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

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of Tampa Bay, Florida, in the vicinity of the Clearwater Memorial bascule bridge. This safety zone is being established to protect mariners from the hazards associated with the blasting demolition of the concrete portions of the Clearwater Memorial bascule bridge. This rule is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Route 33/Knapps Narrows Bridge, at mile 0.4, across Knapps Narrows, at Tilghman, Maryland. This deviation allows the drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation each day from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., beginning on Monday, October 24 until Friday, October 28, 2005, to facilitate mechanical repairs.

A working group of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) will meet to discuss Task Statement 52, ``Recommendations on the Coast Guard's Draft Proposals on Issues That Will Be Affected by the Revisions to the 1997 Interim Rule Implementing the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended.'' MERPAC advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to the training, qualifications, licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine. This meeting will be open to the public.

This notice announces the creation of Non-portal Accounts for importers wishing to participate in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) test, but not seeking the benefits that inure to parties that establish Portal Accounts. This notice also announces that all importers who are certified partners in the voluntary Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) Program, and are not holders of ACE Portal Accounts, are automatically established as ACE Non-portal Accounts and are eligible to participate in the Periodic Monthly Statement test. This Notice further announces that importers who are not certified partners in C-TPAT may still become Non-portal Accounts by accurately completing a Customs and Border Protection Form (CBP Form) 5106 and then submitting that document to a customs broker who is participating in ACE via a Portal Account. The broker will then submit that information to CBP. Finally, the document states that any current C-TPAT certified partners who are owners of Portal Accounts and are not participating in Periodic Monthly Statement (PMS) may immediately participate in PMS directly with CBP, or through a customs broker with an ACE Portal Account, by providing to CBP those importer of record numbers that are part of the Portal Account and that have been previously designated to C-TPAT.

This rule identifies communities that are participating and suspended from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). These communities have applied to the program and have agreed to enact certain floodplain management measures. The communities' participation in the program authorizes the sale of flood insurance to owners of properties located in the communities listed below.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the Territory of American Samoa (FEMA-1582-DR), dated February 18, 2005, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of an emergency declaration for the State of Alabama (FEMA-3214-EM), dated August 28, 2005, and related determinations.

This final rule revises the Department of Homeland Security's procedures for managing classified national security information. This rule implements procedures required under Executive Order 12958, ``Classified National Security Information,'' as amended by Executive Order 13292, and amends the initial procedures established when the Department was created in January 2003. Further, this rule delegates to the Chief Security Officer of the Department of Homeland Security the responsibility of serving as the ``Senior Agency Official'' pursuant to Executive Order 12958, as amended.

On September 1, 2005, the Coast Guard published a notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register requesting public comments regarding establishment of permanent special local regulations for ``Tug-of-War'', a marine event conducted over the waters of Spa Creek between Eastport and Annapolis, 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 Spa Creek during the event.

The National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC) and its subcommittees on boats and associated equipment, aftermarket marine equipment, and prevention through people will meet to discuss various issues relating to recreational boating safety. All meetings will be open to the public.

The Lower Mississippi River Waterway Safety Advisory Committee (LMRWSAC) will meet to discuss various issues relating to navigational safety on the Lower Mississippi River and related waterways. The meeting will be open to the public.

This notice amends the notice of an emergency declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-3216-EM), dated September 2, 2005, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-1606-DR), dated September 24, 2005, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Alabama (FEMA-1605-DR), dated August 29, 2005, and related determinations.

This notice advises the public of the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties. For the calendar quarter beginning October 1, 2005, the interest rates for overpayments will be 6 percent for corporations and 7 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 7 percent. This notice is published for the convenience of the importing public and Customs and Border Protection personnel.

The National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) will hold a meeting to discuss various issues relating to national maritime security. This notice announces the date, time, and location for the meeting of the NMSAC.

TSA invites public comment on one currently approved information collection requirement abstracted below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for renewal in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Coast Guard is revising the operating regulations for highway drawbridges to establish permanent winter operating hours, and to establish operating regulations for two Canadian National Railway drawbridges, all located over the Fox River in Green Bay and DePere, WI. The revised regulation establishes permanent winter operating schedules for all drawbridges during winter months while still providing for the reasonable needs of navigation.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of New York (FEMA-3262-EM), dated September 30, 2005, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Louisiana (FEMA-1607-DR), dated September 24, 2005, and related determinations.

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 the application for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina devastated the coastlines of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. The Regional Examination Center (REC) at New Orleans, which serves 14% of mariners nation-wide including approximately 29,000 mariners in those three states, was flooded, destroying vital records and equipment, and rendering the facility temporarily inoperable. The Coast Guard is opening temporary offices in Morgan City, LA and Memphis, TN to provide services to mariners that have been affected by the closure of the REC in New Orleans.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the waters of Puget Sound around the body and debris of a helicopter. The Coast Guard is establishing this zone to ensure unencumbered access for rescuers and investigators, and protect the public from numerous dangers associated with recovery of this submerged aircraft. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Puget Sound or his designated representatives.