[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29736-29737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13745]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2017-0470]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Swinomish Channel, Whitmarsh, WA
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the Northern Santa Fe Railroad Company
(BNSF) Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge 12A across Swinomish Channel,
mile 8.4,
[[Page 29737]]
near Whitmarsh, WA. This deviation is necessary to accommodate
replacement of the bridge protective fendering system. The deviation
allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position at
various times based on low tide predictions; and also allows the swing
span to not completely open at various times detained herein.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on July 1, 2017 to 6
p.m. on November 30, 2017.
ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0470] is available
at http://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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Steven Fischer, Bridge
Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District; telephone 206-220-7282,
email [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BNSF (bridge owner) has requested the BNSF
Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge 12 be allowed to close the span, and
need not open to marine traffic to facilitate fender replacements. The
BNSF Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge 12A crosses the Swinomish channel,
mile 8.4, near Whitmarsh, WA. The swing span provides 8 feet of
vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position, and 100 feet
of horizontal clearance in the open-to-navigation position. The span
provides unlimited vertical clearance in the open-to-navigation
position. Vertical and horizontal clearances are referenced to mean
high-water elevation.
The closures of the BNSF Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge for the
fender replacements will depend on the tidal status of the river, which
means that work (and closure), will occur on different times on
different days. The specific times of the bridge closures will be
published in the weekly Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners. BNSF work
requires the swing span to be in the closed-to-navigation position when
the ebb tide height reaches plus three feet above Mean Tide Level, and
open the span when the flood tide height reaches plus three feet above
Mean Tide Level. The deviation period allows the subject bridge to be
in the closed-to-navigation position from 6 a.m. on July 1, 2017 to 6
p.m. on November 30, 2017, when the river is a plus three foot ebb
tide, and open the bridge span on a plus three foot flood tide Monday
through Saturday. However, if the project gets delayed, work on Sundays
will be required.
The swing span at various times will only be able to open to 97
percent. This reduces the horizontal navigation clearance by five
feet--from 100 feet to 95 feet. The five feet of horizontal clearance
is needed to position work barges at various locations to replace
fenders.
During the dates and times of the deviation, the drawbridge will
not be able to operate according to the normal operating schedule. This
drawbridge normally operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5. The
subject bridge is normally maintained in the open-to-navigation
position. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.5 at all
other times. Waterway usage on the Swinomish Channel includes
commercial tugs and barges, U.S. Coast Guard vessels, and large to
small pleasure craft. The Coast Guard provided notice of this deviation
to local mariners via the Local Notice Mariners and emails. One
objection was submitted to the Coast Guard, and requested bridge
closure times be posted in the Local Notice to Mariners. As stated
herein, specific times will be published in the weekly Local Notice to
Mariners.
Vessels will not be able to pass through the swing span via the
marked navigation channel during the closure times. Working barges will
be positioned in the channel at the bridge during the closed-to-
navigation periods preventing safe passage. An alternate route is via
the southern Swinomish Channel using Skagit Bay. The bridge will not be
able to open for vessels responding to emergencies during the stated
closure times. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the
waterways through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the
change in operating schedule for the bridge 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 drawbridge must return to
its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective
period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating
regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35.
Dated: June 23, 2017.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-13745 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P