Department of Homeland Security April 8, 2008 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of Homeland Security has determined, pursuant to law, that it is necessary to waive certain laws, regulations and other legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the international land border of the United States. The notice of determination was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2008. Due to a publication error, the description of the Project Areas was inadvertently omitted from the April 3 publication. For clarification purposes, this document is a republication of the April 3 document including the omitted description of the Project Areas.

Currently, foreign students in F-1 nonimmigrant status who have been enrolled on a full-time basis for at least one full academic year in a college, university, conservatory, or seminary certified by U.S. Immigration and Custom Enforcement's (ICE's) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) are eligible for 12 months of optional practical training (OPT) to work for a U.S. employer in a job directly related to the student's major area of study. This interim final rule extends the maximum period of OPT from 12 months to 29 months for F-1 students who have completed a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) degree and accept employment with employers enrolled in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS') E-Verify employment verification program. This interim rule requires F-1 students with an approved OPT extension to report changes in the student's name or address and changes in the employer's name or address as well as periodically verify the accuracy of this reporting information. The rule also requires the employers of F-1 students with an extension of post-completion OPT authorization to report to the student's designated school official (DSO) within 48 hours after the OPT student has been terminated from, or otherwise leaves, his or her employment with that employer prior to end of the authorized period of OPT. This rule also ameliorates the so-called ``cap-gap'' problem by extending the authorized period of stay for all F-1 students who have a properly filed H-1B petition and change of status request (filed under the cap for the next fiscal year) pending with USCIS. If USCIS approves the H-1B petition, the students will have an extension that enables them to remain in the United States until the requested start date indicated in the H-1B petition takes effect. This interim final rule also implements a programmatic change to allow students to apply for OPT within 60 days of concluding their studies.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone within the Lake Moolvalya region on the navigable waters of the Colorado River in Parker, Arizona for the Bluewater Resort and Casino American Powerboat Association (APBA) National Tour/Regional Championship. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, sponsor vessels of the race, and general users of the waterway. Persons and vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring within this safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, or his designation representative.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the Rock Island Railroad and Highway Drawbridge, across the Upper Mississippi River, Mile 482.9, Rock Island, Illinois. The deviation is necessary as the drawbridge is part of the annual route for the Quad Cities Heart Walk. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to navigation position during that event.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC). This Committee advises the Coast Guard on matters related to the training, qualification, licensing, certification, and fitness of seamen serving in the U.S. merchant marine.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) and Analysis to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0015, Bridge Permit Application Guide (BPAG). Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) and Analysis to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0018, Official Logbook. Before submitting this ICR to OMB, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.