Department of Homeland Security March 8, 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), 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 a proposed new information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the collection of information, which is necessary for assessment and improvement of the delivery of disaster assistance. The form serves as a survey tool used to evaluate customer perceptions of effectiveness, timeliness and satisfaction with FEMA Housing Inspection Services.

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

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).

Base (1% annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and modified 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).

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone around a blasting and dredging project near the Gulf Oil Terminal Berth in South Portland, Maine and around the M/V RELIANCE, while transporting blasting material to the work site. These safety zones are needed to protect persons, facilities, vessels and others in the maritime community from the safety hazards associated with this blasting and dredging project, which is being undertaken to increase the water depth of the Gulf Oil Terminal berth to 41 feet. Entry into this safety zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Northern New England.

The Coast Guard proposes updating the coordinates of the boundaries of the anchorages listed below from the former North American Datum 1927 (NAD 27) standard to the current North American Datum 1983 (NAD 83) standard. These changes will not affect the locations or size of the anchorages on the NOAA charts as published by NOAA. The proposed change simply updates the anchorage positions in 33 CFR part 110 to match the current datum in use on the applicable charts, which are NAD 83.

The Coast Guard proposes changing the boundaries of Hampton Roads Explosive Anchorage Golf in response to a widening of the Norfolk Entrance Reach by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) undertaken to improve deep draft vessel traffic maneuverability, and to remove the shallow water area in the Hampton Bar Flats from the boundaries of this deepwater anchorage.

This Notice alerts the public that the designation of Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) has been extended for 18 months to November 2, 2008, from its current expiration date of May 2, 2007. This Notice also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Sudan (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) with TPS to re-register and to apply for an extension of their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for the additional 18-month period. Re- registration is limited to persons who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Sudan and whose application has been granted or remains pending. Certain nationals of Sudan (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registrants, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes that re- registrants may not receive a new EAD until after their current EAD expires on May 2, 2007. Accordingly, this Notice automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Sudan for six months, through November 2, 2007, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended. New EADs with the November 2, 2008 expiration date will be issued to eligible TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for an EAD.