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

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.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-1780-DR), dated July 24, 2008, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois (FEMA-1771-DR), dated June 24, 2008, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-1780-DR), dated July 24, 2008, and related determinations.

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.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Wisconsin (FEMA-1768-DR), dated June 14, 2008, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Indiana (FEMA-1766-DR), dated June 8, 2008, and related determinations.

The Coast Guard proposes establishment of four safety zones to protect infrastructure and marine traffic from the hazards associated with recurring space vehicle launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS). The safety zones extend from the shoreline to points approximately 12 nautical miles offshore and will only be activated and enforced during pre-launch hours and terminate approximately 15 minutes after a successful launch. This action is necessary to protect marine traffic from the hazards associated with the launching of space vehicles; expedite notification to the public of such launches and also reduce the administrative workload of the Coast Guard.

The USCG announces the availability of the draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Coast Guard modernization. Through this modernization effort, the USCG intends to update its command structure, support systems, and business practices to position itself for sustainable and effective mission execution into the twenty-first century. The Draft PEA is an important document informing these efforts, and we request public input into the Draft PEA for more fully informed decision making during this process.

This Notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security has extended the designation of Sudan for temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months, from its current expiration date of November 2, 2008 through May 2, 2010. This Notice also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Sudan (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) with TPS to re-register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and to apply for an extension of their employment authorization documents (EADs) for the additional 18-month period. Re-registration is limited to persons who have previously registered for TPS under the designation of Sudan and whose applications have been granted or remain pending. Certain nationals of Sudan (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Sudan) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recognizes the possibility that all re-registrants may not receive new EADs until after their current EADs expire on November 2, 2008. Accordingly, this Notice automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Sudan for six months, through May 2, 2009, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended. USCIS will issue new EADs with the May 2, 2010 expiration date to eligible TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs.

The Cape Fear Dragon Boat Festival will take place on the Cape Fear River in Wilmington, North Carolina on September 27, 2008. This event will consist of four 45 foot long Dragon boats racing a 250 meter course.

This notice announces that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval of an extension of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act. The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. TSA published a Federal Register notice, with a 60-day comment period soliciting comments, of the following collection of information on June 06, 2008, 73 FR 32346. The collection requires TSA to conduct a security threat assessment on all aliens and designated individuals seeking flight instruction (``candidates'') from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)-certified flight training providers. Additionally, flight training providers are required to conduct a security awareness program for their employees, and to maintain records associated with this training.

The Chemical Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC), its Subcommittees on Outreach, National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)472 Standard, Hazardous Cargo Transportation Security (HCTS), and International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code; as well as its Working Groups on Barge Emission and Hazard Communication and the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) Annex; will meet to discuss various issues relating to the marine transportation of hazardous materials in bulk. These meetings will be open to the public.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this request for comments announces that the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) requesting an extension of their approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0011, Applications for Private Aids to Navigation and for Class I Private Aids to Navigation on Artificial Islands/Fixed Structures. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

This interim rule lists communities where modification of the Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs) is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. New flood insurance premium rates will be calculated from the modified BFEs 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.

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.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the State of Minnesota (FEMA-1772-DR), dated June 25, 2008, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-1780-DR), dated July 24, 2008, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Illinois (FEMA-1771-DR), dated June 24, 2008, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Indiana (FEMA-1766-DR), dated June 8, 2008, and related determinations.

The Coast Guard is changing the drawbridge operation regulations of the S117-S133 Bridge, at mile 1.5, across Smith Creek at Wilmington, NC. This action will allow that the draw need not be opened for the passage of vessels.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Route 36 Bridge, across the Shrewsbury River, mile 1.8, at Highlands, New Jersey. This deviation will test a change to the drawbridge operation schedule to determine whether a permanent change to the schedule is needed. This deviation will allow the bridge to open on signal for all marine traffic once an hour on the hour between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on weekends and holidays.

The Coast Guard is establishing safety zones for annual events in the Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. This rule consolidates current regulations establishing safety zones for annual fireworks events in the former Captain of the Port Toledo Zone and the former Captain of the Port Detroit Zone. In addition, it adds events not previously published in Coast Guard regulations. These safety zones are necessary to protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with fireworks displays or other events.