The Coast Guard is removing the existing drawbridge operation regulation for the CSX Transportation railroad bridge, mile 60.9, near Clyo, GA. The drawbridge was converted to a fixed bridge in August 2026, and the operating regulation is no longer applicable or necessary.

Dates

¶1

This rule is effective September 4, 2026.

Addresses

¶1

To view documents mentioned in this preamble as being available in the docket, go to https://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number (USCG-2026-1095) in the "SEARCH" box and click "SEARCH". In the Document Type column, select "Supporting & Related Material."

For further information contact

¶1

If you have questions on this rule, call or email Ms. Jennifer Zercher, Bridge Management Specialist, Southeast Coast Guard District; telephone 571-607-5951, email [email protected].

I. Table of Abbreviations

¶1

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 GA Georgia

II. Background Information and Regulatory History

¶1

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 CSX Transportation railroad bridge, that once required draw operations in 33 CFR 117.371(b), was converted to a fixed bridge 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 Therefore, the regulation is no longer applicable and shall be removed from publication.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 has been converted to a fixed bridge, 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merely requires an administrative change to the Federal Register, in order to remove a regulatory requirement that is no longer applicable or necessary.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 modification 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

¶1

The Coast Guard is issuing this rule under authority 33 U.S.C. 499. The CSX Transportation railroad bridge (Savannah River) was converted to a fixed bridge in August 2026. The elimination of this drawbridge necessitates the removal of the drawbridge operation regulation, 33 CFR 117.371(b), that pertains to the former drawbridge. The purpose of this rule is to remove the paragraph of 33 CFR 117.371 that refers to the CSX Transportation railroad bridge at mile 60.9, from the Code of Federal Regulations since it governs a drawbridge that is no longer able to be opened.

IV. Discussion of Final Rule

¶1

The Coast Guard is removing the regulation in 33 CFR 117.371 related to

¶2

the draw operations for CSX Transportation railroad bridge since it is no longer a drawbridge. The change removes the paragraph of the regulation governing the CSX Transportation railroad bridge since the bridge has been converted to a fixed bridge. This Final Rule seeks to update the Code of Federal Regulations by removing language that governs the operation of the CSX Transportation railroad bridge, which is 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 117.371 that govern the remaining active drawbridges on the Savannah River.