion without
unreasonably impacting navigation.
DATES: This deviation is effective from December 1, 1995 through
February 28, 1996, unless sooner terminated.
Comments on the alternate schedule must be received on or before
February 28, 1996.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to Commander (oan), Seventh Coast
Guard District, Brickell Plaza Federal Building, Room 406, 909 SE. 1st
Avenue, Miami, Florida 33131-3050. The comments and other materials
referenced in this notice will be available for inspection and copying
at the above address. Normal office hours are between 7:30 a.m. and 4
p.m., Monday through Friday, except federal holidays. Comments may also
be hand-delivered to the above address.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Brodie Rich, Bridge Management Specialist, Seventh Coast Guard
District, at 305-536-5117.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to participate in
this evaluation of possible changes to the regulations governing the
J.D. Butler Drawbridge over the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway by
submitting written data, or arguments for or against this deviation.
Persons submitting comments should include their name, address,
identify this rulemaking (CGD7-95-069) and give the reason for each
comment. Persons wanting acknowledgment of receipt of comments should
enclose a stamped-addressed postcard or envelope.
The Coast Guard will consider all comments received during the
comment period and determine whether to
[[Page 1525]]
initiate a rulemaking to propose a permanent change to the drawbridge
operation schedule. Persons may submit comments by writing to the
Commander (oan), Seventh Coast Guard District listed under ADDRESSES.
Background and Purpose
On November 28, 1994, the City Manager of Deerfield Beach requested
a change from the current seasonal operating schedule in Title 33 CFR
117.261(bb) to a year-round hour and half-hour opening schedule. A
Coast Guard analysis of highway traffic and bridge opening data
provided by the Florida Department of Transportation which was
completed on May 8, 1995, indicated the heavy traffic congestion is
limited to weekends during the winter tourist season. This deviation
will allow a test of the proposed hour and half-hour opening schedule
during the heaviest highway and waterway traffic periods. If the test
reduces highway traffic congestion without unreasonably impacting
navigation, the Coast Guard plans to publish a Notice of Proposed Rule
Making which will again request comments on a permanent change to the
regulations.
Public vessels of the United States, tugs with tows, and vessels in
a situation where a delay would endanger life or property shall, upon
proper signal, be passed through the draw at any time.
This deviation from normal operating regulations (33 CFR 117.5) is
authorized in accordance with the provisions of Title 33 of the Code of
Federal Regulations, Sec. 117.43.
Dated: December 20, 1995.
Roger T. Rufe, Jr.,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Seventh Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 96-725 Filed 1-19-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
