Coast Guard seeks comments on rail bridge navigation

By Lyndsie Kiebert
Reader Staff

The U.S. Coast Guard is seeking comment from members of the public regarding navigation of the two proposed BNSF bridges in Sandpoint across Lake Pend Oreille and Sand Creek.

The Coast Guard’s announcement states that a “draft environmental document” is still in the works, so this request for comment is specifically in regards to the bridges’ proposed structures and whether the interested public finds the plans safely navigable. Separate notices will be posted when that environmental document is ready for public review, the Coast Guard said.

“(T)his (public notice) is soliciting for comments exclusively related to navigation,” the announcement reads. “The public is highly encouraged to carefully review this notice, attached plans, and diagrams and then provide comments with regard to the proposed bridge’s ability to meet the reasonable needs of navigation.”

Access maps and plans for the project and read a summary of project impacts at www.navcen.uscg.gov/D13BN under “BNSF Proposal.”

Submit comments by email at D13-PF-D13BRIDGES@uscg.mil, by phone at (206)220-7282 or by mail at Commander (dpw), Thirteenth Coast Guard District, 910 2nd Avenue, Suite 3510, Seattle, Wash. All comments must be received by Jan. 17.