Rule2026-18364
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, Fort Pierce, FL
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
September 9, 2026
Effective
September 9, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard is removing the existing drawbridge operation regulation for the A1A North Causeway bridge, across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, mile 964.8, near Fort Pierce, FL. The drawbridge is under demolition, and the bascule spans have been permanently removed from the waterway in August 2026. The operating regulation is no longer applicable or necessary.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 173 (Wednesday, September 9, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 57258-57259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-18364]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket No. USCG-2026-1140]
RIN 1625-AA09
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway,
Fort Pierce, FL
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard is removing the existing drawbridge operation
regulation for the A1A North Causeway bridge, across the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway, mile 964.8, near Fort Pierce, FL. The drawbridge
is under demolition, and the bascule spans have been permanently
removed from the waterway in August 2026. The operating regulation is
no longer applicable or necessary.
DATES: This rule is effective September 9, 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-2026-1140) 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. Juan C. Martinez, Bridge Management Specialist,
Southeast Coast Guard District; telephone 571-608-9442, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4e043b2f20600d60032f3c3a27202b340e3b3d2d2960232722"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="430936222d6d006d0e2231372a2d263903363020246d2e2a2f">[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
Sec. Section
U.S.C. United States Code
FL Florida
II. Background Information and Regulatory History
The Coast Guard is issuing this final rule under the authority in 5
U.S.C. 553(b)(B). This provision authorizes an agency to issue a rule
without prior notice and opportunity to comment when the agency for
good cause finds that those procedures are ``impracticable,
unnecessary, or contrary to the public interest.'' Under 5 U.S.C.
553(b), the Coast Guard finds that good cause exists for not publishing
a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) with respect to this rule
because A1A North Causeway bridge, that once required draw operations
in 33 CFR 117.261, is under demolition and the bascule spans were
permanently removed from the waterway in August 2026. Therefore, the
regulation is no longer applicable and shall be removed from
publication. It is unnecessary to publish an NPRM because this
regulatory action is inconsequential to the industry and does not have
any impact on the public.
Under 5 U.S.C. 553(d)(3), the Coast Guard finds that good cause
exists for making this rule effective in less than 30 days after
publication in the Federal Register. The bridge is under demolition and
the bridge's bascule spans were permanently removed from the waterway,
and this rule merely requires an administrative change to the Federal
Register, in order to remove a regulatory requirement that is no longer
applicable or necessary. The removal of the bascule spans has already
taken place, and the removal of the regulation will not affect mariners
currently operating on this waterway. Therefore, a delayed effective
date is unnecessary.
III. Legal Authority and Need for Rule
The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority 33 U.S.C. 499.
The A1A North Causeway bridge is under demolition, and the bascule
spans
[[Page 57259]]
were permanently removed from the waterway in August 2026. The
elimination of this drawbridge necessitates the removal of the
drawbridge operation regulation, 33 CFR 117.261(d), that pertains to
the former drawbridge.
The purpose of this rule is to remove the paragraph of 33 CFR
117.261 that refers to the A1A North Causeway bridge at mile 964.8,
from the Code of Federal Regulations since it governs a drawbridge that
is under demolition and will be removed from the waterway.
IV. Discussion of Final Rule
The Coast Guard is removing the regulation in 33 CFR 117.261
related to the draw operations for A1A North Causeway bridge since it
is under demolition and no longer a drawbridge. The change removes the
paragraph of the regulation governing the A1A North Causeway bridge
since the bascule spans were permanently removed from the waterway.
This Final Rule seeks to update the Code of Federal Regulations by
removing language that governs the operation of the A1A North Causeway
bridge, which is under demolition and no longer a drawbridge. This
change does not affect waterway or land traffic. This change does not
affect, nor does it alter the operating schedules in 33 CFR 117.261
that govern the remaining active drawbridges on the Atlantic
Intracoastal Waterway.
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 analysis provisions of the Regulatory
Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, do not apply to rules that
are not subject to notice and comment. Because the Coast Guard has, for
good cause, waived the notice and comment requirement that would
otherwise apply to this rulemaking, the Regulatory Flexibility Act's
flexibility analysis provisions do not apply here.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if this rule will affect your
small business, organization, or governmental jurisdiction and you have
questions, contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION
CONTACT section.
Small businesses may send comments to the Small Business and
Agriculture Regulatory Enforcement Ombudsman and the Regional Small
Business Regulatory Fairness Boards by calling 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 et seq.). 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.
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2. Amend Sec. 117.261 by removing and reserving paragraph (d).
Dated: August 31, 2026.
Adam A. Chamie,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Southeast Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 2026-18364 Filed 9-8-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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