Document ID: USCG-2013-1070-0001
Agency: uscg
Document Type: Rule
Title: Drawbridge Operations: Grassy Sound Channel, Middle Township, NJ (Federal Register Publication)
Posted Date: 2014-01-22T05:00Z

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 14 (Wednesday, January 22, 2014)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3495-3496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-01235]

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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2013-1070]

Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Grassy Sound Channel, Middle 
Township, NJ

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 Grassy Sound Channel Bridge (Ocean 
Drive) across Grassy Sound, mile 1.0, at Middle Township, NJ. The 
deviation is necessary to accommodate the ``The Wild Half'' half 
marathon. This temporary deviation allows the bridge draw span to 
remain in the closed to navigation position for 3 \1/2\ hours during 
the event.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7:30 a.m. until 11 a.m. on May 
18, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2013-1070] 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. You may also visit the Docket 
Management Facility in Room W12-140 on the ground floor of the 
Department of Transportation West Building, 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 
temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Jim Rousseau, Bridge 
Administration

[[Page 3496]]

Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard; telephone (757) 398-6557, email 
James.L.Rousseau2@uscg.mil. If you have questions on reviewing the 
docket, call Cheryl Collins, Program Manager, Docket Operations, (202) 
366-9826.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Cape May County Department of Public Works, 
owner of the drawbridge, has requested on behalf of Morey's Piers of 
Wildwood, a temporary deviation from the current operating schedule to 
accommodate the ``The Wild Half'' half marathon.
    The existing drawbridge operation regulations are listed at 33 CFR 
117.721. On the day of the event, the normal operating schedule for the 
Grassy Sound Channel Bridge (Ocean Drive) is open on signal from 6 a.m. 
to 8 p.m. with a two hours advance notice at all other times.
    Under this temporary deviation, the drawbridge will be allowed to 
remain in the closed to navigation position from 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. 
on Saturday, May 18, 2014 to accommodate ``The Wild Half'' half 
marathon. The bridge will operate under its normal operating schedule 
at all other times. Log books indicate there have been no opening 
requests during this yearly event in 4 years and waterway users are 
accustomed to the temporary closure.
    The Grassy Sound Channel Bridge (Ocean Drive) across the Grassy 
Sound has a vertical clearance in the closed position of 15 feet above 
mean high water. Vessels able to pass under the bridge in the closed 
position may do so at anytime and are advised to proceed with caution. 
The bridge will be able to open for emergencies. The New Jersey 
Intracoastal Waterway is an alternate route for vessels transiting this 
area and vessels may pass before and after the closure. The Coast Guard 
will also inform additional waterway users through our Local and 
Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the closure period for the bridge 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 drawbridge 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: January 10, 2014.
Waverly W. Gregory, Jr.,
Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2014-01235 Filed 1-21-14; 8:45 am]
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