Department of Homeland Security May 8, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, has decided to increase the numerical limitation on H-2B nonimmigrant visas to authorize the issuance of up to, but not more than, an additional 30,000 visas through the end of Fiscal Year (FY) 2019. The Departments have determined that employers who attest that they are likely to suffer irreparable harm may request these supplemental visas only for workers who were issued an H-2B visa or otherwise granted H-2B status in FY 2016, 2017, or 2018. This increase is based on a time-limited statutory authority and does not affect the H-2B program in future fiscal years. The Departments are promulgating regulations to implement this determination.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary special local regulation for a designated area of the Duluth Harbor entrance to Superior Bay on Lake Superior during the Festival of Sail 2019 event in Duluth, MN. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters around the port of Duluth, MN during a parade of sail event on August 11, 2019. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the designated region unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Duluth or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce the special local regulation on the Black River in South Haven, Michigan for the Harborfest Dragon Boat Race on June 15, 2019. This action is necessary and intended to protect the safety of life and property on navigable waters prior to, during, and immediately after the boat race. During the enforcement period listed below vessels and persons are prohibited from transiting through, mooring, or anchoring within the special local regulation unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative. The operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Patrol Commander or any Official Patrol displaying a Coast Guard ensign.

The Coast Guard will enforce the special local regulation for the Washburn Board Across the Bay event in Washburn, WI from 7:30 a.m. through 12:30 p.m. on July 27, 2019. This action is necessary to protect participants and spectators during the Board Across the Bay event. During the enforcement period, vessels transiting within the regulated area shall travel at a no-wake speed except as may be permitted by the Captain of the Port Duluth or a designated on-scene representative. Additionally, vessels shall yield right-of-way for event participants and event safety craft and shall follow directions given by event representatives during the event.

The Coast Guard is updating its recurring safety zones regulations in the Captain of the Port Detroit. This rule updates 51 safety zones locations, dates, and sizes, adds three safety zones, removes six established safety zones, and reformats the regulations into an easier to read table format. These amendments will protect spectators, participants, and vessels from the hazards associated with annual marine events and firework shows, and improve the clarity and readability of the regulation.