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

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the establishment of the Critical Infrastructure Partnership Advisory Council (CIPAC) by notice published in the Federal Register on March 24, 2006. See 71 FR 14930. That notice identified the purpose of CIPAC as well as its membership. This notice provides (i) a brief description of the CIPAC purpose, composition, and structure; (ii) notice of the Secretary's renewal of the CIPAC Charter; and (iii) instructions for obtaining the CIPAC membership roster and other information on the Council and its activities.

This notice informs the public that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Critical Manufacturing as an additional critical infrastructure sector under the National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) and, as part of a comprehensive national review process, solicits public comment on the actions necessary to incorporate this sector into the NIPP framework.

This document provides notice that the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has issued a final determination concerning the country of origin of certain stereoscopic display models to be offered to the United States Government under an undesignated government procurement contract. CBP has concluded that, based upon the facts presented, the operations performed in the United States result in a substantial transformation of the goods. Therefore, the country of origin of the stereoscopic display models is the United States for purposes of U.S. Government procurement.

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 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 continuing information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the need to conduct a continuous evaluation of emergency management training programs as it relates to the knowledge and skills gained by participants through various courses.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Arkansas (FEMA-1751-DR), dated March 26, 2008, and related determinations.

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 continuing information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the need to continue collecting information from individuals and States in order to provide and/or administer disaster assistance through the Federal Assistance to Individuals and Households Program (IHP).

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 19 CFR 151.13, Intertek USA, Inc., 139 Castle Coakley Suite 8, St. Croix, VI 00820, has been approved to gauge petroleum, petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils for customs purposes, in accordance with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.13. Anyone wishing to employ this entity to conduct gauger services should request and receive written assurances from the entity that it is approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct the specific gauger service requested. Alternatively, inquires regarding the specific gauger service this entity is approved to perform may be directed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling (202) 344-1060. The inquiry may also be sent to cbp.labhq@dhs.gov. Please reference the Web site listed below for a complete listing of CBP approved gaugers and accredited laboratories. https://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/operations support/labsscientificsvcs/commercialgaugers/.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the P.J. McArdle Bridge across the Chelsea River, mile 0.3, between Chelsea and East Boston, Massachusetts. This deviation is necessary to facilitate the annual Chelsea River Revel and 5K Road Race. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed position during the running of the 5K Road Race. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend special local regulations for annual regattas and marine parades in the Captain of the Port Detroit zone. This proposed rule is intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and immediately after regattas or marine parades. This proposed rule will establish restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in a specified area immediately prior to, during, and immediately after regattas or marine parades.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to establish an exit program at all air and sea ports of departure in the United States. This proposed rule would require aliens who are subject to United States Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology Program (US-VISIT) biometric requirements upon entering the United States to provide biometric information to commercial air and vessel carriers before departing from the United States at air and sea ports of entry. This rule proposes a performance standard for commercial air and vessel carriers to collect the biometric information and to submit this information to DHS no later than 24 hours after air carrier staff secure the aircraft doors on an international departure, or for sea travel, no later than 24 hours after the vessel's departure from a U.S. port. DHS does not propose to apply these requirements to persons departing the United States on certain private carriers or small carriers as defined herein. The exit system proposed under this rule meets the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission Report and the requirements of section 711 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a safety zone on the Back River in the vicinity of Hampton, VA in support of the Air Power over Hampton Roads Air show. This action is intended to restrict vessel traffic movement on the Back River to protect mariners from the hazards associated with the air show.

The Departmental Advisory Committee on Commercial Operations of U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Related Homeland Security Functions (popularly known as ``COAC'') will meet on May 9, 2008, in Washington, DC. The meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Opening Day on San Francisco Bay special local regulation from 11:59 a.m. to 2 p.m. on April 27, 2008. This action is necessary to control vessel traffic and to ensure the safety of event participants and spectators. During the enforcement period, no spectator or vessel shall anchor, block, loiter, nor impede the through transit of participants or official patrol vessels, in the regulated areas during all applicable dates and times, unless cleared to do so by or through an official patrol vessel.

The Coast Guard proposes a safety zone, on the navigable waters of San Diego Bay in support of the Festival of Sail 2008 Ship's Parade. This temporary safety zone is necessary to provide for the safety of the participants, crew, spectators, participating vessels, and other vessels and 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 designated representative.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Arkansas (FEMA-1751-DR), dated March 26, 2008, and related determinations.

Notice is hereby given that, pursuant to 19 CFR 151.13, Inspectorate America Corporation, Plot 49 Castle Coakley St., Christiansted, St. Croix, VI 00820, has been approved to gauge petroleum, petroleum products, organic chemicals and vegetable oils for customs purposes, in accordance with the provisions of 19 CFR 151.13. Anyone wishing to employ this entity to conduct gauger services should request and receive written assurances from the entity that it is approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to conduct the specific gauger service requested. Alternatively, inquires regarding the specific gauger service this entity is approved to perform may be directed to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling (202) 344-1060. The inquiry may also be sent to cbp.labhq@dhs.gov. Please reference the Web site listed below for a complete listing of CBP approved gaugers and accredited laboratories.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to amend the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) school certification petition fee and the application fee for nonimmigrants seeking to become academic (F visa) or vocational (M visa) students, or exchange visitors (J visa). This proposed rule would adjust the fees for schools seeking to admit F or M students; adjust the fees paid by individual F, M or J nonimmigrants; implement mandatory review of fees collected by SEVP; set the fee for submitting a school certification petition at $1700, plus $655 for each site; set the fee for each F or M student at $200; for most J exchange visitors at $180; and for exchange visitors seeking admission as au pairs, camp counselors, and summer work/travel program participants at $35. DHS proposes to make this rule effective at the beginning of fiscal year 2009, on October 1, 2008. DHS proposes also to establish oversight and recertification of schools for attendance by F or M students. The proposed rule would establish procedures for schools to submit their recertification petitions, add a provision allowing a school to voluntarily withdraw from its certification, and clarify procedures for school operation with regard to F or M students during recertification and following a denial of recertification or a withdrawal of certification. Further, the proposed rule would remove obsolete provisions used prior to implementation of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a Web-enabled database that provides current information on F, M and J nonimmigrants in the United States.

The Department of Homeland Security, Office of the Secretary, Office of Policy, Private Sector Office will submit this reinstatement without change for the following information collection request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35). The Private Sector Office is soliciting comments concerning the reinstatement without change to a previously approved information collection, Welcome to the United States Survey. DHS previously published this information collection request (ICR) in the Federal Register on January 31, 2008 at 73 FR 5861, for a 60-day public comment period. No comments were received by DHS. The purpose of this notice is to allow additional 30-days for public comments.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the Cass Street Drawbridge, across the Illinois Waterway, Mile 288.1, at Joliet, Illinois. The deviation is necessary for the bridge to remain closed to navigation during the effective period for the Joliet City Center Partnership 8K Run.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Arkansas (FEMA-1751-DR), dated March 26, 2008, and related determinations.

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.

Comments are requested on the proposed Base (1 percent annual- chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) and proposed BFE modifications for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the proposed regulatory flood elevations for the reach described by the downstream and upstream locations in the table below. The BFEs and modified BFEs are a part of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, these elevations, once finalized, will be used by insurance agents, and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents in those buildings.