2011-6880. Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Cerritos Channel, Long Beach, 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 Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Drawbridge across Cerritos Channel, mile 4.9, at Long Beach, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the California Department of Transportation to perform critical repair and replacement of electrical components for drawspan operation.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on March 26, 2011.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of the docket USCG-2011-0121 and are available online by going to http://www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2011-0121 in the “Keyword” box and then clicking “Search”. They are 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:

The California Department of Transportation requested a temporary change to the operation of the Commodore Schuyler F. Heim Drawbridge, mile 4.9, over Cerritos Channel, at Long Beach, CA. The drawbridge navigation span provides a vertical clearance of 37 feet above Mean High Water in the closed-to-navigation position and 163 feet in the full open to navigation position. As required by 33 CFR 117.147, the draw shall open on signal; except that, from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday except Federal holidays, the draw need not be opened for the passage of vessels. Navigation on the waterway is commercial, recreational, search and rescue, and law enforcement.

The drawspan will be secured in the closed-to-navigation position from 7 a.m. through 7 p.m. on March 26, 2011 to perform critical repair and replacement of electrical components for drawspan operation. The alternative path around Terminal Island will be available for routine and emergency navigation. This temporary deviation has been coordinated with commercial and recreational waterway users. 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 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: March 9, 2011.

D.H. Sulouff,

District Bridge Chief, Eleventh Coast Guard District.