Rule2023-16152
Drawbridge Operation Regulation: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway; West Palm Beach, FL
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
July 31, 2023
Effective
August 1, 2023
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is issuing a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Flagler Memorial Bridge, across Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), mile 1021.8, at West Palm Beach, Florida. Palm Beach County and the communities surrounding the bridge have requested the Coast Guard consider placing additional weekday restrictions during peak traffic hours to assist with alleviating vehicle congestion. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed. The Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public regarding this deviation.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 145 (Monday, July 31, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 145 (Monday, July 31, 2023)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49287-49288]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-16152]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2023-0601]
Drawbridge Operation Regulation: Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway;
West Palm Beach, FL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations; request for
comments.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is issuing a temporary deviation from the
operating schedule that governs the Flagler Memorial Bridge, across
Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), mile 1021.8, at West Palm Beach,
Florida. Palm Beach County and the communities surrounding the bridge
have requested the Coast Guard consider placing additional weekday
restrictions during peak traffic hours to assist with alleviating
vehicle congestion. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge
operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the
schedule is needed. The Coast Guard is seeking comments from the public
regarding this deviation.
DATES: This deviation is effective from 12:01 a.m. on August 1, 2023,
through 11:59 p.m. on January 22, 2024.
Comments and related material must reach the Coast Guard on or
before September 29, 2023.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2023-0601 using Federal Decision Making Portal at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on
submitting comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this test
deviation, call or email If you have questions on this test deviation,
call or email Ms. Jennifer Zercher, Bridge Management Specialist,
Seventh Coast Guard District; telephone 305-415-6740, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#3b715e5555525d5e49157515615e4958535e497b4e48585c15565257"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="713b141f1f181714035f3f5f2b14031219140331040212165f1c181d">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis
The Flagler Memorial Bridge, across Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway
(AICW), mile 1021.8, at West Palm Beach, Florida is a double-leaf
bascule bridge with a 24-foot vertical clearance at mean high water in
the closed position. The normal operating schedule is set forth in 33
CFR 117.261(u).
Palm Beach County and communities surrounding the bridge requested
the Coast Guard consider allowing the drawbridge to remain closed to
navigation during morning and evening peak traffic hours. The Coast
Guard has determined that allowing extended daily closures along this
portion of the AICW will not meet the reasonable needs of navigation.
However, to assist Palm Beach County and communities surrounding the
bridge with alleviating vehicle traffic in the area, the Coast Guard is
issuing the following temporary deviation to test an alternate
drawbridge operating schedule.
Under this temporary deviation, the Flagler Memorial Bridge will
open on the quarter and three-quarter hour, except that Monday through
Friday (except Federal holidays) from 7:30 to 9 a.m. and from 4 to 6
p.m., the draw need only open on the quarter hour.
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 vessel operators 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.
II. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We view public participation as essential and will consider all
comments and material received during the comment period. Your comment
can help shape the outcome of this
[[Page 49288]]
temporary deviation. If you submit a comment, please include the docket
number for this temporary deviation, indicate the specific section of
this document to which each comment applies, and provide a reason for
each suggestion or recommendation.
Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments through
the Federal Decision Making Portal at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. To
do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type USCG- 2023-0601 in the
search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for this document in the
Search Results column, and click on it. Then click on the Comment
option. If your material cannot be submitted using <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section of this document for alternate instructions.
View material in the docket. To view documents mentioned in this
deviation as being available in the docket, find the docket as
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting &
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will
also be placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following
instructions on the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> Frequently Asked
Questions web page. Also, if you go to the online docket and sign up
for email alerts, you will be notified when comments, future actions or
updates are posted to the docket.
We review all comments received, but we will only post comments
that address the topic of this deviation. We may choose not to post
off-topic, inappropriate, or duplicate comments that we receive.
We accept anonymous comments. Comments we post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal information you have
provided. For more about privacy and submissions in response to this
document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records notice (85 FR 14226,
March 11, 2020).
Dated: July 26, 2023.
Randall D. Overton,
Director, Bridge Administration, Seventh Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2023-16152 Filed 7-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.