Document ID: USCG-2018-0770-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Youngs Bay and Lewis and Clark River, Astoria, OR
Posted Date: 2018-10-01T04:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 190 (Monday, October 1, 2018)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49278-49279]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2018-20985]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2018-0770]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Youngs Bay and Lewis and Clark 
River, Astoria, OR

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

[[Page 49279]]

schedule that governs three bridges at Astoria, OR; they include the US 
101 highway bridge (Youngs Bay Bridge) across Youngs Bay, mile 0.7, the 
Oregon State highway bridge (Old Youngs Bay Bridge) across Youngs Bay, 
mile 2.4, foot of Fifth Street, and the Oregon State highway bridge 
(Lewis and Clark River Bridge) across the Lewis and Clark River, mile 
1.0. The deviation allows the three subject bridges' owner to remove 
the bridge operator during the late evening and early morning hours. 
This deviation allows the bridge to open during weekends and nighttime 
hours after receiving a 2 hour advance notice.

DATES: This deviation is effective without actual notice from October 
1, 2018 to 7 a.m. on March 19, 2019. For the purposes of enforcement, 
actual notice will be used from 7 a.m. on September 22, 2018, until 
October 1, 2018.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, USCG-2018-0770 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: Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) 
owns the Youngs Bay Bridge across Youngs Bay, mile 0.7, Old Youngs Bay 
Bridge across Youngs Bay, mile 2.4, foot of Fifth Street, and the Lewis 
and Clark River Bridge across the Lewis and Clark River, mile 1.0. ODOT 
has requested this temporary deviation from the operating schedule 
while a rule change is being reviewed for approval. The three subject 
bridges are within one mile of each other, and currently open on signal 
for the passage of vessels with one half-hour notice by marine radio, 
telephone, or other suitable means. These three bridges are operated by 
the Lewis and Clark River bridge operator in accordance with 33 CFR 
117.899.
    This deviation will allow ODOT to operate without a bridge operator 
attending the three subject bridges until an opening request has been 
received. This deviation authorizes ODOT's bridge operator to open the 
subject bridges within two hours after receiving a request for an 
opening from 5 p.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday, including all 
Federal holidays, starting at 7 a.m. on September 22, 2018, through 7 
a.m. on March 19, 2019. The Youngs Bay Bridge provides a vertical 
clearance approximately 37 feet above mean high water when in the 
closed-to-navigation position. The Old Youngs Bay Bridge provides a 
vertical clearance approximately 19 feet above mean high water when in 
the closed-to-navigation position. The Lewis and Clark River Bridge 
provides a vertical clearance of 17 feet above mean high water when in 
the closed-to-navigation position. Vessels operating on Youngs Bay and 
the Lewis and Clark River range from small recreational vessels, 
sailboats, tribal fishing boats and small commercial fishing vessels.
    Vessels able to pass through the subject bridges in the closed-to-
navigation position may do so at any time. The bridges will not be able 
to open for emergencies from 5 p.m. on Friday to 7 a.m. on Monday 
unless a two hour notice is given, and there is no immediate alternate 
route for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard will 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 drawbridges must return to 
their 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: September 21, 2018.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2018-20985 Filed 9-28-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P