Department of Homeland Security 2022 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

This rule makes non-substantive amendments to Coast Guard regulations in association with a change in the Coast Guard's internal organization. These amendments reflect that U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam has been renamed U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. This rule will have no substantive effect on the regulated public.

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 U.S. Coast Guard seeks applications to fill two member vacancies on the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee (Committee). This Committee provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretary of Homeland Security, via the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, on matters relating to national maritime security, including on enhancing the sharing of information related to cybersecurity risks that may cause a transportation security incident, between relevant Federal agencies and State, local, and tribal governments; relevant public safety and emergency response agencies; relevant law enforcement and security organizations; maritime industry; port owners and operators; and terminal owners and operators.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters near the Downtown Detroit, Detroit, MI. The safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards associated with fireworks displays created by the Conventions Services Unlimited Firewoks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Detroit or his designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing five temporary safety zones for the safe splashdown and recovery of reentry vehicles launched by Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) in support of National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) missions through December 31, 2022. The temporary safety zones are located within the Seventh Coast Guard District area of responsibility (AOR) offshore of Jacksonville, Daytona, Cape Canaveral, Tampa, and Tallahassee, Florida. This rule implements a special activities provision of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021. This action is necessary to protect vessels and waterway users from the potential hazards created by reentry vehicle splashdowns and recovery operations in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It is also necessary to provide for the safe recovery of reentry vehicles, and any personnel involved in reentry services, after the splashdown. This rule prohibits U.S.-flagged vessels from entering any of the temporary safety zones unless authorized by the District Commander of the Seventh Coast Guard District or a designated representative.

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 currently effective community number is shown in the table below and must be used for all new policies and renewals.

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).

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).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Coast Guard is establishing to a temporary safety zone from mile marker 191.1 to 191.5 of the Cumberland River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters near Korean Veterans Bridge, Nashville, TN, during Music City Grand Prix on August 5 through August 7, 2022. This rulemaking prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector Ohio Valley or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Willamette River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters between the Marquam Bridge to Hawthorne Bridge, Portland, Oregon, during a fireworks display on the evening of September 3, 2022. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Columbia River or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the San Francisco Bay, near Sausalito, CA, in support of the Sausalito Scattering Fireworks display on August 8, 2022. This safety zone is necessary to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from the dangers associated with pyrotechnics. Unauthorized persons or vessels are prohibited from entering into, transiting through, or remaining in the safety zone without permission of the Captain of the Port San Francisco or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is modifying the security zone boundaries surrounding Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, CT. This rule will amend the previous security zone to encompass the entire operational area of the Naval Submarine Base.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is revising its regulations governing the Public Assistance program that provides grants to State, local, Tribal, and territorial governments, as well as eligible private nonprofit organizations, for debris removal, emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged facilities after a presidentially-declared major disaster to update the monetary threshold for when FEMA will process an application using ``simplified procedures.''

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain navigable waters of the Sabine River, extending the entire width of the river, adjacent to the public boat ramp located in Orange, TX. The special local regulation is necessary to protect persons and vessels from hazards associated with a high-speed boat race competition in Orange, TX. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone would be prohibited unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

In accordance with the statutory provisions enacted by the Great Lakes Pilotage Act of 1960, the Coast Guard is issuing new base pilotage rates for the 2022 shipping season. This rule will adjust the pilotage rates to account for changes in district operating expenses, an increase in the number of pilots, and anticipated inflation. In addition, this rule will make a policy change to round up in the staffing model. The Coast Guard is also making methodology changes to factor in an apprentice pilot's compensation benchmark for the estimated number of apprentice pilots. The Coast Guard estimates that this rule will result in a 7-percent increase in pilotage operating costs compared to the 2021 season.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone on the navigable waters of the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW) and Queen Creek near Swansboro, Onslow County, NC. The safety zone is necessary to enhance the safety of mariners and participants during a mass-rescue training exercise. Entry of vessels or persons into this safety zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) North Carolina or a designated representative.

On August 20, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (``DHS'') and the Department of Justice (``DOJ'') (collectively ``the Departments'') published a notice of proposed rulemaking (``NPRM'' or ``proposed rule'') that proposed amending regulations governing the procedures for determining certain protection claims and available parole procedures for individuals subject to expedited removal and found to have a credible fear of persecution or torture. After a careful review of the comments received, the Departments are now issuing an interim final rule (``rule'' or ``IFR'') that responds to comments received in response to the NPRM and adopts the proposed rule with changes. Most significantly, the IFR provides that DHS's United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (``USCIS'') will refer noncitizens whose applications are not granted to DOJ's Executive Office for Immigration Review (``EOIR'') for streamlined removal proceedings. The IFR also establishes timelines for the consideration of applications for asylum and related protection by USCIS and, as needed, EOIR. This IFR responds to comments received in response to the NPRM and adopts the NPRM with changes as described in this rule. The Departments solicit further public comment on the IFR's revisions, which will be considered and addressed in a future rule.

The Coast Guard proposes to revise existing regulations by removing an event that no longer takes place, and by updating the location of an existing event in the geographic boundaries of the Seventh Coast Guard District Captain of the Port (COTP) St. Petersburg Zone. The Coast Guard invites your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone while the U.S. Navy Blue Angels Squadron conducts aerobatic performances over Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, Hawaii, from 9:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m., August 12-14, 2022. This safety zone is necessary to protect watercraft and the general public from hazards associated with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels aircraft low flying, high powered jet aerobatics over open waters. Vessels desiring to transit through the zone can request permission by contacting the Honolulu Captain of the Port (COTP) or his designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for the Blessing of the FleetSt. Augustine on April 10, 2022, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for marine events within the Seventh Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event in St. Augustine, FL. During the enforcement periods, 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 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 proposing to amend the anchorage regulations for Lockwoods Folly Inlet, NC, and adjacent navigable waters, by establishing a new offshore anchorage, relocating the existing explosives anchorage and amending the anchorage regulations. The purpose of this supplemental proposed rule is to improve navigation and public safety by accommodating recent and anticipated future growth in cargo vessel traffic and vessel size that call on Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point and the Port of Wilmington, North Carolina. We invite your comments on this supplemental proposed rulemaking.