Rule2026-01398
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Inside Thorofare, Ventnor City, New Jersey
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
January 26, 2026
Effective
February 25, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is changing the operating schedule that governs the Dorset Avenue Bridge across Inside Thorofare, mile 72.1, at Ventnor City, NJ. The final rule will allow the drawbridge to only open between the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., if at least four hours' notice is given.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 3030-3031]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-01398]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2025-0312]
RIN 1625-AA09
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Inside Thorofare, Ventnor City,
New Jersey
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is changing the operating schedule that
governs the Dorset Avenue Bridge across Inside Thorofare, mile 72.1, at
Ventnor City, NJ. The final rule will allow the drawbridge to only open
between the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., if at least four hours' notice
is given.
DATES: This rule is effective February 25, 2026.
ADDRESSES: To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being
available in the docket, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. Type the
docket number USCG-2025-3012 in the ``SEARCH'' box and click
``SEARCH''. In the Document Type column, select ``Supporting & Related
Material.''
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this rule,
call or email Mr. Jack H. Williams, Bridge Management Specialist, USCG
East District; telephone 206-815-5085, email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#1d577c7e763355334a747171747c706e2f5d686e7e7a33707471"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9ad0fbf9f1b4d2b4cdf3f6f6f3fbf7e9a8daefe9f9fdb4f7f3f6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Table of Abbreviations
CFR Code of Federal Regulations
DHS Department of Homeland Security
FR Federal Register
OMB Office of Management and Budget
NPRM Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Advance, Supplemental)
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
On June 9, 2025, the Coast Guard published a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking NPRM) entitled ``Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Inside
Thorofare, Ventnor City, New Jersey'' in the Federal Register (90 FR
24256). There we stated why we issued the NPRM and invited comments on
our proposed regulatory action related to this regulatory change.
During the comment period that ended July 9, 2025, we received no
comments.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority 33 U.S.C. 499.
The Dorset Avenue Bridge across Inside Thorofare, mile 72.1, at Ventnor
City, NJ, has a vertical clearance of 9 feet at mean high water in the
closed to navigation position (unlimited in the open to navigation
position) and a horizontal clearance of 50 feet between the bridge
protective system. Waterway users include pleasure craft, commercial
and sport fishing vessels.
The existing drawbridge operating regulation for the Dorset Avenue
Bridge is listed in 33 CFR 117.733(i) and requires that the Bridge open
on signal except that from June 1 through September 30, from 9:15 a.m.
to 9:15 p.m., the draw need only open at 15 and 45 minutes after the
hour. A review of the drawbridge logs provided by Atlantic County, the
Bridge Owner, has revealed that requests for opening of the bridge have
decreased thus indicating minimal use. For the years 2022, 2023, and
2024, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the Dorset Avenue Bridge has opened for
vessels 42, 51, and 29 times, respectively. Because of minimal demand
for bridge opening, between the hours of 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the bridge
owner has requested that during these hours, year-round, the bridge
need only open when a four-hour advance notice is given.
IV. Discussion of Comments, Changes and the Final Rule
The Coast Guard received no comments on the NPRM and provided a
comment period of 30 days. The Coast Guard is amending Section 117.733
by revising paragraph (i) to include a new 4 hour notice requirement
for openings between the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. The final rule
will require a four-hour advance notice for openings, between the hours
of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., for the Dorset Avenue Bridge. Vessels that can
pass under the restricted vertical clearance and without requesting a
bridge opening may do so. The existing operating schedule for the June
1 through September 30 time period will remain. The existing
regulations states from June 1 through September 30, from 9:15 a.m. to
9:15 p.m., the draw need open only on the 15 and 45 minutes after the
hour. At all other times not mentioned, the bridge will open on signal.
V. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this rule after considering numerous statutes and
Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our analyses
based on a number of these statutes and Executive Orders.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA), 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires federal agencies to consider the
[[Page 3031]]
potential impact of regulations on small entities during rulemaking.
The term ``small entities'' comprises small businesses, not-for-profit
organizations that are independently owned and operated and are not
dominant in their fields, and governmental jurisdictions with
populations of less than 50,000. The Coast Guard received 0 comments
from the Small Business Administration on this rule. The Coast Guard
certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this rule will not have a
significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities
for the following reasons. Small entities can continue to pass under
the drawbridge with a four-hour advance notice for openings, between
the hours of 11 p.m. and 7 a.m., for the Dorset Avenue Bridge. Vessels
that can pass under the restricted vertical clearance and without
requesting a bridge opening may do so.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), we want to assist small
entities in understanding this rule. If the rule would affect your
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions concerning its provisions or options for compliance, please
contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
section.
Small businesses may send comments on the actions of Federal
employees who enforce, or otherwise determine compliance with, Federal
regulations to the Small Business and Agriculture Regulatory
Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small Business Regulatory
Fairness Boards. The Ombudsman evaluates these actions annually and
rates each agency's responsiveness to small business. If you wish to
comment on actions by employees of the Coast Guard, call 1-888-REG-FAIR
(1-888-734-3247). The Coast Guard will not retaliate against small
entities that question or complain about this rule or any policy or
action of the Coast Guard.
B. Collection of Information
This rule calls for no new collection of information under the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Government
A rule has implications for federalism under Executive Order 13132,
Federalism, if it has a substantial direct effect on the States, on the
relationship between the National Government and the States, or on the
distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of
government. We have analyzed this rule under that Order and have
determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132.
Also, this rule does not have tribal implications under Executive
Order 13175, Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments, because it does not have a substantial direct effect on
one or more Indian tribes, on the relationship between the Federal
Government and Indian tribes, or on the distribution of power and
responsibilities between the Federal Government and Indian tribes.
D. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1531-1538)
requires Federal agencies to assess the effects of their discretionary
regulatory actions. In particular, the Act addresses actions that may
result in the expenditure by a State, local, or tribal government, in
the aggregate, or by the private sector of $100,000,000 (adjusted for
inflation) or more in any one year. Though this rule will not result in
such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this rule elsewhere
in this preamble.
E. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Management Directive 023-01, Rev. 1, associated implementing
instructions, and Environmental Planning Policy COMDTINST 5090.1
(series) which guide the Coast Guard in complying with the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321-4370f). The
Coast Guard has determined that this action is one of a category of
actions that do not individually or cumulatively have a significant
effect on the human environment. This rule promulgates the operating
regulations or procedures for drawbridges and is categorically excluded
from further review, under paragraph L49, of Appendix A, Table 1 of DHS
Instruction Manual 023-01-001-01, Rev. 1.
Neither a Record of Environmental Consideration nor a Memorandum
for the Record are required for this rule.
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard amends
33 CFR part 117 as follows:
PART 117--DRAWBRIDGE OPERATION REGULATIONS
0
1. The authority citation for part 117 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 33 U.S.C. 499; 33 CFR 1.05-1; and DHS Delegation No.
00170.1, Revision No. 01.4.
0
2. Amend Sec. 117.733 by revising paragraph (i) to read as follows:
Sec. 117.733 New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway.
* * * * *
(i) The draw of the Dorset Avenue Bridge across Inside Thorofare,
mile 72.1, at Ventnor City, shall open on signal except that:
(1) Year-round, from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m., the draw need only open if
at least four-hour notice is given.
(2) From June 1 through September 30, from 9:15 a.m. to 9:15 p.m.,
the draw need open only on the 15 and 45 minutes after the hour.
* * * * *
J.C. Vann,
Rear Admiral (upper half), U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, East District.
[FR Doc. 2026-01398 Filed 1-23-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on January 26, 2026.
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