Department of Homeland Security April 2005 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is changing the regulations that govern the operation of the Norfolk Southern (NS) Railroad Bridge (NS V2.8) across the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River, at mile 2.7, in Norfolk, VA. The final rule allows the NS V2.8 bridge to be operated from a remote location, and to remain open for vessel traffic and to close only for train crossings and periodic maintenance. This rule will make the operation of the bridge more efficient, because currently the bridge only opens on signal, or on signal after notice.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of California (FEMA-1585-DR), dated April 14, 2005, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of California (FEMA-1585-DR), dated April 14, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (FEMA-1587-DR), dated April 14, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of New York (FEMA-1589-DR), dated April 19, 2005, and related determinations.

The Coast Guard announces the stand-up of Sector Corpus Christi. Sector Corpus Christi is an internal reorganization that combines Group Corpus Christi and Marine Safety Office Corpus Christi into a single command. The Coast Guard has established a continuity of operations whereby all previous practices and procedures will remain in effect until superseded by an authorized Coast Guard official or document.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to title 19 of the Code of Federal Regulations Sec. 111.51(a), the following individual Customs broker licenses and any and all permits have been cancelled due to the death of the broker:

Pursuant to section 641 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended, (19 U.S.C. 1641) and the Customs Regulations (19 CFR 111.51), the following Customs broker licenses are cancelled without prejudice.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations that govern the operation of the S.R. 18-B Bridge, formerly known as U.S. Route 50/ 301 Bridge, over Kent Island Narrows, mile 1.0, in Kent Island, MD. The proposal would allow the bridge to open on signal on the hour and half- hour from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m., from May 1 through October 31. The proposed rule will allow for a more efficient flow of vessel traffic.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Coast Guard intends to seek the approval of OMB for the renewal of one Information Collection Request (ICR). The ICR comprise 1625-0040, Continuous Discharge Book, Merchant Mariner Application, Physical Examination Report, Sea Service Report, Chemical Testing and Entry Level Physical Report. Before submitting the ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the Coast Guard intends to seek the approval of OMB for the renewal of three Information Collection Requests (ICRs). The ICRs comprise (1) 1625-0060, Vapor Control Systems for Facilities and Tank Vessels, (2) 1625-0081, Alternate Compliance Program, and (3) 1625-0083, Operational Measures for Existing Tank Vessels Without Double Hulls. Before submitting the ICRs to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments on them as described below.

The President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) will meet in closed session on Wednesday, May 11, 2005, from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m., and from 12:55 until 3 p.m. The meeting will take place at the United States Chamber of Commerce, 1615 H Street, NW., Washington, DC. The NSTAC advises the President of the United States on issues and problems related to implementing national security and emergency preparedness (NS/EP) telecommunications policy.

The Coast Guard proposes the establishment of a safety zone around a petroleum and gas production facility in Mississippi Canyon 778 of the Outer Continental Shelf in the Gulf of Mexico. The facility needs to be protected from vessels operating outside the normal shipping channels and fairways, and placing a safety zone around this area would significantly reduce the threat of allisions, oil spills and releases of natural gas. This proposed rule prohibits all vessels from entering or remaining in the specified area around the facility's location except for an attending vessel, a vessel under 100 feet in length overall not engaged in towing, or a vessel authorized by the Eighth Coast Guard District Commander.

The Coast Guard is implementing the special local regulations at 33 CFR 100.511 during the Annapolis Yacht Club boat parade, a marine event to be held May 8, 2005, on the waters of Spa Creek and the Severn River at Annapolis, Maryland. These special local regulations are necessary to control vessel traffic due to the confined nature of the waterway and expected vessel congestion during the event. The effect will be to restrict general navigation in the regulated area for the safety of event participants, spectators and vessels transiting the event area.

FEMA announces the following open meeting. Name: Federal Interagency Committee on Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS). Date of Meeting: June 2, 2005. Place: 3rd Floor Conference Center, Twinbrook Room, Parklawn Building, 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, Maryland 20857. Times: 10:30 a.m.Main FICEMS Meeting; 1 p.m.FICEMS Ambulance Safety Subcommittee. Proposed Agenda: Review and submission for approval of previous FICEMS Committee Meeting Minutes; Ambulance Safety Subcommittee and Counter-terrorism Subcommittee report; Action Items review; presentation of member agency reports; and reports of other interested parties.

This interim rule implements changes to the Soviet Scientists Immigration Act of 1992 (SSIA), Public Law 102-509, made by the Foreign Relations Authorization Act, Fiscal Year 2003, Public Law 107-228. The SSIA, as amended, reinstates the authority to allot visas under section 203(b)(2)(A) of the Immigration and Nationality (Act) to eligible scientists or engineers of the independent states of the former Soviet Union and the Baltic states with expertise in nuclear, chemical, biological, or other high-technology field or defense projects. This rule amends the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulations to codify the new sunset date of September 30, 2006 and the new numerical limit of 950 visas (excluding spouses and children if accompanying or following to join). The rule also modifies the evidence eligible scientists or engineers must submit to establish their expertise or work experience in such high technology fields or defense projects.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC). TSAC advises the Coast Guard on matters relating to shallow-draft inland and coastal waterway navigation and towing safety.

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent security zones around all cruise ships while transiting or moored in the Port of Mobile and Mobile Ship Channel shoreward of the Mobile Sea Buoy. These security zones are needed to ensure the safety and security of these vessels. Entry into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Mobile or a designated representative.

This notice advises the public of a recent change to Marine Safety Center Technical Note (MTN) 01-99, Tonnage Technical Policy, which is used for interpreting the Coast Guard?s vessel tonnage measurement regulations. This notice advises the public on how to obtain the recent change to the MTN, and summarizes the interpretations included in this change.

The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995: Notice of Detention. This is a proposed extension of an information collection that was previously approved. CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with no change to the burden hours. This document is published to obtain comments form the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (69 FR 76952) on December 23, 2004, allowing for a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish temporary security zones in portions of the waters around Stapleton Homeport Pier in Upper New York Bay, as well as the New York City Passenger Ship Terminal and Intrepid Museum in the Hudson River and around each participating Fleet Week vessel. This action is necessary to safeguard Naval vessels, Coast Guard vessels, and critical port infrastructure from sabotage, subversive act, or other threats. This rule does not apply to any vessel engaged in the enforcement of these security zones, other law enforcement, port security, or search and rescue activity. This rule would prohibit entry into or movement within these security zones without authorization from the Captain of the Port of New York.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation of the SR 315 (Bayou Dularge) bascule bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 59.9 west of Harvey Lock, in Houma, Louisiana. An increase in traffic during the noontime time period facilitated a request to allow the bridge to remain closed to navigation for two (2), 30-minute periods in the middle of the day. These closures will allow local workers to transit the area with minimal delays during the noontime lunch period.