Department of Homeland Security April 2009 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce the Portland Rose Festival Security Zone on the Willamette River from 1 p.m. on June 3, 2009, until 10 a.m. June 8, 2009. This action is necessary to ensure the safety and security of maritime traffic, including the public vessels present, on the Willamette River during the Portland Rose Festival. During the enforcement period, entry into the security zone detailed in 33 CFR 165.1312 is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Portland or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish moving security zones for certain vessels, for which the Captain of the Port, Houston- Galveston deems enhanced security measures necessary on a case-by-case basis. These moving security zones would extend 1,000 yards ahead and astern and 500 yards on each side of certain vessels, which would display the international signal flag or pennant number five to signal a security zone is established around the vessel. The moving security zone may commence at any point after certain vessels bound for the Port of Freeport enter the U.S. territorial waters (12 nautical miles) in the Captain of the Port (COTP) Houston-Galveston zone. These security zones are needed to safeguard the vessels, the public, and the surrounding area from sabotage or other subversive acts, accidents, or other events of a similar nature. Unless exempted under this rule, entry into or movement within these security zones would be prohibited without permission from the COTP Houston-Galveston.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, 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 new information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this Notice seeks comments concerning the National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System (NEFRLS) established in accordance with Title VI of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2007 to help facilitate the reunification of families displaced due to a major disaster or emergency

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Witt Penn Bridge across the Hackensack River at mile 3.1, and the Lower Hack Bridge at mile 3.4, across the Hackensack River, at Jersey City, New Jersey. Under this temporary deviation the Lower Hack Bridge will be allowed to provide a maximum opening of only 110 feet at mean high water for a period of 30-days and both bridges will be allowed to remain in the closed position for a period of 45-days to facilitate major bridge maintenance. Vessels that can pass under the draws without a bridge opening may do so at all times.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise the requirements for waterfront facilities handling liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquefied hazardous gas (LHG). The proposed revisions would bring the regulations up to date with existing industry practices and current Coast Guard policy implemented due to increased emphasis on security since the events of September 11, 2001. These revisions would harmonize the Coast Guard's regulations for LNG with those established by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the agency responsible for permitting onshore and near-shore LNG terminals. This proposed rulemaking would not affect LNG deepwater ports.

The Commander, First Coast Guard District, has issued a temporary deviation from the regulation governing the operation of the Wantagh State Parkway Bridge across Sloop Channel at mile 15.4, at Jones Beach, New York. Under this temporary deviation the bridge may operate on a limited operating schedule to facilitate the completion of bridge construction.

The Coast Guard requires each crewmember on a foreign commercial vessel en route to a U.S. port or place of destination or at a U.S. port or place, or on a U.S. commercial vessel coming from a foreign port or place of departure to a U.S. port or place of destination, to carry and present upon demand an acceptable identification when in U.S. navigable waters. The vessel operators are required to ensure that crewmembers comply with this requirement. This rule would implement a Maritime Transportation Security Act mandate and help ensure that the Coast Guard can authoritatively identify crewmembers on vessels in U.S. navigable waters.

The Coast Guard proposes a safety zone, on the navigable waters of the Lake Moolvalya region on the lower Colorado River in support of the Bluewater Resort and Casino `300' Enduro. This 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 document announces the commencement of the Broker Self- Assessment (BSA) Outreach Pilot (BSA Pilot). The BSA pilot is voluntary and is intended to be a partnership between U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and participating customs brokers. The primary goal of the pilot is to facilitate a higher level of broker compliance with CBP laws and regulations. In this regard, the BSA Pilot will allow for customs brokers to ascertain voluntarily with CBP how well they comply with their broker requirements, provide recognition and support to participating brokers, and facilitate legitimate trade so that CBP can focus on higher-risk trade enforcement issues. Under this program test, participating customs brokers will update and improve internal controls, perform periodic testing of these internal controls, and disclose to CBP deficiencies discovered through the testing. Any licensed customs broker, who is a member of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and who meets the other eligibility requirements of the pilot, may apply to participate. After closure of the application period and review of the applications received, CBP will select a limited number of customs brokers to participate in the BSA Pilot. This document sets forth information on the application process and the requirements for participation in the program test.

The Delaware River and Bay Oil Spill Advisory Committee (DRBOSAC) will meet in Philadelphia, PA to discuss various issues to improve oil spill prevention and response strategies for the Delaware River and Bay. This meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard seeks applications for membership on the Navigation Safety Advisory Council (NAVSAC). NAVSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretary on a wide range of issues related to the prevention of collisions, rammings, and groundings. This includes, but is not limited to: Inland and International Rules of the Road, navigation regulations and equipment, routing measures, marine information, diving safety, and aids to navigation systems.

The Commander, Ninth Coast Guard District, has approved a temporary deviation from the regulations governing the operation of the U.S. 41 (Sheldon Avenue) Lift Bridge, at Mile 16.0, across the Keweenaw Waterway, in Houghton, MI. Under this temporary deviation, the U.S. 41 (Sheldon Avenue) Lift Bridge will be allowed to remain in the closed- to-navigation position during specific dates and times. The deviation is necessary to perform reconstruction to the city streets that access the U.S. 41 (Sheldon Avenue) Lift Bridge.

The Coast Guard is proposing to update the rates for pilotage on the Great Lakes by 9.41%, effective August 1, 2009, to generate sufficient revenue to cover allowable expenses, target pilot compensation, and returns on investment. The proposed update reflects an August 1, 2009, increase in benchmark contractual wages and benefits, as well as an increase in the ratio of pilots to ``bridge hours.'' This rulemaking promotes the Coast Guard strategic goal of maritime safety.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay, CA at Berth 7 at the Port of Oakland during the offloading of the ZHEN HUA 18. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without the permission of the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation during the Volvo Ocean Race 2009 In-Port Race to be held on Broad Sound, off Nahant, Massachusetts, on May 9, 2009. This special local regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during the event. This proposed action is intended to restrict vessel traffic before, during and after the race.

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.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Indiana (FEMA-1828-DR), dated March 5, 2009, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of North Dakota (FEMA-1829-DR), dated March 24, 2009, and related determinations.

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.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has submitted the information collection abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission describes the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort and resources used by respondents to respond) and cost, and includes the actual data collection instruments FEMA will use.