Department of Homeland Security April 2021 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard published a document in the Federal Register on April 27, 2021, concerning a notice of intent; request for comments on a Cooperative Research and Development AgreementTactical Mobile Technology Architecture. The document contained an incorrect company name for who we are currently considering partnering with on the research and development.

The Coast Guard proposes to amend the regulations for recurring marine events and fireworks displays that take place within the Fifth Coast Guard District area of responsibility. We invite your comments on this rulemaking.

This document announces that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is modifying the collections process for deferred payments of internal revenue taxes owed on consumption entries of distilled spirits, wines, and beer imported into the United States (other than in bulk containers). The primary modification announced in this notice is the harmonization of the determination of the due date for deferred tax payments with the entry summary date. Another modification is the consolidation of all deferred tax entry bills from all ports of entry for one semi-monthly period into consolidated bill(s) viewable in the Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). CBP is further facilitating deferred tax payments by removing current policy restrictions on the filing of entries with deferred taxes and eliminating the now unnecessary Semi-Monthly Excise Tax Form (Greater than 50) for importers who pay deferred taxes through Pay.gov. Lastly, CBP is adding a new payment method for deferred taxes in ACE while also eliminating a current, but lesser-used payment method available through Fedwire.

The United States Coast Guard (Coast Guard), as the lead agency, announced its intent to prepare a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program's acquisition and operation of up to 30 WCCs on April 19, 2021. This is an update to that notice to publish public meeting information.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0043, Ports and Waterways Safety; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard is forwarding an Information Collection Request (ICR), abstracted below, to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), requesting an extension of its approval for the following collection of information: 1625-0085, Streamlined Inspection Program; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Review and comments by OIRA ensure we only impose paperwork burdens commensurate with our performance of duties.

This rule identifies communities where the sale of flood insurance has been authorized under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that are scheduled for suspension on the effective dates listed within this rule because of noncompliance with the floodplain management requirements of the program. If the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) receives documentation that the community has adopted the required floodplain management measures prior to the effective suspension date given in this rule, the suspension will not occur. Information identifying the current participation status of a community can be obtained from FEMA's Community Status Book (CSB) available at www.fema.gov/flood-insurance/work-with-nfip/community- status-book. Please note that per Revisions to Publication Requirements for Community Eligibility Status Information Under the National Flood Insurance Program, notifications such as this one for scheduled suspension will no longer be published in the Federal Register as of June 2021 but will be available at National Flood Insurance Community Status and Public Notification [bond] FEMA.gov. Individuals without internet access will be able to contact their local floodplain management official and/or State NFIP Coordinating Office directly for assistance.

The Coast Guard has set the calendar year 2021 minimum random drug testing rate at 50 percent of covered crewmembers.

Flood hazard determinations, which may include additions or modifications of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or regulatory floodways on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports have been made final for the communities listed in the table below. The FIRM and FIS report are the basis of the floodplain management measures that a 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 Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA's) National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In addition, the FIRM and FIS report are used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for buildings and the contents of those buildings.

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.

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 notice lists communities where the addition or modification of Base Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, or the regulatory floodway (hereinafter referred to as flood hazard determinations), as shown on the Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs), and where applicable, in the supporting Flood Insurance Study (FIS) reports, prepared by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for each community, is appropriate because of new scientific or technical data. The FIRM, and where applicable, portions of the FIS report, have been revised to reflect these flood hazard determinations through issuance of a Letter of Map Revision (LOMR), in accordance with Federal Regulations. The LOMR will be used by insurance agents and others to calculate appropriate flood insurance premium rates for new buildings and the contents of those buildings. For rating purposes, the currently effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.

New or modified Base (1-percent annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or regulatory floodways (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.

New or modified Base (1-percent annual chance) Flood Elevations (BFEs), base flood depths, Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) boundaries or zone designations, and/or regulatory floodways (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 Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into one or more cooperative research and development agreements (CRADA) with companies to evaluate a detect and avoid (DAA) system to determine its potential use in a maritime environment to enable the Coast Guard to safely fly sUAS beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The Coast Guard will conduct flight testing and evaluations of sUAS under a wide variety of simulated but realistic and relevant real-world maritime operational scenarios, such as: Law enforcement; search and rescue; and maritime environmental responses. The Coast Guard is currently considering separate partnerships with Scientific Applications & Research Associates (SARA) Inc., Iris Automation Inc., and Echodyne Corp. and solicits public comment on the possible participation of other parties in the proposed CRADAs, and the nature of that participation. The Coast Guard also invites other potential non-Federal participants, who have the interest and capability to bring similar contributions to this type of research, to consider submitting proposals for consideration in similar CRADAs.

The Coast Guard announces its intent to enter into a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with several companies to help inform the Cutter IT Integrated Product Team on methods for improving the Cutter Tactical Commander to Boarding Team communications user experience when using CG tactical mobile IT systems. This CRADA will also investigate alternative equipment and or architectures which may provide more robust and reliable tactical mobile network connectivity to underway cutters under a variety of scenarios. The Coast Guard is currently considering partnering with IMPRESS Technologies Inc. and solicits public comment on the possible participation of other parties in the proposed CRADA, and the nature of that participation. The Coast Guard also invites other potential non- Federal participants, who have the interest and capability to bring similar contributions to this type of research, to consider submitting proposals for consideration in similar CRADAs.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of Sturgeon Bay, WI. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters during the boat parade for the Graduates of Sturgeon Bay High School on May 29, 2021. This proposed rulemaking would restrict usage by persons and vessels within the safety zone. At no time during the effective period may non-parade vessels transit the waters of Sturgeon Bay between the Highway 42 Bridge and Michigan Street Bridge. These restrictions would apply to all vessels during the effective period unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Lake Michigan or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard announces that it will exercise its authority to suspend and grant exemptions from certain equipment carriage regulations during a period when compliance appears to be impossible. Specifically, the Coast Guard believes that between July 22, 2021, and July 22, 2022, there may be no approved fire detection systems available for purchase for certain vessels that need to install or replace those systems. For enforcement purposes, existing approved fire detection systems that were approved on July 21, 2021, will be treated as approved until July 22, 2022.

The Coast Guard will enforce a security zone along the Potomac River and Anacostia River, and adjacent waters at Washington, DC, for activities associated with the U.S. President's address before a Joint Session of Congress. The zone will be enforced on April 28, 2021. This action is necessary to protect government officials, mitigate potential terrorist acts and incidents, and enhance public and maritime safety and security immediately before, during, and after this activity. During the enforcement period, entry into or remaining within the zone is prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port or his designated representative.

This document announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) to continue to temporarily limit the travel of individuals from Canada into the United States at land ports of entry along the United States-Canada border. Such travel will be limited to ``essential travel,'' as further defined in this document.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) invites public comment on a new Information Collection Request (ICR) abstracted below that we will submit to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for approval in compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The collection involves the basic point of contact information on the person/organization requesting a TSA speaker, the logistical information for that speaking engagement, and context for the request to determine the audience reach, ethical concerns, and possible promotion of the speaking engagement.

This notice announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) has suspended certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students whose country of citizenship is Syria (regardless of country of birth) and who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the civil unrest in Syria since March 2011. The Secretary is taking action to provide relief to Syrian citizens who are lawful F-1 nonimmigrant students so the students may request employment authorization, work an increased number of hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load while continuing to maintain F-1 nonimmigrant student status. DHS will deem an F-1 nonimmigrant student who receives employment authorization by means of this notice to be engaged in a ``full course of study'' for the duration of the employment authorization, if the nonimmigrant student satisfies the minimum course load requirement described in this notice.

The Coast Guard proposes to update electrical engineering standards that are incorporated by reference and add acceptable alternative standards. This proposed rule would also eliminate several outdated or unnecessarily prescriptive electrical engineering regulations. This proposed regulatory action would be consistent with the standards currently used by industry and support the Coast Guard's maritime safety mission.

The Coast Guard will enforce the special local regulations for the annual Opening Day on the San Francisco Bay Boat Parade on April 25, 2021 to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways in the San Francisco Bay during this event. Our regulation for marine events in Northern California identifies the regulated area for this event in San Francisco, CA. During the enforcement period, unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or anchoring in the regulated area, unless authorized by the Patrol Commander (PATCOM) or other Federal, State, or local law enforcement agencies on scene to assist the Coast Guard in enforcing the regulated area.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable water within a 500-yard radius of several tugs and barges in the Straits of Mackinac. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the potential hazards created by the work, inspection, surveying and the removal and replacement of cables for the Straits of Mackinac. Entry of vessels or persons into the zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sault Sainte Marie or their designated representative. Due to the lengthy duration of this safety zone, the Coast Guard is accepting and reviewing public comments until May 7, 2021. While this rule is being enforced beginning April 20, 2021, the Coast Guard reserves the right to modify the safety zone if an issue is raised by the public comments that requires such a modification.