Proposed Rule2026-19058
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Niantic River, Between Waterford and Niantic, CT
Primary source
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Published
September 17, 2026
Issuing agencies
Homeland Security DepartmentCoast Guard
Abstract
The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the Route 156 Bridge across Niantic River, mile 0.1, between Waterford and Niantic, CT. The bridge owner, Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), submitted a request on July 10, 2026, to remove the opening restrictions currently in place for November 1 through April 30 and allow the bridge to provide consistent bridge operations throughout the year. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 179 (Thursday, September 17, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 58835-58837]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-19058]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
33 CFR Part 117
[Docket Number USCG-2026-0961]
RIN 1625-AA09
Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Niantic River, Between Waterford
and Niantic, CT
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that
governs the Route 156 Bridge across Niantic River, mile 0.1, between
Waterford and Niantic, CT. The bridge owner, Connecticut Department of
Transportation (CTDOT), submitted a request on July 10, 2026, to remove
the opening restrictions currently in place for November 1 through
April 30 and allow the bridge to provide consistent bridge operations
throughout the year. We invite your comments on this proposed
rulemaking.
DATES: Comments and related material must be received by the Coast
Guard on or before October 19, 2026.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2026-0961 at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>.
See the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion
of the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for instructions on
submitting comments. This notice of proposed rulemaking with its plain-
language, 100-word-or-less proposed rule summary will be available in
this same docket.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this proposed
rule, call or email Ms. Stephanie E. Lopez, Northeast Coast Guard
District, Bridge Management Specialist, telephone 571-608-5676, email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#eab99e8f9a828b84838fc4afc4a6859a8f90aa9f99898dc4878386"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="095a7d6c79616867606c274c274566796c73497c7a6a6e27646065">[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
CTDOT Connecticut Department of Transportation
II. Background, Purpose and Legal Basis
The Route 156 Bridge at mile 0.1, across the Niantic River, between
Waterfront and Niantic, CT, has a vertical clearance of 32.25 feet at
mean high water and a horizontal clearance of approximately 100.3 feet.
Waterway users include recreational and commercial vessels, which
include fishing vessels.
The existing drawbridge operating regulations are listed at 33 CFR
117.215(b). The current regulations in 33 CFR117.215(b) state that the
draw of the S156 Bridge, mile 0.1, at Niantic, shall open on signal;
except that from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., and from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except holidays, the draw shall open only for the
passage of commercial vessels. From November 1 through April 30, from 8
p.m. to 4 a.m., the draw shall open on signal if at least six hours'
notice is given by calling the number posted at the bridge.
CTDOT is requesting the modification of the requirements in 33 CFR
117.215(b) to provide consistent bridge openings by removing the six-
hour notice from November 1 through April 30. Removing this restriction
will allow the bridge to open on signal for all vessels year-round,
except that, from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., and 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., Monday
through Friday, excluding holidays, the draw shall open only for the
passage of commercial vessels. CTDOT will provide bridge attendants on
a continuous basis to provide consistent bridge operations throughout
the year.
III. Discussion of Proposed Rule
The proposed rule removes operating restrictions from November 1
through April 30, providing consistent operations throughout the year.
The draw shall open on signal for
[[Page 58836]]
commercial vessels year-round. For recreational vessels, the draw shall
open on signal year-round, except from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m., and 4 p.m. to
5 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
IV. Regulatory Analyses
We developed this proposed rule after considering numerous statutes
and Executive Orders related to rulemaking. Below we summarize our
analyses based on these statutes and Executive Orders.
A. Impact on Small Entities
The Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980, 5 U.S.C. 601-612, as
amended, requires Federal agencies to consider the 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 certifies under 5 U.S.C. 605(b) that this
proposed rule would not have a significant economic impact on a
substantial number of small entities for the following reasons.
This regulatory action improves the ability of the bridge to open
on signal for both commercial and recreational vessels, reducing
potential delays for vessels transiting the Niantic River in the
vicinity of the bridge.
If you think that your business, organization, or governmental
jurisdiction qualifies as a small entity and that this rule would have
a significant economic impact on it, please submit a comment (see
ADDRESSES) explaining why you think it qualifies and how and to what
degree this rule would economically affect it.
Under section 213(a) of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement
Fairness Act of 1996 (Pub. L. 104-121), if the proposed 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. The Coast Guard will not retaliate against
small entities that question or complain about this proposed rule or
any policy or action of the Coast Guard.
B. Collection of Information
This proposed rule would call for no new collection of information
under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3520.).
C. Federalism and Indian Tribal Governments
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 proposed rule under that Order and
have determined that it is consistent with the fundamental federalism
principles and preemption requirements described in Executive Order
13132.
This proposed rule does not have tribal implications under
Executive Order 13175 (Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal
Governments) because it would 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. If
you believe this proposed rule has implications for federalism or
Indian tribes, please contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section.
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 proposed rule will not
result in such an expenditure, we do discuss the effects of this
proposed rule elsewhere in this preamble.
E. Environment
We have analyzed this rule under Department of Homeland Security
Management Directive 023-01-001-01, Rev. 01., 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 (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 proposed rule promulgates the operating
regulations or procedures for drawbridges. Such actions are
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. We seek any comments or
information that may lead to the discovery of a significant
environmental impact from this proposed rule.
V. Public Participation and Request for Comments
We view public participation as essential to effective rulemaking
and will consider all comments and material received during the comment
period. Your comment can help shape the outcome of this rulemaking. If
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this
rulemaking, indicate the specific section of this document to which
each comment applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or
recommendation.
Submitting comments. We encourage you to submit comments at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. To do so, go to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, type
USCG-2026-0961 in the search box and click ``Search.'' Next, look for
this document in the Search Results column, and click on it. Then click
on the Comment option. If your material cannot be submitted using
<a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>, contact the person in the FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate
instructions.
Viewing material in docket. To view documents mentioned in this
proposed rule as being available in the docket, find the docket as
described in the previous paragraph, and then select ``Supporting &
Related Material'' in the Document Type column. Public comments will
also be placed in our online docket and can be viewed by following
instructions on the <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> Frequently Asked
Questions web page. Also, if you go to the online docket and sign up
for email alerts through the ``Subscribe'' option, you will be notified
when comments/updates are posted, or a final rule is published.
Personal information. We accept anonymous comments. Comments we
post to <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a> will include any personal
information you have provided. For more about privacy and submissions
in response to this document, see DHS's eRulemaking System of Records
notice (85 FR 14226, March 11, 2020).
List of Subjects in 33 CFR Part 117
Bridges.
[[Page 58837]]
For the reasons discussed in the preamble, the Coast Guard proposes
to amend 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. Revise 117.215 paragraph (b) to read as follows:
Sec. 117.215 Niantic River
* * * * *
(b) The draw of the S156 Bridge, mile 0.1, at Niantic, shall open
on signal for commercial vessels year-round. For recreational vessels,
the draw will open on signal year-round, except the period from 7 a.m.
through 8 a.m., and from 4 p.m. through 5 p.m., Monday through Friday,
when the draw will remain closed, excluding holidays.
Matthew Lake,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Northeast Coast Guard
District.
[FR Doc. 2026-19058 Filed 9-16-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9110-04-P
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</html>Indexed from Federal Register on September 17, 2026.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.