[Federal Register: February 1, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 22)]
[Notices]               
[Page 5032-5033]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr01fe02-114]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[CGD08-01-054]

 
Notice of Public Hearing on Vancouver Railroad Bridge Across the 
Columbia River, Mile 105.6, at Vancouver, WA

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of public hearing.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard will hold a public hearing to receive comments 
concerning the alteration of the Vancouver Railroad Bridge at 
Vancouver, Washington. The hearing will allow interested persons to 
present comments and information concerning the unreasonably 
obstructive nature of the bridge.

DATES: The hearing will be held on March 5, 2002, commencing at 6:30 
p.m. Comments must be received by February 15, 2002. Requests to speak 
must be received in the Office of Bridge Administration at the address 
given under ADDRESSES by February 15, 2002.

ADDRESSES: The hearing will be held in the Commission Room, Port of 
Portland, 121 NW Everett, Portland, Oregon 97209.
    Written comments may be submitted to, and will be available for 
examination between 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays, at the office of the Commander Eighth Coast Guard 
District (obr), Bridge Administration Branch, 1222 Spruce Street, St. 
Louis, MO 63103-2832. Please submit all comments in an unbound format, 
no larger than 8 x 11 inches, suitable for copying and electronic 
filing. Persons wanting acknowledgement of receipt of comments should 
enclose a stamped, self-addressed postcard or envelope.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Roger K. Wiebusch, Bridge 
Administrator, telephone (314) 539-3900 extension 378.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    Complaints have been received alleging that the bridge is 
unreasonably obstructive to navigation. Information available to the 
Coast Guard indicates two bridge allisions have occurred and numerous 
other bridge allisions have been narrowly avoided between 1991 and 
2000. The navigation opening of the bridge is 200 feet. The Vancouver 
Railroad Bridge is located 0.8 mile downstream from the I-5 Highway 
Bridge. The highway bridge influences the approach of vessels to the 
navigation span of the railroad bridge. Based on the

[[Page 5033]]

comments received at the public hearing, the bridge may be found to be 
unreasonably obstructive to navigation. Such a finding may require 
relocating and increasing the horizontal clearance of the railroad 
bridge to meet the needs of navigation.

Procedural

    Any person, who wishes, may appear and be heard at this public 
hearing. Individuals and representatives of organizations that wish to 
present testimony at the hearing may submit a request to this office at 
the address listed under ADDRESSES clearly indicating name and 
organization represented. Requests to speak should be received no later 
than February 15, 2002 in order to ensure proper scheduling for the 
hearing. Depending on the number of scheduled statements, it may be 
necessary to limit the amount of time allocated to each person. Any 
limitation of time allocated will be announced at the beginning of the 
hearing. Written statements and other exhibits may be submitted in lieu 
of, or in addition to, oral statements made at the hearing, and may be 
submitted to this office at the address listed under ADDRESSES until 
February 15, 2002, for inclusion in the public hearing transcript. 
Transcripts of the hearing will be made available for purchase upon 
request.

Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities

    For information about facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District (obr). Please request these 
services by contacting this office at the phone number under FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or in writing at the address listed under 
ADDRESSES. Any requests for an oral or sign language interpreter must 
be received by February 15, 2002.

    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 513; 49 CFR 1.46.

    Dated: January 2, 2002.
J.R. Whitehead,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, 8th Coast Guard Dist., Acting.
[FR Doc. 02-2544 Filed 1-31-02; 8:45 am]
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