Department of Homeland Security January 29, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is temporarily changing the regulations that govern the operation of the U.S. 50 Bridge across the Isle of Wight Bay (Sinepuxent Bay), at mile 0.5, in Ocean City, MD. This closure is necessary to facilitate extensive rehabilitation and to maintain the bridge's operational integrity. Vessels that can pass under the bridge without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

DHS is announcing that it will issue guidance and accept applications for surface transportation security improvement grants and that applicants must submit the applications pursuant to procedures to be made available on or about February 1, 2008.

The Coast Guard published in the Federal Register of December 12, 2007, a final rule concerning changes to the operation for the State Route 23 vertical lift bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (Algiers Alternate Route), mile 3.8, at Belle Chasse, Louisiana. The document was inadvertently published under the same docket number as a previously published document. This document establishes the assignment of a new docket number for publication of the final rule.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership in the Area Maritime Security Committee, South Texas. The Committee assists the Captain of the Port, Corpus Christi, in developing, renewing, and updating the Area Maritime Security plan for their area of responsibility.

The Department of Homeland Security is establishing minimum standards for State-issued driver's licenses and identification cards that Federal agencies would accept for official purposes on or after May 11, 2008, in accordance with the REAL ID Act of 2005. This rule establishes standards to meet the minimum requirements of the REAL ID Act of 2005. These standards involve a number of aspects of the process used to issue identification documents, including: Information and security features that must be incorporated into each card; application information to establish the identity and immigration status of an applicant before a card can be issued; and physical security standards for facilities where driver's licenses and applicable identification cards are produced. This final rule also provides a process for States to seek an additional extension of the compliance deadline to May 11, 2011, by demonstrating material compliance with the core requirements of the Act and this rule. Finally, taking into consideration the operational burdens on State Departments of Motor Vehicles, this rule extends the enrollment time period to allow States determined by DHS to be in compliance with the Act to replace all licenses intended for official purpose with REAL ID-compliant cards by December 1, 2014 for people born after December 1, 1964, and by December 1, 2017 for those born on or before December 1, 1964.