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

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.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is requesting OMB's approval to reinstate Information Collection Request (ICR) 1600-0005 (Solicitation of Proposal Information for Award of Public Contracts) which expired June 30, 2005. This ICR is necessary for businesses and individuals seeking contracting opportunities with DHS.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations during the ``Thunder on the Narrows'' boat races, a marine event to be held August 6 and August 7, 2005, on the waters of Prospect Bay, near Kent Island Narrows, Maryland. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic in portions of Prospect Bay during the event.

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 is for 1625-0089, The National Recreational Boating Survey. Before submitting the ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments on it as described below.

This notice solicits public input on the amount of potable water that should be available on inspected vessels. Section 416 of the Coast Guard and Marine Transportation Act of 2004 amended 46 U.S.C. 3305 on ``Scope and standards of inspection.'' This amendment adds a new item to the inspection process; that is, to ensure that each inspected vessel has an adequate supply of potable water for drinking and washing by passengers and crew. The Coast Guard is considering the options for implementing the new statute and seeks public input and information on criteria to determine the amount of potable water that should be available on inspected vessels.

On November 3, 2004, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published two Notices in the Federal Register extending the designations of Honduras and Nicaragua for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) until July 5, 2006, and automatically extending employment authorization documents (EADs) for the beneficiaries of TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua for six months, from January 5, 2005 until July 5, 2005. Beneficiaries of TPS for Honduras and Nicaragua are required to re-register and obtain new EADs. However, because of the large number of beneficiaries for TPS for Nicaragua and Honduras, USCIS will not be able to process and re-issue new EADs for all such beneficiaries by the July 5, 2005 expiration date. Accordingly, USCIS has decided to extend the validity of EADs issued to Honduran or Nicaraguan nationals (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras or Nicaragua) under the extension of the TPS designations for an additional 90 days, from July 5, 2005 until October 5, 2005. This Notice announces that extension and also explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended.

The Coast Guard is removing an established security zone in the Port of Port Lavaca-Point Comfort. Under the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002, owners or operators of local facilities are required to take specific action to improve facility security. As such, a security zone around local facilities will no longer be necessary under normal conditions. This final rule removes an established security zone.

The Department of Homeland Security published a document in the Federal Register of June 27, 2005, concerning the National Infrastructure Advisory Council (NIAC) meeting on Tuesday, July 12, 2005. The time has changed for the meeting.

The Coast Guard announces the stand-up of Sector Lower Mississippi River. The Sector Lower Mississippi River Commanding Officer has the authority, responsibility and missions of the prior Group Commander, Captain of the Port (COTP), Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMI), Federal On Scene Coordinator (FOSC), Federal Maritime Security Coordinator (FMSC), and Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator (SMC) Lower Mississippi River. 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 and/or document.

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 is for 1625-0010, Defect/ Noncompliance Report and Campaign Update Report. Before submitting the ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments on it as described below.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Popps Ferry Road Bascule Span Bridge across the Back Bay of Biloxi, mile 8.0, at Biloxi, Harrison County, Mississippi. This deviation allows the north bascule span of the bridge to remain closed to navigation for twelve hours on July 26, 2005 with an alternate date of August 2, 2005 in case of inclement weather. This temporary deviation is necessary for the replacement of the hydraulic hoses of the drawbridge operating system.

The Licensing Working Group of the Towing Safety Advisory Committee (TSAC) will meet to discuss matters relating to specific issues of towing safety. The meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is seeking applications for appointment to membership on the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). MERPAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters related to the training, qualification, licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine.

The Coast Guard is conducting a Port Access Route Study (PARS) to evaluate the applicability of and the need for modifications to current vessel routing measures in the approaches to Block Island Sound, between Montauk Channel and The Race, and the area from the Point Judith Pilot Boarding area to The Race. The goal of the study is to help reduce the risk of marine casualties and increase the efficiency of vessel traffic management in the study area. The recommendations of the study may lead to future rulemaking action or appropriate international agreements.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations for the loading, transport, and launching of fireworks used during twenty two separate Fourth of July fireworks displays to be held in various locations in Northern California and Western Nevada. These special local regulations are intended to prohibit vessels and people from entering into or remaining within the regulated areas to ensure the safety of participants, spectators, and mariners transiting the event areas.

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 Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the drawbridge operation regulations for the Metropolitan Avenue Bridge, mile 3.4, across English Kills at New York City, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position from July 8, 2005 through July 22, 2005 and from July 25, 2005 through August 31, 2005. This temporary deviation is necessary to facilitate bridge maintenance.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation of the State Highway 188 vertical lift span bridge, across Bayou La Batre, mile 2.3, at Bayou La Batre, Alabama. This rule will allow the draw of the bridge to open on the hour during the predominant daylight hours, remain closed except for emergencies at night and remain closed to navigation at specific vehicular peak rush hour periods. This rule will allow for better coordination and facilitate movement of both vehicular and marine traffic at the bridge site due to an increase in commuter traffic Monday thru Friday.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone on the waters of the upper Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the security of a large number of visitors to the annual July 4th celebration on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The security zone will allow for control of a designated area of the river and safeguard spectators and high-ranking officials.

The Coast Guard announces that the Captain of the Port (COTP) Los Angeles-Long Beach will hold a public meeting regarding the maritime safety and security aspects of the proposed San Pedro Bay, California liquefied natural gas (LNG) facility. The Coast Guard also requests public comments regarding the maritime safety and security aspects of the aforementioned proposed LNG facility.