Department of Homeland Security February 20, 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is extending the duration of a temporary safety zone surrounding an underwater object located approximately 17 miles northeast of Scituate, Massachusetts in Massachusetts Bay. This action is necessary to ensure that vessels are not endangered by dredging, diving, salvage, anchoring, fishing or other activities in this area. This temporary rulemaking is needed to protect the environment, the commercial fishing industry, and the general public from potential hazards associated with the underwater object.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Screening Requirements for Carriers. This is a proposed extension of an information collection that was previously approved. CBP is proposing that this information collection be extended with no change to the burden hours. This document is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. This proposed information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (73 FR 76672) on December 17, 2008, allowing for a 60-day comment period. This notice allows for an additional 30 days for public comments. This process is conducted in accordance with 5 CFR 1320.10.

The Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operations of the Southern Railroad Drawbridge across the Tennessee River, mile 304.4, at Decatur, Alabama. The deviation is necessary to allow time for conducting needed maintenance and repairs to the bridge. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed to navigation position and not open to vessel traffic.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Upper Hack Bridge across the Hackensack River, mile 6.9, at Secaucus, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may remain in the closed position for two days to facilitate bridge maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draw without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Coast Guard proposes to change the drawbridge operation regulations of the Figure Eight Swing Bridge, at AIWW mile 278.1, at Scotts Hill, NC. This proposal would allow for the drawbridge to open on signal every hour on the half hour for the passage of pleasure vessels. At all times, the draw will continue to open on signal for commercial vessels. The proposed change would result in more efficient use of the bridge.