Department of Homeland Security 2007 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

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).

This document amends U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect the extension of import restrictions on certain archaeological material from Guatemala which were imposed by Treasury Decision (T.D.) 97-81 and extended by T.D. 02-56. The Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, has determined that conditions continue to warrant the imposition of import restrictions. Accordingly, the restrictions will remain in effect for an additional 5 years, and the CBP regulations are being amended to indicate this second extension. These restrictions are being extended pursuant to determinations of the United States Department of State made under the terms of the Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act in accordance with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. T.D. 97-81 contains the Designated List of archaeological material that describes the articles to which the restrictions apply.

The Coast Guard is establishing temporary special local regulations for the ``Clarksville Hydroplane Challenge'', a power boat race to be held on the waters of the John H. Kerr Reservoir adjacent to Clarksville, Virginia. 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 John H. Kerr Reservoir adjacent to Clarksville, Virginia during the power boat race.

The Coast Guard is establishing special local regulations during the ``Poquoson Seafood Festival Workboat Races'', a marine event to be held October 14, 2007 on the waters of the Back River, Poquoson, Virginia. These special local regulations are necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This action is intended to temporarily restrict vessel traffic in a portion of the Back River during the event.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., (NEPA), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to identify and assess the potential impacts associated with a proposal to construct and operate tactical infrastructure along approximately 70 miles of the international border between the United States and Mexico within the Office of Border Patrol's (OBP's) Rio Grande Valley Sector, Texas (the Proposed Action). The purpose of the Proposed Action is to further CBP's ability to gain effective control of the border by denying pedestrian and other access in high priority sections of OBP's Rio Grande Valley Sector. CBP is the decision-making agency for the Proposed Action. Notice is hereby given that the public scoping process has been initiated to prepare an EIS that will address the impacts and alternatives of the Proposed Action. The purpose of the scoping process is to solicit public comments regarding the range of issues, including potential impacts and alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS.

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.

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 a proposed revised information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the long-term evaluation form used to evaluate all National Fire Academy (NFA) resident training.

This document adopts as final, with minor changes, a proposed interpretive rule regarding the criteria to be used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (``CBP'') to determine whether footwear is considered to be ``commonly worn by both sexes'' (unisex) for tariff classification purposes under Heading 6403 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (``HTSUS'') that was published in the Federal Register on July 24, 2006. The rates of duty applicable to footwear ``For other persons'' (i.e., ``unisex'') are about 1.5 percent higher than the rates of duty applicable to footwear ``For men, youths and boys.'' The criteria set forth in this document will promote uniformity in the classification of subject footwear, thereby ensuring that proper duties are collected.

The Department of Homeland Security, through the U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), announces the availability of the working specification for Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) biometric readers and the TWIC contactless smart card application. This specification is based on recommendations to the Coast Guard and TSA from the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC); comments from the public following publication of the NMSAC recommendations and request for comment; and, the government's review of the NMSAC recommendations and comments received. The working specification is available to review at www.tsa.gov/twic and at https://dms.dot.gov in docket USCG-2007-27415.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Oklahoma (FEMA-1712-DR), dated July 7, 2007, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of North Dakota (FEMA-1726-DR), dated September 7, 2007, and related determinations.

This document amends U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) regulations to reflect both continuing and new import restrictions on certain archaeological material from Mali. Import restrictions that were previously imposed by Treasury Decision (T.D.) 97-80 and extended by T.D. 02-55, that are due to expire on September 19, 2007, are extended. The Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, has made the requisite determination for the extension of import restrictions that previously existed and for amending the agreement so that it applies also to material from archaeological sites throughout Mali, including those of the Paleolithic Era (Stone Age), necessitating additional subcategories of stone objects in the Designated List. Accordingly, these import restrictions will remain in effect until September 19, 2012, and title 19 of the CBP regulations is being amended to reflect this amended bilateral agreement. These restrictions are being extended pursuant to determinations of the United States Department of State made under the terms of the 1970 Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act in accordance with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. This document also contains the amended Designated List of Archaeological Material that describes the articles to which the restrictions apply, including the additional subcategories of stone objects.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for the Sunset Lake Hydrofest on Sunset Lake from 8:30 a.m. September 29, 2007 through 5:30 p.m. September 30, 2007. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. During the enforcement period, vessel traffic will be restricted in portions of Sunset Lake during the event.

Under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (Pub. L. 92-463), the Secretary of Homeland Security has renewed the charter for the Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) for 2 years from August 17, 2007, until August 17, 2009. CTAC is a Federal advisory committee under 5 U.S.C. App. 2 (Pub. L. 92-463, 86 Stat. 770). This Committee advises the Coast Guard on safe and secure transportation and handling of hazardous materials in bulk on U.S.-flag vessels and barges in U.S. ports and waterways.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the National Offshore Safety Advisory Committee (NOSAC). NOSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters affecting the offshore industry.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the State of Ohio (FEMA-1720-DR), dated August 27, 2007, and related determinations.

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).

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-1709-DR), dated June 29, 2007, and related determinations.

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).

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of New York (FEMA-1724-DR), dated August 31, 2007, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Ohio (FEMA-1720-DR), dated August 27, 2007, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the State of Minnesota (FEMA-1717-DR), dated August 23, 2007, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the State of Wisconsin (FEMA-1719-DR), dated August 26, 2007, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of New York (FEMA-1724-DR), dated August 31, 2007, and related determinations.

This interim rule amends Department of Homeland Security regulations to establish the requirements and procedures for aliens seeking U nonimmigrant status. The U nonimmigrant classification is available to alien victims of certain criminal activity who assist government officials in investigating or prosecuting such criminal activity. The purpose of the U nonimmigrant classification is to strengthen the ability of law enforcement agencies to investigate and prosecute such crimes as domestic violence, sexual assault, and trafficking in persons, while offering protection to alien crime victims in keeping with the humanitarian interests of the United States. This interim rule outlines the eligibility and application requirements for the U nonimmigrant classification and the benefits and limitations relating to those granted U nonimmigrant status. This interim rule also amends existing regulations to include U nonimmigrants among the nonimmigrant status holders able to seek a waiver of documentary requirements to gain admission to the United States, and to permit nonimmigrants to change status to that of a U nonimmigrant where applicable. This rule also establishes a filing fee for U nonimmigrant petitions. Aliens who have been granted interim relief from USCIS are encouraged to file for U nonimmigrant status within 180 days of the effective date of this interim rule. USCIS will no longer issue interim relief upon the effective date of this rule; however, if the alien has properly filed a petition for U nonimmigrant status, but USCIS has not yet adjudicated that petition, interim relief will be extended until USCIS completes its adjudication of the petition.