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

The Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) will hold a teleconference for the purposes of receiving a report and recommendations from a HSAC Task Force, and holding member deliberations. The HSAC will receive a final report from the HSAC Private Sector Information Sharing Task Force, Chaired by Mayor Patrick McCrory, Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina. The Task Force will report on the topic of information sharing with the Private Sector. Following the Task Force report, the HSAC will hold deliberations and discussions among HSAC members.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone around a fireworks launch site while it launches fireworks. The safety zone includes all waters within 500 yards in any direction of the fireworks launch site located at Sisters Creek Marina, Jacksonville, Florida. The rule prohibits entry into the safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP) Jacksonville or his designated representative. The rule is needed to protect participants, vendors, and spectators from the hazards associated with the launching of fireworks.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public and other Federal agencies to take this opportunity to comment on proposed continuing information collections. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506(c)(2)(A)), this notice seeks comments concerning renewal of the Standard Flood Hazard Determination Form (FEMA Form 81-93).

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

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily change the regulations that govern the operation of the Route 35 Bridge, at New Jersey Intracoastal Waterway (NJICW) mile 1.1, across Manasquan River, at Brielle, New Jersey. The bridge will be closed to navigation on three four-month closure periods beginning from 8 a.m. November 1, 2006 until 5 p.m. March 1, 2007; from 8 a.m. on November 1, 2007 until 5 p.m. March 1, 2008; and from 8 a.m. on November 1, 2008 until 5 p.m. March 1, 2009. The extensive structural, mechanical, and electrical repairs and improvements necessitate these closures.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of an Environmental Equivalency Evaluation Index, which establishes a methodology to assess the oil outflow performance of alternative designs to the double hull oil tanker. This Environmental Equivalency Evaluation Index has been established in accordance with Section 705 of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Act of 2004.

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).