
[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 125 (Friday, June 30, 2017)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 29736-29737]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13745]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

33 CFR Part 117

[Docket No. USCG-2017-0470]


Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Swinomish Channel, Whitmarsh, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the 
operating schedule that governs the Northern Santa Fe Railroad Company 
(BNSF) Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge 12A across Swinomish Channel, 
mile 8.4,

[[Page 29737]]

near Whitmarsh, WA. This deviation is necessary to accommodate 
replacement of the bridge protective fendering system. The deviation 
allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position at 
various times based on low tide predictions; and also allows the swing 
span to not completely open at various times detained herein.

DATES: This deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on July 1, 2017 to 6 
p.m. on November 30, 2017.

ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG-2017-0470] 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 d13-pf-d13bridges@uscg.mil.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: BNSF (bridge owner) has requested the BNSF 
Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge 12 be allowed to close the span, and 
need not open to marine traffic to facilitate fender replacements. The 
BNSF Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge 12A crosses the Swinomish channel, 
mile 8.4, near Whitmarsh, WA. The swing span provides 8 feet of 
vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position, and 100 feet 
of horizontal clearance in the open-to-navigation position. The span 
provides unlimited vertical clearance in the open-to-navigation 
position. Vertical and horizontal clearances are referenced to mean 
high-water elevation.
    The closures of the BNSF Railroad Swing Span Drawbridge for the 
fender replacements will depend on the tidal status of the river, which 
means that work (and closure), will occur on different times on 
different days. The specific times of the bridge closures will be 
published in the weekly Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners. BNSF work 
requires the swing span to be in the closed-to-navigation position when 
the ebb tide height reaches plus three feet above Mean Tide Level, and 
open the span when the flood tide height reaches plus three feet above 
Mean Tide Level. The deviation period allows the subject bridge to be 
in the closed-to-navigation position from 6 a.m. on July 1, 2017 to 6 
p.m. on November 30, 2017, when the river is a plus three foot ebb 
tide, and open the bridge span on a plus three foot flood tide Monday 
through Saturday. However, if the project gets delayed, work on Sundays 
will be required.
    The swing span at various times will only be able to open to 97 
percent. This reduces the horizontal navigation clearance by five 
feet--from 100 feet to 95 feet. The five feet of horizontal clearance 
is needed to position work barges at various locations to replace 
fenders.
    During the dates and times of the deviation, the drawbridge will 
not be able to operate according to the normal operating schedule. This 
drawbridge normally operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5. The 
subject bridge is normally maintained in the open-to-navigation 
position. The bridge shall operate in accordance to 33 CFR 117.5 at all 
other times. Waterway usage on the Swinomish Channel includes 
commercial tugs and barges, U.S. Coast Guard vessels, and large to 
small pleasure craft. The Coast Guard provided notice of this deviation 
to local mariners via the Local Notice Mariners and emails. One 
objection was submitted to the Coast Guard, and requested bridge 
closure times be posted in the Local Notice to Mariners. As stated 
herein, specific times will be published in the weekly Local Notice to 
Mariners.
    Vessels will not be able to pass through the swing span via the 
marked navigation channel during the closure times. Working barges will 
be positioned in the channel at the bridge during the closed-to-
navigation periods preventing safe passage. An alternate route is via 
the southern Swinomish Channel using Skagit Bay. The bridge will not be 
able to open for vessels responding to emergencies during the stated 
closure times. 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 vessels 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: June 23, 2017.
Steven M. Fischer,
Bridge Administrator, Thirteenth Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 2017-13745 Filed 6-29-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P


