2013-21182. Drawbridge Operation Regulations; Long Island, New York Inland Waterway From East Rockaway Inlet to Shinnecock Canal, NY

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

SUMMARY:

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Loop Parkway Bridge, mile 0.7, across Long Creek, and the Meadowbrook Parkway Bridge, mile 12.8, across Sloop Channel, both at Hempstead, New York. This deviation is necessary to facilitate the 2013 Dee Snider's Ride to Fight Hunger on Long Island. The deviation allows the two bridges to remain in the closed position during this public event.

DATES:

This deviation is effective from 11 a.m. through 1 p.m. on September 8, 2013.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2013-0775 and are available online at www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the “SEARCH” box and click “SEARCH.” Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation. You may also visit the Docket Management Facility in Room W12-140, on the ground floor of the Department of Transportation West Building, 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 email Ms. Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone [phone], [e-mail]. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Barbara Hairston, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Loop Parkway Bridge, mile 0.7, across Long Creek has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 21 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.799(f).

The Meadowbrook Parkway Bridge, mile 12.8, across Sloop Channel has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 22 feet at mean high water and 25 feet at mean low water. The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 117.799(h). Long Creek and Sloop Channel are transited by commercial fishing and recreational vessel traffic.

The bridge owner for both bridges, the State of New York Department of Transportation, requested bridge closures to facilitate a public event, the 2013 Dee Snider's Ride to Fight Hunger.

Under this temporary deviation the Loop Parkway and the Meadowbrook Parkway Bridges may remain in the closed position between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on September 8, 2013, to facilitate a public event, the 2013 Dee Snider's Ride.

There are no alternate routes for vessel traffic; however, vessels that can pass under the closed draws during this closure may do so at any time. The bridges may be opened in the event of an emergency. The Coast Guard will inform the users of the waterways through our Local and/or Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridges so that vessels can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation.

In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the bridge 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 21, 2013.

Gary Kassof,

Bridge Program Manager, First Coast Guard District.