Department of Homeland Security November 4, 2011 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of New York (FEMA-4031-DR), dated September 13, 2011, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Texas (FEMA-4029-DR), dated September 9, 2011, and related determinations.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science & Technology (S&T) Directorate invites the general public to comment on data collection forms for the External S&T Collaboration Site (E-STCS) program. E-STCS is responsible for providing a collaborative environment for practitioners from first responders, academia, organizations, law enforcement, and the private sector. This clearinghouse will enable its users to share information, best practices and lessons learned within a secure collaborative environment. Registration information will be collected only when needed for users who require further access beyond the E-STCS landing page. In order for a user to access this clearinghouse, he/she must complete a Registration Form to establish a user account. Initially, this will be accomplished by the sponsor contacting the user for their information. As the site matures, the information will be collected via an online Web form. The information collected is used by the DHS S&T E- STCS program to determine the authenticity and suitability of the practitioner requesting access. Once approved, users will utilize the collaborative environment to exchange information, network with other users, as well as post blogs and comments. The DHS invites interested persons to comment on the following form and instructions (hereinafter ``Forms Package'') for the S&T E-STCS: Request an E-STCS Account (DHS Form 10074). Interested persons may receive a copy of the Forms Package by contacting the DHS S&T PRA Coordinator. This notice and request for comments is required by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13, 44 U.S.C. chapter 35).

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.

This Notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) has extended the designation of Nicaragua for temporary protected status (TPS) for 18 months from its current expiration date of January 5, 2012 through July 5, 2013. The Secretary has determined that an extension is warranted because the conditions in Nicaragua that prompted the TPS designation continue to be met. There continues to be a substantial, but temporary, disruption of living conditions in Nicaragua resulting from Hurricane Mitch, and Nicaragua remains unable, temporarily, to handle adequately the return of its nationals. This Notice also sets forth procedures necessary for nationals of Nicaragua (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) with TPS to re-register and to apply for an extension of their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) (Forms I-766) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Re-registration is limited to persons who previously registered for TPS under the designation of Nicaragua and whose applications have been granted or remain pending. Certain nationals of Nicaragua (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Nicaragua) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to apply under the late initial registration provisions. USCIS will issue new EADs with a July 5, 2013 expiration date to eligible Nicaraguan TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. Given the timeframes involved with processing TPS re-registration applications, DHS recognizes that all re-registrants may not receive new EADs until after their current EADs expire on January 5, 2012. Accordingly, this Notice automatically extends the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Nicaragua for 6 months, through July 5, 2012, and explains how TPS beneficiaries and their employers may determine which EADs are automatically extended and their impact on Form I-9 and E-Verify processes.