Department of Homeland Security May 2023 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary special local regulation for the Lowcountry Splash on certain navigable waters of the Wando River and Cooper River in Charleston and Mount Pleasant, SC. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on navigable waters during this open water swim event. This regulation restricts persons and vessels from entering certain waters of the Wando River and Cooper River, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port (COTP) Charleston or a designated represented.

The Coast Guard is modifying the operating schedule that governs the West 79th Street Bridge across the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AICW), mile 1084.6, at Miami, Florida, and the East 79th Street Bridge across Miami Beach Channel, mile 2.20, at Miami Beach, Florida. This action will place the West and East 79th Street Bridges on a once an hour opening schedule during peak traffic hours, Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. This action is intended to assist with reducing vehicular traffic congestion in the area.

This Notification announces the decision of the Secretary of Homeland Security (``Secretary''), after consulting with interagency partners, to terminate temporary restrictions on travel by certain noncitizens into the United States at land ports of entry (``land POEs''), including ferry terminals, along the United States-Canada border. Under the latest (April 22 2022) notice of the temporary restrictions, which applied only to noncitizens who are neither U.S. nationals nor lawful permanent residents (``noncitizen non-LPRs''), DHS allowed the processing for entry into the United States of only those noncitizen non-LPRs who were fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and could provide proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 upon request at arrival. DHS is terminating these restrictions.

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).

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).

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).

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.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is requesting qualified individuals interested in serving on the Technical Mapping Advisory Council (TMAC) apply for appointment. The TMAC, as established in the Biggert-Waters Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2012, makes recommendations to the FEMA Administrator on how to improve, in a cost- effective manner, the accuracy, general quality, ease of use, distribution, and dissemination of Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs) and risk data; and to define performance metrics and milestones required to effectively and efficiently map flood risk areas in the United States. The appointments are for 3 years each and applicants will be considered for three vacancies on the TMAC.

In compliance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, the U.S. Coast Guard intends to submit an Information Collection Request (ICR) 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: 1625-0079, Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), International Convention; without change. Our ICR describes the information we seek to collect from the public. Before submitting this ICR to OIRA, the Coast Guard is inviting comments as described below.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (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 proposes to modify the operating regulations and signaling requirements that govern the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, mile 3.5, over the Sandusky Bay. Further, the Coast Guard also proposes adding information to clarify when and how wind blockers may be used on the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, mile 3.5. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard proposes to require Coast Guard-approved training providers to electronically submit student course completion data to the Coast Guard within 5 business days of completing a Coast Guard-approved course. The National Maritime Center would use this information to validate mariner course completion as part of an application for a Merchant Mariner Credential. In addition, the Coast Guard proposes to replace gendered titles for certain officer and rating endorsements in keeping with Coast Guard policy of using gender- neutral language. We expect these proposed changes to lessen the probability of credentials being issued to mariners who have not met the professional requirements for their endorsements and to appropriately conform terms that should be gender-neutral.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operations of all movable bridges over the River Rouge, Detroit, MI to improve communications and establish winter hours. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is requesting that individuals who are interested in serving on the Commercial Customs Operations Advisory Committee (COAC) apply for membership. The COAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Secretaries of the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on all matters involving the commercial operations of CBP and related functions.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of its continuing effort to reduce paperwork and respondent burden, invites the general public to take this opportunity to comment on a new information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning gathering insights from customers and stakeholders about their perceptions, experiences, and expectations that can improve the marketing and outreach of the Agency's services and programs.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the Allegheny River at Mile Marker 0.25-0.8 from 9:30 p.m. through 11 p.m. on May 19, 2023. This action is necessary to provide safety of life on these navigable waters during a drone show display. This rule prohibits persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Pittsburgh (COTP) or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is proposing to revise its regulations for permanent safety zones in the Coast Guard Sector New York Captain of the Port Zone for recurring fireworks displays and swim events. Our proposed revision would update the list of events, alter the means of notification, and clarify the function of these safety zone regulations. The establishment of the proposed safety zones is necessary to protect event participants, waterway users, and vessels from the potential hazards associated with these recurring organized water events. When subject to enforcement, no person is authorized to access the proposed safety zones without permission from the Captain of the Port (COTP) or the COTP's designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard proposes to modify the operating schedule that governs the Charles Berry Bridge, mile 0.6, and the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge, mile 1.2, both over the Black River. The regulation has not been updated since 1986. The Coast Guard's proposed revisions will ensure the needs of all modes of transportation are being met.

On January 26, 2023, President Joseph Biden issued a memorandum to the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) determining that it was in the foreign policy interest of the United States to extend and expand the deferral of removal of certain Hong Kong residents present in the United States through February 5, 2025, and to provide them with employment authorization documentation. The memorandum directed the Secretary to make provision for immediate allowance of employment authorization for such individuals. This Notice provides information about Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Hong Kong residents and provides information on how eligible individuals may apply for DED-based Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) with USCIS. Through this notice, DHS is providing employment authorization, including procedures for obtaining related documentation, for covered individuals through February 5, 2025, and automatically extending the validity of DED-based EADs bearing a Category Code of A11 and a ``Card Expires'' date of February 5, 2023 through February 5, 2025. Finally, this Notice provides instructions for DED-eligible Hong Kong residents on how to file for advance travel authorization. For the purposes of this Notice, a Hong Kong resident is defined as an individual of any nationality, or without nationality, who has met the requirements for, and been granted, a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, a British National Overseas Passport, a British Overseas Citizen Passport, a Hong Kong Permanent Identity card, or a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Document of Identity for Visa Purposes.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish 63 temporary 500- meter safety zones around the construction of 62 wind turbine generators (WTGs) and one electrical service platform (ESP) located in the Vineyard Wind 1 Wind Farm (VW1WF) project area within federal waters on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), specifically in the northern portion of Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Renewable Energy Lease Area OCS-A 0501, approximately 12 nautical miles (NM) offshore of Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts and 12 NM offshore Nantucket, Massachusetts. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life, property, and the environment during the planned construction of each facility's monopile type foundation and subsequent installation of the WTGs turbines and ESP platform from June 15, 2023, to May 31, 2024. When enforced, only attending vessels and those vessels specifically authorized by the First Coast Guard District Commander, or a designated representative, are permitted to enter or remain in the temporary safety zones. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Potomac River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters at the old Governor Harry W. Nice/Senator Thomas ``Mac'' Middleton Memorial (US- 301) Bridge during demolition operations from May 1, 2023 through June 9, 2023. This rule will prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Maryland- National Capital Region or a designated representative.

This notice announces that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has forwarded the Information Collection Request (ICR), Office of Management and Budget (OMB) control number 1652-0043, abstracted below, to OMB for review and approval of an extension of the currently approved collection under the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA). The ICR describes the nature of the information collection and its expected burden. The collection involves forms that applicants to, and incumbents in, the position of Federal Air Marshal (FAM) are required to complete regarding their physical and mental health history.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will submit the information collection abstracted below to the Office of Management and Budget for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission seeks comments concerning a series of surveys on continuity planning and organizational needs and capabilities from various stakeholders.

The National Commercial Fishing Safety Advisory Committee (Committee) will conduct a series of meetings over three days to review, discuss, and make recommendations to the Secretary on matters relating to Marine Casualty investigation cases related to Personal Flotation Devices (PFD), Cold Water, and Falls Overboard. The meetings will be open to the public.