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

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulations governing the operation of the Boot Key Harbor bridge, mile 0.13, between Marathon and Boot Key, Monroe County, Florida. Due to the amount of vehicle traffic and the lack of openings during the proposed time period, this proposed action would improve the movement of vehicular traffic while not unreasonably interfering with the movement of vessel traffic. This proposed rule would allow the bridge to open on the hour between the hours of 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. At all other times, the bridge will open on demand following a 10-minute notification to the bridge tender. The draw shall open as soon as practicable for the passage of tugs with tows, public vessels of the United States and vessels in a situation where a delay would endanger life or property.

Since September 11, 2001, general aviation aircraft operations have been prohibited at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is issuing this interim final rule (IFR) to restore access to DCA for certain aircraft operations while maintaining the security of critical Federal Government and other assets in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. This IFR applies to all passenger aircraft operations into or out of DCA, except U.S. air carrier operations operating under a full security program required by 49 CFR part 1544 and foreign air carrier operations operating under 49 CFR 1546.101(a) or (b). The IFR establishes security procedures for aircraft operators and gateway airport operators, and security requirements relating to crewmembers, passengers, and armed security officers onboard aircraft operating into or out of DCA. Although this IFR is effective on August 18, 2005, an aircraft operator may not conduct operations into or out of DCA until it is determined by TSA to be in compliance with the security requirements set forth in this IFR.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of the Columbia River during hydroplane races. The Captain of the Port, Portland, Oregon, is taking this action to safeguard watercraft and their occupants from safety hazards associated with these vessels that travel at a high rate of speed. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port.

This rule identifies communities, where the sale of flood insurance has been authorized under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), that are scheduled for suspension on the effective dates listed within this rule because of noncompliance with the floodplain management requirements of the program. If the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) receives documentation that the community has adopted the required floodplain management measures prior to the effective suspension date given in this rule, the suspension will not occur and a notice of this will be provided by publication in the Federal Register on a subsequent date.

The Coast Guard previously announced the stand-up of Sectors Detroit, Sector Sault Ste. Marie, Sector Buffalo, and Sector Lake Michigan under this docket. This notice informs the public that the process is nearing completion for all Sectors in the Ninth Coast Guard District. All boundaries of areas of responsibility will shift on July 29, 2005, the date of stand-up of the last Sector, Sector Lake Michigan. The Commander of each Sector has the authority, responsibility and missions of its corresponding Group, Captain of the Port (COTP) and Marine Safety Offices. 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.

The Coast Guard has established a permanent safety zone and modified certain anchorages in the area of the Marcus Hook Range when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) conducts its annual dredging operations. Annual dredging is necessary to maintain congressionally authorized channel depths. The safety zone and anchorage modifications are necessary to ensure safe vessel transits during the dredging operations. These regulations will alter the route of vessels transiting the channel and requirements for those vessels wishing to anchor during the dredging operations.

The Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement and seeks inquiries and proposals from potential partners. The goal of this agreement will be further development of innovative fire suppression/protection systems for use on marine vessels and Coast Guard approval procedures for such systems.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of the Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for the Mark 11 Static Barrier Running Gear Entanglement System (RGES). The Coast Guard is proposing to establish and operate a Mark (MK) 11 Static Barrier RGES at various and currently unknown U.S. ports throughout the U.S. Maritime Domain, when necessary. The purpose of Proposed Action is to improve the Coast Guard's capabilities to intercept and interdict small boats and watercraft. The MK11 Static Barrier RGES would deliver an entanglement device which would foul the propellers of unauthorized vessels attempting to approach restricted areas. The MK 11 Static Barrier RGES would not duplicate existing protective measures, but would provide complimentary, non-redundant capabilities that would be able to close significant readiness gaps in our nation's strategic ports.

On July 1, 2005, the Coast Guard published a temporary final rule establishing a security zone in Cleveland's inner harbor for the visit of the HMCS Toronto. On July 8, 2005, the Coast Guard learned the HMCS Toronto would be mooring at a different location. This rule changes the location of the temporary security zone and clarifies its duration Entry into this security zone is prohibited without permission of the Captain of the Port Cleveland.

Modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) are finalized for the communities listed below. These modified elevations will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.

Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations and modified Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are made final for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that each community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed below. The BFEs are the basis for the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of being already in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Idaho (FEMA-1592-DR), dated July 6, 2005, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Mississippi (FEMA-1594-DR), dated July 10, 2005, and related determinations.

This provides notice of a forthcoming meeting of the Interagency Coordinating Council on Emergency Preparedness and individuals with Disabilities (ICC). Notice of this meeting is intended to inform members of the general public of their opportunity to attend the meeting. The ICC will engage in discussions related to the one year anniversary of Executive Order 13347 and review accomplishment and future goals of the ICC in implementation of this Executive Order. The meeting will be open and accessible to the general public.

The President's National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC) will meet on Wednesday, July 27, 2005, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. The meeting will take place via teleconference and will be open to the public. For access to the conference bridge and meeting materials, interested members of the public should contact Ms. Elizabeth Hart at (703) 289-5948, or by e-mail at hart elizabeth@bah.com, by 5 p.m. on Monday, July 25, 2005. 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. During the call, the members will receive briefings on Exercise Pinnacle and the National Infrastructure Protection Plan and will discuss the NSTAC work plan and task force activities.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the Coast Guard has forwarded one Information Collection Request1625-0040, Continuous Discharge Book, Merchant Mariner Application, Physical Examination Report, Sea Service Report, Chemical Testing and Entry Level Physical Reportabstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget for review and comment. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comment by OIRA ensures that we impose only paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Nebraska (FEMA-1590-DR), dated June 23, 2005, and related determinations.