Department of Homeland Security March 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

On October 4, 2007, The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published an interim rule in the Federal Register at 72 FR 56832, establishing rules necessary for the ratification and implementation of the Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, signed at The Hague on May 29, 1993 (``Convention''). The comment period ended December 3, 2007. Of the 54 comments received by DHS, most requested an extension of the comment period to allow sufficient time to provide meaningful and substantive comments. DHS is re-opening and extending the comment period for 60 days until May 27, 2008.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish special local regulations for the ``William I. Koch International Sea Scout Cup'', a sailboat regatta to be held on the waters of the Severn River, 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 the Severn River adjacent to the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland during the sailboat regatta.

As required by statute, the Coast Guard has reviewed and is updating the rates for pilotage service on the Great Lakes for the 2008 navigation season. We are increasing pilotage rates an average 8.17% over the last ratemaking that was completed in September 2007. This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard strategic goals of maritime safety, protection of natural resources, maritime security, and maritime mobility.

The Coast Guard announces that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in the ports of Iran and that it will impose conditions of entry on vessels arriving from that country.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Tennessee (FEMA-1745-DR), dated February 7, 2008, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Illinois (FEMA-1747-DR), dated March 7, 2008, and related determinations.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a temporary regulated navigation area (RNA) on the waters of Oregon Inlet, NC. The regulated navigation area (RNA) is needed to minimize the risk of potential structural damage to the Herbert C. Bonner Bridge during fender repair work. This rule will enhance the safety of vessels transiting the area and vehicles crossing over the bridge during periods of reduced horizontal clearance in the main navigation channel.

The United States Coast Guard is requesting individuals who are interested in serving on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (NMSAC) to apply for appointment/reappointment. NMSAC provides advice and makes recommendations on national maritime security matters to the Secretary of Homeland Security via the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard.

This rule identifies communities, where the sale of flood insurance has been authorized under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), that are scheduled for suspension on the effective dates listed within this rule because of noncompliance with the floodplain management requirements of the program. If the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) receives documentation that the community has adopted the required floodplain management measures prior to the effective suspension date given in this rule, the suspension will not occur and a notice of this will be provided by publication in the Federal Register on a subsequent date.

The Coast Guard is establishing a regulated navigation area (RNA) on the waters of the Cape Fear River, Wilmington, NC. This action is necessary to minimize the potential risk of allision to the USS NORTH CAROLINA, a United States Navy submarine, while moored at the North Carolina State Port, Wilmington, NC. This rule will enhance the safety of vessels transiting this area of the Cape Fear River during the period of reduced horizontal clearance.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) invites the general public to comment on new data collection forms for the Protected Repository for the Defense of Infrastructure Against Cyber Threats (PREDICT) initiative. The PREDICT initiative facilitates the accessibility of computer and network operational data for use in cyber defense research and development through the establishment of distributed repositories of security-relevant network operations data, and the application procedures, protection policies, and review processes necessary to make this data available to the cyber defense research community. The forms will allow the PREDICT initiative to provide a central repository, accessible through a Web-based portal () that catalogs current computer network operational data, provide secure access to multiple sources of data collected as a result of use and traffic on the Internet, and facilitate data flow among PREDICT participants for the purpose of developing new models, technologies and products that support effective threat assessment and increase cyber security capabilities. The Department is committed to improving its PREDICT initiative and invites interested persons to comment on the following forms and instructions (hereinafter ``Forms Package'') for the PREDICT initiative: (1) Account Request Form (DHS Form 10029); (2) Add a New Dataset Form (DHS Form 10030); (3) Annotate Dataset Form (DHS Form 10031); (4) Request a Dataset Form (DHS Form 10032); (5) Update Host Data Form (DHS Form 10033); (6) Update Provider Data Form (DHS Form 10034); (7) Memorandum of AgreementPREDICT (PCC) Coordinating Center and Researcher/User (DHS Form 10035); (8) Memorandum of AgreementPCC and Data Provider (DP)(DHS Form 10036); (9) Memorandum of AgreementPCC and Data Host (DH)(DHS Form 10037); (10) Authorization Letter for Data Host (DHS Form 10038); (11) Authorization Letter for Data Provider (DHS Form 10039); (12) Sponsorship Letter (DHS Form 10040); (13) Notice of Dataset Access/ Application Expiration (DHS Form 10041); (14) Certificate of Data Destruction (DHS Form 10042). This notice and request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

This Notice provides guidelines that describe the application process for grants and the criteria for awarding grants in the 2008 Assistance to Firefighters Grant program year, as well as an explanation for any differences with the guidelines recommended by representatives of the Nation's fire service leadership during the annual Criteria Development meeting. The program makes grants directly to fire departments and nonaffiliated emergency medical services organizations for the purpose of enhancing first-responders' abilities to protect the health and safety of the public as well as that of first-responder personnel facing fire and fire-related hazards. In addition, the authorizing statute requires that a minimum of 5 percent of appropriated funds be expended for fire prevention and safety grants, which are also made directly to local fire departments and to local, regional, State or national entities recognized for their expertise in the field of fire prevention and firefighter safety research and development.

The Coast Guard is establishing a permanent security zone around the U.S. Forces vessel SBX-1 during transits within the Honolulu Captain of the Port Zone. This zone is necessary to protect the SBX-1 from threats associated with vessels and persons approaching too close during transit. Entry of persons or vessels into this security zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP).

The Coast Guard proposes to change the regulation governing the operation of the SR 316 Blue Bayou Pontoon Bridge across the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, mile 49.8, near Houma, Lafourche Parish, Louisiana. Currently the bridge opens on signal, but due to high vehicular traffic and school bus traffic Lafourche Parish requested this change. The proposed rule will require the draw of the bridge to open on signal except during the regular school year on Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved an additional temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the new Woodrow Wilson Memorial (I-95) Bridge, mile 103.8, across Potomac River between Alexandria, Virginia and Oxon Hill, Maryland. While construction continues, this added deviation allows the drawbridge to remain closed-to-navigation each day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning March 2, 2008 until and including May 30, 2008.

This amendment clarifies that E-2 Visa (Treaty Investor) holders are eligible for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), and corrects an error in the final rule published on January 25, 2007 72 FR 4392. The amendment adds the E-2 Visa as one of the permissible visa categories for TWIC applicants. Holders of E-2 Visas were explicitly listed as eligible to hold a TWIC in the preamble of the rule, and therefore, this revision carries out the intent of the rule.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issues this notice of the date for the beginning of the initial enrollment for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) for the Port of Bangor, ME.

The Coast Guard hereby establishes three special anchorage areas in Yarmouth, Maine, Casco Bay. This action is necessary to facilitate safe navigation in that area and provide safe and secure anchorages for vessels not more than 65 feet in length. This action is intended to increase the safety of life and property in Yarmouth, improve the safety of anchored vessels, and provide for the overall safe and efficient flow of vessel traffic and commerce.

The purpose of this notice is to inform the public that the Coast Guard has recertified the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) as an alternative voluntary advisory group for Prince William Sound, Alaska. This certification allows the PWSRCAC to monitor the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Prince William Sound Program established by statute.

The Coast Guard is changing the regulation governing the operation of the State Route 433 (S433) Bridge across Liberty Bayou, mile 2.0, at Slidell, St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana and cancelling the test deviation presently in effect for this bridge. This change is being made in order to reduce the hours of manned operation of the bridge to make more efficient use of personnel and operating resources.

The Commander, Fifth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the Margate Bridge, at ICW mile 74.0, across Beach Thorofare at Margate, New Jersey. This deviation is necessary to make emergency structural steel repairs.

Each year the tariff-rate quota for tuna described in subheading 1604.14.22, HTSUS, is based on the apparent United States consumption of tuna in airtight containers during the preceding Calendar Year. This document sets forth the tariff-rate quota for Calendar Year 2008.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a 300 foot radius safety zone around a fireworks display for the Roanoke Bible College occurring on April 4, 2008 on the Pasquotank River, Elizabeth City, NC. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic on the Pasquotank River. This safety zone is necessary to protect mariners from the hazards associated with firework displays.