Notice to Navigators: Pacific Rivers
NOTICE TO MARINERS
PACIFIC RIVERS BASIN
LNM 12-22
SECTION I - SPECIAL NOTICES
This section contains information of special concern to the Marine
OREGON – APPROACHES TO YAQUINA AND DEPOE BAY – Bridge construction notice (Revised from LNM 06/21)
ODOT is conducting cathodic protection upgrades and bridge concrete repairs to the Yaquina Bay Highway 101 Bridge (LLNR 9627) in Newport, OR, at Yaquina Bay mile 0.7. A low-level access walkway system has been constructed across the 4 concrete arch spans from the south bank heading north. While erected, the vertical navigation clearance will be reduced to a minimum of 16 feet at MHHW. The low level walkway system spans from the south bank to the North approx. 880 feet. This system will be functional until approximately the summer of 2024. The main navigational channel will not be impeded by the project as that section is made of steel. Mariners are requested not to loiter under the construction area due to fall hazards. For more information, contact Dan Lutze, the project superintendent, at (503) 519-5408.
The project is taking actions to prevent conflicts with birds. ODOT has contracted with the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to perform bird-hazing activities with an aim to prevent nesting in certain sections of the bridge until scaffolding and containment can be installed. Hazing activities may include noise cannons, laser lights, and pyrotechnics. The activities may happen at any time of day, however, the noise cannons will primarily be used for the few hours surrounding sunset each evening. These efforts will have no effect on marine navigation. Hazing activities are expected to begin at the end of March and continue well into June. For more information on the APHIS activities, contact Steven Schultz at (541) 757-4158 or Steven.Schultz@ODOT.Oregon.gov.
COLUMBIA RIVER – VANCOUVER TO BONNEVILLE – Bridge Public Notice
The Commander, Thirteenth Coast Guard District, has received a request for a Preliminary Navigation Clearance Determination (PNCD) from the Interstate Bridge Replacement Program (IBR), the project to replace the Interstate 5 Highway Bridge (LLNR 11258) which crosses the Columbia River at mile 106.5 between Portland and Vancouver.
A PNCD is the first step in the US Coast Guard bridge permitting process. At the request of the Coast Guard, the IBR team has prepared a navigation impact report (NIR) for the proposed new IBR bridge. Based off an analysis of the NIR and Public Comments the Coast Guard will prepare a PNCD. Public Notice 02-22 has been published and is soliciting for comments exclusively related to navigation. Maritime transportation system stakeholders (vessels and facilities) are highly encouraged to carefully review this notice and provide comments with regard to the proposed bridge’s ability to meet the needs of navigation to include mariner requirements for horizontal navigation clearances and vertical navigation clearances to include air draft and air gap requirements. The Coast Guard is particularly interested in receiving comments from maritime stakeholders with current and or future vertical navigation clearance requirements of greater than 116 feet (air draft and air gap). Public Notice 02-22 is available at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/D13BN Comments will be received for the record at the office of: Commander (dpw), Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 915 2nd Ave, Rm 3510, Seattle, WA or via email at D13-SMB-D13-BRIDGES@uscg.mil. Comments should be sent to arrive on or before 25 Apr 2022.
OREGON – PORT OF PORTLAND – WILLAMETTE RIVER – Bridge Notice
The Coast Guard has approved a temporary deviation from the normal operating schedule that governs the Steel Railroad-Highway Bridge (LLNR 14955.3) across the Willamette River, RM 12.1. The Steel Bridge need not open the upper lift to marine traffic from 0830 – 1130 on 10 Apr 2022. This deviation supports the Bridge to Brews event. The lower lift span of the Steel Bridge operates in accordance with 33 CFR 117.5 (open on single). When the lower lift is in the closed-to-navigation position, the bridge provides 26 feet of vertical clearance above Columbia River Datum 0.0; and in the open-to-navigation position with the upper lift in the closed-to-navigation position, the vertical clearance is 71 feet above Columbia River Datum 0.0. The Steel Bridge will be able to open the lower deck, and the upper deck if required, for emergencies. This part of the Willamette River does not have an immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. Vessels able to pass through the Steel Bridge with the lower deck in the closed or open-to-navigation position, or the upper deck in the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. The normal operating schedule for the Steel Bridge upper lift is in accordance with 33 CFR § 117.897(c)(3)(ii). The Coast Guard previously approved a deviation for the Broadway Bridge and Hawthorne Bridge supporting the Bridge to Brews event. For more information on this event, contact Keith Wagner at kcwagner@up.com
WASHINGTON – LAKE WASHINGTON SHIP CANAL – UNION BAY REACH – Montlake Street Bridge notice
The Coast Guard intends to approve a temporary bridge deviation request from the operating schedule of the Montlake Street Bridge (LLNR 18240). This deviation will facilitate roadway deck repair on the Montlake Bridge across the Lake Washington Ship Canal at mile 5.2 in Seattle, WA. The subject bridge will be authorized to operate in single leaf mode/half opening (as opposed to double leaf mode) from 2300 on Friday 22 Apr until 0500 on Monday 25 Apr 2022. Vessels needing a bridge opening will be provided a single leaf opening as needed per the operating rule during this time period. The repairs are dependent on weather conditions, and if the roadway repairs cannot be completed during 22 – 25 Apr, the deviation also authorizes backup dates in May and June. All three time periods are listed below:
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The bridge provides a horizontal navigation clearance of 129 feet and an unlimited vertical clearance with both bascule leaves open. During single leaf openings, the horizontal navigation clearance will be reduced to 64.5 feet. The Montlake Bridge in the closed-to-navigation position provides 30 feet of vertical clearance throughout the navigation channel, and 46 feet of vertical clearance throughout the center 60 feet of the bridge. During a single leaf opening, the closed half of the span will provide 30 feet of vertical clearance on the sides and 46 feet of vertical clearance in the center 30 feet of the span. All bridge clearances are referenced to the Mean Water Level of Lake Washington. Vessels able to pass through the Montlake Bridge in the closed-to-navigation position may do so at any time. The bridge will not be able to provide a full opening for emergencies, and there is no alternate route for vessels to pass. Vessels requiring a double leaf/full opening to navigate through the subject bridge must contact the bridge operator at least 24 hours in advance at (206) 720-3048 or via VHF-FM Channel 13. The Montlake Bridge shall operate in accordance with 33 CFR 117.1051(e) at all other times. If any mariner or marine stakeholder cannot support one of the below weekend closures, please submit your objection by 30 Mar 2022 at d13-smb-d13-bridges@uscg.mil.
SNAKE RIVER – LAKE SACAJAWEA – Bridge Inspection
WSDOT will be inspecting the SR-12 Highway Bridges (east bound) (LLNR 13113) and (west bound) (LLNR 13113.5) that cross the Snake River at RM 2.2 near Pasco, WA, between the hours of 0700 – 1300 daily on 18 – 22 Apr 2022. The bridge will be inspected deploying two under-bridge inspection trucks (UBITs) from the top of the bridge deck. UBITs have a flashing amber strobe light mounted to the bottom of each bucket. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting the area below the UBITs. For more information, contact Sean Tanner at (360) 601-2346 or tanners@wsdot.wa.gov
WASHINGTON – GPS testing (Revised from LNM 10/22)
US Strategic Command has cancelled the GPS testing previously advertised for 15 – 22 June centered at 46-53-04.7 N, 120-01-10.8W near Kittitas, WA. For additional information, contact the Coast Guard Navigation Center at (703) 313-5900 or at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=dgpsSiteInfo¤tOutages.
IDAHO – GPS testing
US Strategic Command has proposed GPS testing encompassing a portion of Idaho. The center point of the test will be near Idaho Falls Idaho, at position 43-34-30 N, 112-58-30 W with a radius of 161 NM. The GPS navigation signal may be unreliable due to testing on GPS frequencies used by shipboard navigation and handheld systems. Systems that rely on GPS, such as e-911, AIS and DSC, may be affected. The testing frequency will be GPS L1/L2. The testing period will be 0400 – 0900 daily (MST) from 22 – 28 Apr 2022. For additional information or to express concerns, contact the Coast Guard Navigation Center at (703) 313-5900 or at https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=dgpsSiteInfo¤tOutages.
SECTION VI - PROPOSED CHANGES
Periodically, the Coast Guard evaluates its system of aids to navigation to determine whether the conditions for which the aids to navigation were established have changed. When changes occur, the feasibility of improving, relocating, replacing, or discontinuing aids are considered. This section contains notice(s) of non-approved, proposed projects open for comment. SPECIAL NOTE: Mariners are requested to respond in writing to the District office unless otherwise noted (see banner page for address).
WASHINGTON – STRAIT OF JUAN DE FUCA TO STRAIT OF GEORGIA – SAN JUAN CHANNEL – Change to the light sectors at Fisherman Bay Sector Light
The U.S. Coast Guard is proposing to change the arc of visibility for the white and red sectors at Fisherman Bay Sector Light (LLNR 19560) to facilitate the installation of LED lighting equipment and increase the reliability of the light signal. The current white light sector would be reduced from 74 degrees to 18 degrees and the intensities of the white and red sectors would be increased to promote increased visibility. The white 18 degree sector would remain orientated to the northwest.
Mariners are encouraged to share comments on this proposed change and the performance and operation of these lights as aids to navigation. All comments should be sent to the email address D13-SMB-D13-LNM@uscg.mil. Any discrepancy for Aids to Navigation should continue to be reported to US Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound.
SECTION VII - GENERAL
This section contains information of general concern to the Mariners. Mariners are advised to use caution while transiting these areas.
SUMMARY OF BRIDGE LIGHTING DISCREPANCIES AND CORRECTIONS
The summary of Bridge Lighting Discrepancies and Corrections is listed as Enclosure (1) of this Local Notice to Mariners.
SUMMARY OF DREDGING OPERATIONS
The summary of Dredging Operations is listed as Enclosure (2) of this Local Notice to Mariners.
SUMMARY OF MARINE EVENTS
The summary of Marine Events is listed as Enclosure (3) of this Local Notice to Mariners.