Department of Homeland Security April 2024 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Lower Mississippi River from mile marker 364.5 to mile marker 365.5. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by waterborne fireworks display with a fallout zone of approximately 560 feet around the barge. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Lower Mississippi River.

The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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 will enforce special local regulations for certain waters of the Choptank River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters located at Cambridge, MD, during a high-speed power boat demonstration event on May 18, 2024, and May 19, 2024. This regulation prohibits persons and vessels from entering the regulated area unless authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Maryland-National Capital Region or the Coast Guard Event Patrol Commander.

The Coast Guard will enforce a safety zone for the Riverfest Fireworks display on the Neches River in Port Neches, TX from 8:30 through 10 p.m. on May 4, 2024, to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways during this event. Our regulation for fireworks displays and other events within the Eighth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event in Port Neches, TX. During the enforcement period, the operator of any vessel in the regulated area must comply with directions from the Captain of the Port or designated representative.

Pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 14110, Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence, dated October 30, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security, through the Office of Partnership and Engagement, has established the Artificial Intelligence Safety and Security Board (the Board). The Board will provide the Secretary of Homeland Security (hereinafter referred to as "the Secretary") information, advice, and recommendations to advance the security and resilience of our nation's critical infrastructure in its use of artificial intelligence (AI). This Notice is not a solicitation for membership.

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.

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).

We are requesting your comments on planned actions that will allow the Coast Guard to prioritize lifesaving missions and protection of the Marine Transportation System in light of current personnel shortages. Like other military services, the Coast Guard is facing an unprecedented workforce shortage that is impacting Service readiness. The current and forecasted extent of the shortage is prompting significant actions to best protect the American public and maintain Service readiness. If actions are not taken to adjust operations, we can anticipate longer-term impacts to mission effectiveness and increased risk to our service members, as well as to commercial mariners and private boaters. In addition to leveraging technology and enhancing recruitment and retention efforts, operational adjustments must be executed within the existing response system while maintaining standards and an adherence to core mission execution. These adjustments fall into two categories: First, in regions where multiple units could respond if they were resourced appropriately, boats and people will be consolidated at one or more units to ensure a robust response. Secondly, in areas where the Coast Guard operates limited, or seasonal units that do not have sufficient personnel to respond, operations will be temporarily paused as resources are moved to higher priority areas. These adjustments will remain in effect until the Coast Guard has sufficient personnel to reconstitute these units.

DHS CISA Infrastructure Security Division (ISD) will submit the following Information Collection Request (ICR) to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the San Diego Bay. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards during the XPONENTIAL 2024 demonstration. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Sector San Diego.

The Coast Guard is proposing to amend the regulations for Los Angeles and Long Beach Harbors. This action would amend Anchorages F and G, and update anchorage usage and communication requirements. The purpose of this proposed rule is to improve navigation safety by modifying Anchorage F and G to accommodate an increased volume of vessel traffic and larger vessels calling on the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and alleviate vessels anchoring near a subsea pipeline. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

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).

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary special local regulation in the Upper Bay of New York Harbor in support of Sail Grand Prix 2024 from June 21, 2024, through June 23, 2024. This special local regulation is necessary to provide for the safety of life from the dangers associated with high-speed sailing during the event. This proposed rulemaking would temporarily prohibit persons and vessels from entering, transiting through, blocking, or loitering within the event area, unless authorized by the Captain of the Port New York or a designated representative. We invite your comments on this proposed rulemaking.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is publishing official notice that the Transportation Security Oversight Board (TSOB) ratified Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Security Directive Pipeline-2021-01C and Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02D, applicable to owners and operators of critical hazardous liquid and natural gas pipeline infrastructure (owner/operators). Security Directive Pipeline-2021-01C, issued on May 22, 2023, extended the requirements of the Security Directive Pipeline-2021-01 series for an additional year. Security Directive Pipeline-2021-02D, issued on July 26, 2023, extended the requirements of the Security Directive Pipeline- 2021-02 series for an additional year and amended them to strengthen their effectiveness and address emerging cyber threats.

The Coast Guard will enforce special local regulations for a recurring marine event in the Fifth Coast Guard District to provide for the safety of life on navigable waterways from June 7 to 9, 2024. Our regulation for marine events within the Fifth Coast Guard District identifies the regulated area for this event (the Ocean City Offshore Grand Prix) in Ocean City, MD. 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 Coast Guard will enforce various special local regulations for annual regattas and marine parades on dates between April 27, 2024, and September 1, 2024, in the Captain of the Port Detroit zone. Enforcement of these regulations is necessary and intended to ensure safety of life on the navigable waters immediately prior to, during, and after these regattas or marine parades. During the aforementioned period, the Coast Guard will enforce restrictions upon, and control movement of, vessels in a specified area immediately prior to, during, and after regattas or marine parades.

The Coast Guard is proposing to establish a temporary safety zone for certain waters of Seneca Lake near Sampson State Park, Romulus, NY. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. This proposed rulemaking would prohibit persons and vessels from being in the safety zone from 9:30 p.m. through 10:30 p.m., July 3, 2024 unless authorized by the Captain of the Port Eastern Great Lakes 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 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 the effect of disasters on the mental health of emergency managers at local, State, and Federal levels.

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) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for certain Palestinian F-1 nonimmigrant students who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian Territories. The Secretary is providing relief to these students who are in lawful F-1 nonimmigrant status, 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 their F-1 nonimmigrant status.

Through this notice, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announces that the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) is extending the designation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on June 13, 2024, and ending on December 12, 2025. This extension allows existing TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through December 12, 2025, if they otherwise continue to meet the eligibility requirements for TPS. Existing TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their status through December 12, 2025, must re-register during the 60-day re-registration period described in this notice. The Secretary is also redesignating Ethiopia for TPS. The redesignation of Ethiopia allows additional Ethiopian nationals (and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Ethiopia) who have been continuously residing in the United States since April 11, 2024, to apply for TPS for the first time during the initial registration period described under the redesignation information in this notice. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since April 11, 2024, and meeting other eligibility criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this designation must demonstrate that they have been continuously physically present in the United States since June 13, 2024, the effective date of this redesignation of Ethiopia for TPS.

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 new 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 will enforce the special local regulations for the annual Blessing of the Fleet Boat Parade on April 28, 2024, 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 loitering or anchoring in the regulated area, unless authorized by the designated Patrol Commander (PATCOM) or other law enforcement agencies on scene.