Department of Homeland Security May 2013 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard will enforce the safety zones listed in this notice for fireworks displays in the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port Zone from May 2013 until October 2013. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of the crews onboard the vessels displaying the fireworks, the maritime public, and all other observers. During the enforcement period for each specific safety zone, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the safety zone without permission of the Sector Columbia River Captain of the Port or his designated representatives.

New or modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations) as shown on the indicated Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for each of the communities listed in the table below are finalized. Each LOMR revises the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and in some cases the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, currently in effect for the listed communities. The flood hazard determinations modified by each LOMR will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is withdrawing its proposed rule concerning proposed flood elevation determinations for Greene County, Pennsylvania (All Jurisdictions).

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is withdrawing its proposed rule concerning proposed flood elevation determinations for Beaver County, Pennsylvania (All Jurisdictions).

New or modified Base (1% annual-chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations) as shown on the indicated Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) for each of the communities listed in the table below are finalized. Each LOMR revises the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and in some cases the Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, currently in effect for the listed communities. The flood hazard determinations modified by each LOMR will be used to calculate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and their contents.

Comments are requested on proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of any Base Flood Elevation (BFE), base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports for the communities listed in the table below. The purpose of this notice is to seek general information and comment regarding the preliminary FIRM, and where applicable, the FIS report that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has provided to the affected communities. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that the community is required either to adopt or to show evidence of having in effect in order to qualify or remain qualified for participation in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, the FIRM and FIS report, once effective, will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents of those buildings.

A working group of the Merchant Marine Personnel Advisory Committee (MERPAC) will meet to work on Task Statement 83, entitled ``Development of competency requirements to meet the provisions of Table A-III/2 of the Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (1978), as amended (STCW), for personnel working on small vessels with high horsepower.'' This meeting will be open to the public.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the Illinois River from Mile Marker 231.0 to Mile Marker 271.4. This zone is intended to place restrictions on vessels due to the salvage and port recovery operations in this part of the Illinois River, and the potential structural concerns regarding the Marseilles Dam. This safety zone is necessary to protect the general public, vessels, and tows from the hazards associated with salvage and port recovery operations and the potential catastrophic failure of the Marseilles Dam.

The Coast Guard proposes to establish a special local regulation on the waters of Bahia de Ponce in Ponce, Puerto Rico during the Cruce a Nado Internacional de la Bahia de Ponce Puerto Rico, a swimming event. The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, September 1, 2013. Approximately 100 swimmers are anticipated to participate in the event, and no spectator vessels are anticipated to be present. The special local regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States during the event. The special local regulation establishes a swim area, where all persons and vessels, except those participating in the race or vessels patrolling the swim area, will be prohibited from entering, transiting through, anchoring in, or remaining within the area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Andean Trade Preferences Act. 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 information collection was previously published in the Federal Register (78 FR 15031) on March 8, 2013, 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 Coast Guard proposes a permanent regulated navigation area (RNA), enforcement of which would take place only during times when a tsunami warning is issued for the Hawaiian Islands by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center. Tsunami warnings require the evacuation of a large number of vessels from their respective harbors. Following the evacuation, these vessels must remain offshore until the emergency situation has passed and the harbors have been deemed safe for re- entry. Past tsunami warnings have created potentially dangerous offshore traffic congestion between commercial and recreational vessel traffic. Because of this, designated vessel traffic staging areas are necessary for a safe and orderly evacuation of Southern Oahu ports.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the Department of Homeland Security will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act: Ship's Stores Declaration (CBP Form 1303). 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 (78 FR 15031) on March 8, 2013, 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 Coast Guard announces that International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolution MEPC.203(62) amended Annex VI to the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL). On July 15, 2011, the IMO formally adopted Resolution MEPC.203(62), which entered into force on January 1, 2013, and amends MARPOL Annex VI by adding Chapter 4 and amending existing regulations in Annex VI. These amendments require the issuance of an International Energy Efficiency Certificate and the preparation of a Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan for both new and existing ships. To obtain the certificate, (1) new ships, (2) new ships when they undergo a major conversion, and (3) existing ships that undergo a major conversion after January 1, 2013, so extensive that it is regarded as a newly constructed ship, must first have an Attained Energy Efficiency Design Index. These requirements apply to all U.S. flag ships 400 gross tonnage and above that engage in voyages to ports or offshore terminals under the jurisdiction of other Parties to MARPOL. The Coast Guard Office of Commercial Vessel Compliance has issued Policy Letter 13-02 to provide amplifying guidance on U.S. implementation of MARPOL Annex VI Chapter 4 and associated requirements.

The Coast Guard is extending the comment period for the notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) published March 22, 2013, entitled ``Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)Reader Requirements'' for 30 days. This extension of the comment period is designed to accommodate requests from the public for more time to review the proposed rule and associated analysis.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise the operating schedule that governs the Winneconne Highway Bridge at Mile 2.4, and the Canadian National Railroad Bridge at mile 27.8, both over the Wolf River. A review of the current regulation was requested by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WDOT) and the Canadian National Railroad.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Kansas (FEMA-4112-DR), dated April 26, 2013, and related determinations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announces the availability of the Final Record of Decision (ROD) for the Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Northern Border Activities (PEIS). The release of this Final ROD concludes a process of assessment of the potential for CBP activities to affect the environment along the northern border and recommends what measures CBP anticipates it will routinely consider to reduce the potential for environmental harm from its actions. CBP is also making certain technical corrections to the PEIS to ensure that it accurately describes CBP activities and the preparation of the PEIS itself. This notice describes those technical corrections.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (FEMA-4110-DR), dated April 19, 2013, and related determinations.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of an emergency for the State of North Dakota (FEMA-3364-EM), dated April 26, 2013, and related determinations.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Navy Pier Southeast Safety Zone in Chicago Harbor during specified periods from May 25, 2013, through June 29, 2013. This action is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters of the United States immediately prior to, during, and immediately after fireworks events. Enforcement of this safety zone will establish restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in a specified area immediately prior to, during, and immediately after various fireworks events. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port, Lake Michigan.

The Coast Guard will enforce the Special Local Regulation for the annual National Maritime Week Tugboat Races in Elliott Bay, WA from 12 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. on May 11, 2013. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of all participants and spectators from the inherent dangers associated with these types of races which includes large wakes. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter or remain in the regulated area except for participants in the event, supporting personnel, vessels registered with the event organizer, and personnel or vessels authorized by the Coast Guard Patrol Commander.

DNDO announces the National Radiological and Nuclear Detection (Rad/Nuc) Challenge, a participation challenge being conducted under the America Competes Reauthorization Act, for state, local, and tribal law enforcement, other first responders, public safety officials, and Civil Support Team members.

In accordance with Coast Guard regulations, Martin Operating Partnership LP has submitted a Letter of Intent and a Waterway Suitability Assessment to the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Port Arthur regarding the company's proposed expansion of its Liquefied Hazardous Gas (LHG) facility in Beaumont, Texas, and increased LHG marine traffic in the associated waterway. The Coast Guard is notifying the public of this action to solicit public comments on the proposed increase in LHG marine traffic in Beaumont, Texas.

The Coast Guard will enforce safety zones in the Captain of the Port New York Zone on the specified dates and times. This action is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels and spectators from hazards associated with fireworks displays. During the enforcement period, no person or vessel may enter the safety zones without permission of the Captain of the Port (COTP).

As part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, CBP invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment on an information collection requirement concerning the Trusted Traveler Programs. This request for comment is being made pursuant to the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-13).