Department of Homeland Security December 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This notice advises the public that the quarterly Internal Revenue Service interest rates used to calculate interest on overdue accounts (underpayments) and refunds (overpayments) of customs duties will remain the same from the previous quarter. For the calendar quarter beginning January 1, 2020, the interest rates for overpayments will be 4 percent for corporations and 5 percent for non-corporations, and the interest rate for underpayments will be 5 percent for both corporations and non-corporations. This notice is published for the convenience of the importing public and U.S. Customs and Border Protection personnel.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent regulated navigation area for certain waters of Lake Washington. The regulated navigation area is intended to protect personnel and vessels from potential hazards created by excessive vessel wake prior to and following high traffic Seafair events.

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.

This document announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection has changed the dates on which the semi-annual examination for an individual broker's license will be held in April and October 2020.

The Coast Guard announces the availability of, and seeks comments on, the recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council (PWSRCAC) for March 2, 2020 through February 28, 2021. Under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA 90), the Coast Guard may certify the PWSRCAC on an annual basis. This advisory group monitors the activities of terminal facilities and crude oil tankers under the Prince William Sound program established by the statute. The Coast Guard may certify an alternative voluntary advisory group in lieu of the PWSRCAC. The current certification for the PWSRCAC will expire March 1, 2020.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone in the Captain of the Port, Sault Sainte Marie zone in Mackinac City, MI. This temporary safety zone is necessary to protect the public and private contractors from potential hazards associated with remotely operated underwater vehicle operations in the Straits of Mackinac. During the effective dates of the rule, vessels will not be able to operate in certain U.S. navigable waters in the Straits of Mackinac within 500 yards of the Tug Nancy Anne and Deck Barge MM-142 without authorization from the Captain of the Port.

This regulatory agenda is a semiannual summary of projected regulations, existing regulations, and completed actions of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its components. This agenda provides the public with information about DHS's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS expects that this information will enable the public to be more aware of, and effectively participate in, the Department's regulatory and deregulatory activity. DHS invites the public to submit comments on any aspect of this agenda.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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 of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the S156 Bridge across the Niantic River, mile 0.1 at Niantic, CT. The bridge owner, the Connecticut Department of Transportation, submitted a request to allow six hours notice for night time transits during the months of November and April due to infrequent bridge openings. This final rule will approve the request and align the regulations for the S156 Bridge with other Connecticut Department of Transportation Bridges.

The Coast Guard is establishing a special local regulation for the St. Thomas Lighted Boat Parade marine event. The special local regulation is for certain navigable waters of Crown Bay, Haulover Cay, and St. Thomas Harbor, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. The special local regulation is necessary to ensure the safety of vessels, spectators, and public during the event. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for all navigable waters within one-tenth of a mile up and down river of Mile Marker (MM) 91.5 and Mile Marker (MM) 28.3 on the Illinois River. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by diving operations for salvage work. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Upper Mississippi River or a designated representative.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on an extension, with changes, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning the application process for the conveyance of Federal real property for public benefit. The purpose of this application is to implement the processes and procedures for the successful, lawful, and expeditious conveyance of real property from the Federal Government to public entities such as State, local, city, town, or other like government bodies as it relates to emergency management response purposes, including Fire and Rescue services. Compliance will ensure that properties will be fully positioned to use at their highest and best potentials as required by General Services Administration and Department of Defense regulations, Federal law, Executive Orders, and the Code of Federal Regulations.

The Coast Guard proposes to temporarily modify the operating schedule that governs the Isabel S. Holmes Bridge (US 74/SR 133), across the Northeast Cape Fear River, at mile 1.0, at Wilmington, North Carolina. This proposed temporary modification will allow the drawbridge to be maintained in the closed position and is necessary to accommodate bridge maintenance.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of Tennessee (FEMA-4471-DR), dated December 6, 2019, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster declaration for the State of Florida (FEMA-4468-DR), dated October 21, 2019, and related determinations.

The Coast Guard is proposing to modify the operating schedules that govern the Route 1 & 9 Bridge, mile 1.8, and Route 7 Bridge, mile 3.1, both crossing the Hackensack River, at Jersey City, NJ. The bridge owner, the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT), submitted a request to allow two hours advance notice for nighttime transits due to infrequent bridge openings. This proposed rule would align the advance notice requirement for the PATH Bridge at mile 3.0.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary security zone for all navigable waters within a 100-yard radius of berth four at the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal in San Diego, CA during the offload of narcotics from a military vessel. The security zone is needed to protect the military vessel and vessel's personnel. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port San Diego.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment upon this proposed revision of a currently approved collection of information. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the information collection notice is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments regarding the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort, and resources used by the respondents to respond), the estimated cost to the respondent, and the actual information collection instruments.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a permanent safety zone around the Big Foot Tension Leg Platform (TLP), located in Walker Ridge 29 on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) in the Gulf of Mexico. The purpose of this proposed rule is to protect the facility from any dangers associated with vessels operating outside the normal shipping channels and fairways that are not providing service to or working with the facility. Placing a permanent safety zone around the facility will significantly reduce the threat of allisions, collisions, security breaches, oil spills, releases of natural gas, and thereby protect the safety of life, property, and the environment. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is proposing to revise an existing moving safety zone for San Juan Harbor, San Juan, Puerto Rico. The proposed revisions would expand the existing moving safety zone to include an adjacent berthing; add a 50-yard radius around moored liquefied natural gas and liquefied petroleum gas carriers; and update terminal names. This action would continue to prohibit persons and vessels from entering the safety zone, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port San Juan or a designated representative. This action is necessary to better meet the safety and security needs of San Juan Harbor. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

This is a notice of the Presidential declaration of a major disaster for the State of South Dakota (FEMA-4469-DR), dated November 18, 2019, and related determinations.

This notice amends the notice of a major disaster for the State of New Mexico (FEMA-4047-DR), dated November 23, 2011, and related determinations.

The Board for Correction of Military Records of the Coast Guard (BCMR) is updating its mailing address in the Code of Federal Regulations. On April 29, 2019 the BCMR moved from 245 Murray Lane, Washington, DC 20528 to 2707 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20528. This rule only updates the BCMR's mailing address for submitting an application for correction of a Coast Guard record and does not create or change any substantive requirements.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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 of 1995 (PRA). The information collection is published in the Federal Register to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies. Comments are encouraged and must be submitted (no later than February 11, 2020) to be assured of consideration.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is withdrawing its proposed notice concerning proposed flood hazard determinations, which may include the addition or modification of any Base Flood Elevation, base flood depth, Special Flood Hazard Area boundary or zone designation, or regulatory floodway (herein after referred to as proposed flood hazard determinations) on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps and, where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study reports for Winneshiek County, Iowa and Incorporated Areas.