Department of Homeland Security 2006 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has submitted the following information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission describes the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort and resources used by respondents to respond) and cost, and includes the actual data collection instruments FEMA will use. Title: Metropolitan Firefighter Demographics Study. OMB Number: 1660-NW17. Abstract: Data products and reports exist that contain fragmented or estimated information about firefighter demographics, but there is no single reference source today that aggregates this data to provide an accurate profile of firefighters on a per department basis. The USFA \1\ receives many requests for information related to firefighters, including gender, race and ethnicity, as well as the number of firefighters holding chief officer and line officer positions. The USFA is working to identify the demographic makeup of metropolitan fire departments in the United States to provide input for program planning and to inform stakeholders of the demographic composition of firefighters. The database will be used by USFA to guide programmatic decisions and provide the Fire Service and the public with information about firefighter demographics at an aggregate level. Fire departments are able to complete the demographic firefighter questionnaire by filling out a paper form and faxing the completed form, or sending it in a return envelope.

Technical information or comments are requested on the proposed Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFEs 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).

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on a new information collection requirement abstracted below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act.

The Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), its Subcommittee on Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS), as well as its Working Groups on MARPOL Annex II, Barge Hazard Communication and Vapor Control Systems (VCS) will meet to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. These meetings will be open to the public.

This notice provides the public with an updated list of ports through which nonimmigrant aliens who have been specially registered may depart from the United States. Special registration is required of nonimmigrant aliens whose presence in the United States requires closer monitoring.

This interim rule announces that a commercial motor vehicle driver licensed in Canada or Mexico who holds a Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program card may use that card as an acceptable credential to transport placarded amounts of hazardous materials or any quantity of a material listed as a select agent or toxin in 42 CFR part 73 within the United States. The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU) requires that, as of August 10, 2006, commercial motor vehicle drivers licensed in Canada or Mexico who transport hazardous materials in the United States must undergo a background check similar to the one required of U.S.-licensed operators with a hazardous materials endorsement (HME) on a commercial drivers license (CDL). The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has determined that the background check required to obtain a credential under the FAST program meets the background check requirements of SAFETEA-LU. TSA invites comment on any other existing background check programs that satisfy the requirements under SAFETEA-LU. This interim rule also removes pre-existing procedures for commercial drivers who transport explosives into the United States from Canada, and replaces it with a revised provision that applies to commercial drivers who transport explosives, as well as other hazardous materials, into and within the United States.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone on the St. Louis River in Duluth, Minnesota. The purpose of the safety zone is to protect the boating public from dangers associated with the cleanup operation in and around Stryker Bay. Entry into this zone will be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his duly appointed representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing permanent special local regulations for ``Ragin' on the River'', a power boat race held annually each Labor Day weekend on the waters of the Susquehanna River adjacent to Port Deposit, 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 the Susquehanna River adjacent to Port Deposit, Maryland during the power boat race.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Maryland (FEMA-1652-DR), dated July 2, 2006, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of Missouri (FEMA-3267-EM), dated July 21, 2006, and related determinations.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Beverly Homecoming Fireworks Display on August 6, 2006 in Beverly, Massachusetts, temporarily closing all waters of Beverly Harbor within a four hundred (400) yard radius of the fireworks barge located at approximate position 42[deg]33.35'' N, 070[deg]52.00'' W. This zone is necessary to protect the maritime public from the potential hazards posed by a fireworks display. The safety zone temporarily prohibits entry into or movement within this portion of Beverly Harbor during its closure period. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Boston, Massachusetts.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations (SLR) for the Seattle Seafair, Lake Washington, Washington. These special local regulations limit the movement of non-participating vessels in the regulated race area and provide for a viewing area for spectator craft. This rule is needed to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during Seafair. The rule adds four hours to the effective time period of the existing SLR to accommodate the addition of a fireworks display in this year's Seafair.

The Transportation Security Administration is amending its regulations to exempt four systems of records from certain provisions of the Privacy Act. The systems intended for exemption are the Transportation Security Intelligence Service Operations Files, the Personnel Background Investigation File System, the Transportation Security Enforcement Record System, and the Internal Investigation Record.

The Coast Guard announces the stand-up of Sector Anchorage. The creation of Sector Anchorage is an internal reorganization that combines Marine Safety Office Anchorage with all prior subordinate units in addition to USCGC LONG ISLAND, USCGC MUSTANG, USCGC ROANOKE ISLAND, and Station Valdez into a single command. In addition, a Sector Field Office has been created to provide remote logistics support at Valdez, Alaska named Sector Field Office Valdez, which will be subordinate to Sector Anchorage. 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 is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Lynch Wedding Fireworks display on August 5, 2006 in Marblehead, Massachusetts, temporarily closing all waters of the Atlantic Ocean between Marblehead Neck and Marblehead Rock in the vicinity of Lasque Ledge within a four hundred (400) yard radius of the fireworks barges located at approximate positions 42[deg]30.142' N, 070[deg]49.813' W and 42[deg]30.146' N, 070[deg]49.733' W. This zone is necessary to protect the maritime public from the potential hazards posed by a fireworks display. The safety zone temporarily prohibits entry into or movement within this portion of the Atlantic Ocean during its closure period. Entry into this zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Boston, Massachusetts or the COTP's designated representative.

The Coast Guard will hold a public hearing to receive comments on the Interstate 5 Bridge Replacement Project, also known as the Columbia River Crossing Project, between Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington. The dual vertical lift highway bridges across the Columbia River, mile 106.5, are being examined as candidates for replacement. Comments regarding impacts that the proposed bridge replacement project may have on navigation of the Columbia River and the environment will be of particular relevance to the Coast Guard's bridge permitting responsibilities.

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the drawbridge operation regulations that govern the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Craigie Bridge, formerly, the Metropolitan District Commission, Craigie Bridge, across the Charles River, mile 1.0, at Boston, Massachusetts. This temporary rule in effect from July 24, 2006 through September 30, 2006, requires the Craigie Bridge to open on signal on the half-hour only between 12 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and it also extends the rush hour closed periods normally in effect Monday through Friday, by one-hour. This temporary final rule is necessary to enhance public safety by alleviating vehicular traffic delays caused by the Central Artery Connecter tunnel closure.

The Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) and its working groups will meet to discuss various issues relating to the training and fitness of merchant marine personnel. MERPAC advises the Secretary of Homeland Security on matters relating to the training, qualifications, licensing, and certification of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine. All meetings will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish safety zones throughout the Great Lakes. These zones are intended to restrict vessels from portions of the Great Lakes during live fire gun exercises that will be conducted by Coast Guard cutters and small boats. These safety zones are necessary to protect the public from the hazards associated with the firing of weapons.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Path Bridge, across the Hackensack River, mile 3.0, at Jersey City, New Jersey. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position every Saturday and Sunday from July 22, 2006 through September 18, 2006. This deviation is necessary to facilitate scheduled bridge maintenance.

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.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (FEMA-1649-DR), dated June 30, 2006, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the State of New York (FEMA-1650-DR), dated July 1, 2006, and related determinations.