Document ID: USCG-2018-0147-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Nanticoke River, Seaford, DE
Posted Date: 2018-03-05T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 43 (Monday, March 5, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 9204-9205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-04342]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0147]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Nanticoke River, Seaford, DE

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the SR 13 (Market Street) Bridge across 
Nanticoke River, mile 39.6, in Seaford, DE. The deviation is necessary 
to facilitate placement of an emergency temporary public water line on 
the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-
to-navigation position.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from March 5, 
2018 through noon on March 23, 2018. For purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from noon on February 9, 2018, until March 
5, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2018-0147] 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. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge 
Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757-398-
6222, email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:  The Delaware Department of Transportation, 
who owns and operates the SR 13 (Market Street) Bridge across Nanticoke 
River, mile 39.6, in Seaford, DE, has requested a temporary deviation 
from the current operating regulation. This deviation is necessary to 
facilitate placement of an emergency temporary public water line on the 
bridge due to contamination of the town of Blades, DE water system. The 
bridge is a bascule bridge and has a vertical clearance in the closed-
to-navigation position of 3 feet above mean high water.
    The current operating schedule is set out in 33 CFR 117.243(b). 
Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the closed-
to-navigation position from noon on February 9, 2018, through noon on 
March 23, 2018. The Nanticoke River in the location of the bridge is 
predominantly used by small recreational vessels. The bridge has an

[[Page 9205]]

average of one or two bridge openings per month during the time period 
of this temporary deviation. The Coast Guard has carefully considered 
the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway, in relation to 
the emergency management purpose for maintaining the bridge in the 
closed-to-navigation position, in publishing this temporary deviation.
    Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed-to-navigation 
position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to open for 
an emergency and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to 
pass. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway 
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.

    Dated: February 22, 2018.
Hal R. Pitts,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-04342 Filed 3-2-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P