E9-21979. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Three Mile Slough, Rio Vista, CA

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the California Route 160 Drawbridge across Three Mile Slough, mile 0.1, near Rio Vista, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow Caltrans to conduct drawbridge maintenance. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position during the maintenance period.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on September 14, 2009 through 4:30 p.m. on September 14, 2009.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2009-0684 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2009-0684 in the “Keyword” box and then clicking “Search.” This material is 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 e-mail David H. Sulouff, Chief, Bridge Section, Eleventh Coast Guard District; telephone [phone], e-mail [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Caltrans requested a temporary change to the operation of the California Route 160 Drawbridge, mile 0.1, Three Mile Slough, near Rio Vista, CA. The drawbridge navigation span provides a vertical clearance of 12 feet above Mean High Water in the closed-to-navigation position. The draw opens on signal as required by 33 CFR 117.5. Navigation on the waterway is commercial and recreational.

The drawspan will be secured in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from August 31, 2009 through September 14, 2009, to allow Caltrans to replace the industrial staircase leading to the control house. At all other times during this period, and on September 7, 2009, Labor Day, the drawspan will open on signal as required by 33 CFR 117.5. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with commercial and recreational waterway users. There is no anticipated levee maintenance during this deviation period. No objections to the proposed temporary deviation were raised.

Vessels that can transit the bridge, while in the closed-to-navigation position, may continue to do so at any time.

In the event of an emergency the drawspan can be opened with 4 hours advance notice.

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: August 28, 2009.

J.R. Castillo,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Commander, Eleventh Coast Guard District.