Department of Homeland Security October 22, 2015 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of Homeland Security announces that the annual fiscal year numerical limitation for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI)-Only Transitional Worker (CW-1) nonimmigrant classification for fiscal year (FY) 2016 (Oct. 1, 2015-Sept. 30, 2016) is set at 12,999. This document announces the mandated annual reduction of the CW-1 numerical limitation and provides the public with additional information regarding the new CW-1 numerical limit. This docuemnt ensures that CNMI employers and employees have sufficient information regarding the maximum number of foreign workers who may be granted CW-1 transitional worker status during FY 2016.

The Coast Guard is establishing an emergency temporary safety zone for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River between mile 467.0 and 472.0. Transit into and through this area is prohibited beginning at 11:32 p.m. on September 10, 2015 and will continue through October 31, 2015 or until the width and depth of the navigational channel improves. This safety zone is needed to protect persons, property and infrastructure from the safety hazards associated with the navigational channel being reduced in width and depth due to shallow water and shifting shoals. This has created an especially hazardous situation that does not allow for normal transit through this reach of the river. Deviation from the safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing an emergency temporary safety zone for all waters of the Lower Mississippi River between mile 488.0 and 480.5. Transit into and through this area is prohibited beginning at 5:43 p.m. on September 9, 2015 and will continue through October 31, 2015 or until the width and depth of the navigational channel improves. This safety zone is needed to protect persons, property and infrastructure from the safety hazards associated with the navigational channel being reduced in width and depth due to shallow water and shifting shoals. This has created an especially hazardous situation that does not allow for normal transit through this reach of the river. Deviation from the safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Lower Mississippi River or a designated representative.

This notice serves to inform the public that the Department of the Interior held a meeting of the interagency Water Resources Council on Thursday, October 8, 2015, in the John Muir Conference Room, 1849 C St. NW., Washington, DC 20240 at 10 a.m. EDT to consider the recommendations of the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group and vote on the issuance of revised ``Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input.'' The Water Resources Council voted unanimously to accept the recommendations of the Mitigation Framework Leadership Group and issued Guidelines for Implementing Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management, and Executive Order 13690, Establishing a Federal Flood Risk Management Standard and a Process for Further Soliciting and Considering Stakeholder Input, effective October 8, 2015.

The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Hawthorne Bridge, mile 13.1, across the Willamette River at Portland, OR. The deviation is necessary for maintenance repairs to the bridge lifting mechanism. This deviation allows the bridges to remain in the closed-to-navigation position to allow safe and timely movement of workers.