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, at Hempstead, New York. This deviation is necessary to facilitate the 2012 March of Dimes Motorcycle Run. The deviation allows the two bridges listed above 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 15, 2012.

ADDRESSES:

Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket are part of docket USCG-2012-0829 and are available online at www.regulations.gov,, inserting USCG-2012-0829 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 email Ms. Judy Leung-Yee, Project Officer, First Coast Guard District, telephone (212) 668-7165, judy.k.leung-yee@uscg.mil. If you have questions on viewing the docket, call Renee V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket Operations, telephone 202-366-9826.

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 both are transited by commercial fishing and recreational vessel traffic.

The owner of the two bridges, the State of New York Department of Transportation, requested bridge closures to facilitate a public event, the 2012 March of Dimes Motorcycle Run.

Under this temporary deviation the Loop Parkway Bridge and the Meadowbrook Parkway Bridge may remain in the closed position between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on September 15, 2012, to facilitate a public event, the 2012 March of Dimes Motorcycle Run.

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.

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.