Document ID: USCG-2011-0566-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Notice
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulations: Cape Fear River, and Northeast Cape Fear River, in Wilmington, NC (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2011-07-06T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 129 (Wednesday, July 6, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 39298-39299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-16915]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2011-0566]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Cape Fear River, and Northeast 
Cape Fear River, in Wilmington, NC

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of temporary deviation from regulations.

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SUMMARY: The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has issued a 
temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the 
Cape Fear River Memorial Bridge across the Cape Fear River, mile 26.8, 
and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge across Northeast Cape Fear River, at 
mile 1.0, both in Wilmington, NC. The deviation restricts the operation 
of the draw spans to accommodate the 29th Annual Wilmington Family YMCA 
Tri-Span race.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on July 9, 
2011.

ADDRESSES: Documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in 
the docket are part of the docket USCG-2011-0566 and are available 
online by going to http://www.regulations.gov, inserting USCG-2011-0566 
in the ``Keywords'' 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 Mr. Waverly W. Gregory, Jr., Bridge Program Manager, 
Fifth Coast Guard District; telephone 757-398-

[[Page 39299]]

6222, e-mail Waverly.W.Gregory@uscg.mil. If you have questions on 
viewing the docket, call Renne V. Wright, Program Manager, Docket 
Operations, (202) 366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Wilmington Family YMCA, on behalf of the 
North Carolina Department of Transportation, who owns and operates the 
Cape Fear River Memorial Bridge across the Cape Fear River, mile 26.8, 
and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge across Northeast Cape Fear River, at 
mile 1.0, both in Wilmington, NC, requested a temporary deviation from 
the current operating schedules to accommodate the 29th Annual 
Wilmington Family YMCA Tri-Span race scheduled for July 9, 2011.
    The Cape Fear Memorial Bridge is a vertical-lift drawbridge with a 
vertical clearance of 65 feet above mean high water in the closed 
position to vessels and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge is a double-leaf 
bascule drawbridge with a vertical clearance of 40 feet above mean high 
water in the closed position to vessels.
    Under the regular operating schedules during the requested period 
for the Cape Fear Memorial Bridge and the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge, the 
draws need not open for the passage of vessels from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. 
on the second Saturday of July of every year set out at 33 CFR 117.823 
and at 33 CFR 117.829(a)(4), respectively.
    Due to the extreme high temperatures expected for Saturday July 9, 
2011 (the second Saturday of July 2011), the Wellness Director for the 
Wilmington Family YMCA requested to change the closure times to vessels 
for the aforementioned drawbridges from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. to 7 a.m. to 
9 a.m.
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridges will be closed to 
vessels from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Saturday July 9, 2011.
    Typical vessel traffic on the Cape Fear River and Northeast Cape 
Fear River includes a variety of vessels from freighters, tug and barge 
traffic, and recreational vessels. Vessels that can pass under the 
bridges without a bridge opening may continue to do so at anytime.
    The Coast Guard has carefully coordinated the restrictions with 
commercial and recreational waterway users. The Coast Guard will use 
Local and Broadcast Notice to Mariners to inform all users of the 
waterways of the closure periods for the bridges so that vessels can 
arrange their transits to minimize any impacts caused by the temporary 
deviation.
    In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the draw 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: June 23, 2011.

    By direction of the Commander.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2011-16915 Filed 7-5-11; 8:45 am]
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