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

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has prepared a Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Assessment (SPEA) to reevaluate the analysis provided in the 2011 Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) for Safe Room Construction and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI). The SPEA includes a reevaluation of the environmental analysis and underlying assumptions of the 2011 PEA. The proposed action includes the nationwide construction, retrofit, or renovation of safe rooms eligible for FEMA grant funding. FEMA has made a preliminary determination in the SPEA that the FONSI determination is valid after incorporating the updated analysis and revisions contained in the SPEA.

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.

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).

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS or Department) is amending its regulations to allow asylum officers (AOs) to consider the potential applicability of certain bars to asylum and statutory withholding of removal during credible fear and reasonable fear screenings, including credible fear screenings where the Circumvention of Lawful Pathways or Securing the Border rules apply. The rule is intended to enhance operational flexibility and help DHS more swiftly remove certain noncitizens who are barred from asylum and statutory withholding of removal.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is amending its regulations affecting temporary agricultural (H-2A) and temporary nonagricultural (H-2B) nonimmigrant workers (H-2 programs) and their employers. This rulemaking is intended to better ensure the integrity of the H-2 programs and enhance protections for workers.

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 is issuing this final rule to permit the electronic submission of required mariner credentialing information to allow for the future implementation of a new Merchant Mariner Credentialing information technology system. This rule also requires the electronic payment of mandatory merchant mariner credentialing fees, removes the requirement for prospective mariners to take an oath before an authorized official, and changes the requirements for the Certificate of Discharge to Merchant Mariners. Finally, this rule makes technical amendments to update addresses and websites, remove antiquated terminology, and adopt gender-neutral terms.

The Coast Guard is amending the current temporary safety zone in the vicinity of the West Passage Narraganset Bay, Jamestown, RI, in two ways. First, we are extending the effective period by 30 days to January 31, 2025. Second, by updating the name of the cable laying vessel. The temporary safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by cable laying operations being conducted. When enforced, entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Sector Southeastern New England.

CISA has released a draft of the National Cyber Incident Response Plan (NCIRP) Update for public comment. CISA invites cybersecurity and incident response stakeholders from across public and private sectors or other interested parties to review the draft update document and provide comments, relevant information, and feedback.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for certain waters of the Patapsco River. This action is necessary to provide for the safety of life on these navigable waters in Baltimore, MD from potential hazards during a fireworks display to commemorate the New Years Eve. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Maryland- National Capital Region or a designated representative.

The Coast Guard is establishing an anchorage ground near Rice Island, Oregon on the Lower Columbia River. The purpose of this rule is to improve navigation safety by establishing an area to provide for the safe anchoring of commercial vessels in the navigable waters of the Lower Columbia River.

The Coast Guard is issuing a final rule to update regulations that reflect the Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center's processes and capabilities, as well as align regulations with statutory reporting timelines. The processes noted pertain to electronic file submissions, requirements for submission of original build evidence, and return of existing Certificates of Documentation (CODs). In addition, the time period related to reporting changes to COD information is updated to align with statute.

The Coast Guard is extending the temporary safety zones for waters of Port Arthur Canal adjacent to Golden Pass Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Facility in Sabine Pass, TX. These safety zones will continue to be temporarily activated during high pressure testing of the piping systems to protect persons and vessels on these navigable waters from potential blast and fragmentation hazards associated with high pressure piping testing. Entry of vessels or persons into these zones is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port, Marine Safety Unit Port Arthur.

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: 1625-0078, Credentialing and Manning Requirements for Officers of Towing Vessels; 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.

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).

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).

This final rule amends DHS regulations to permanently increase the automatic extension period for expiring employment authorization and/or Employment Authorization Documents (Forms I-766 or EADs) for certain renewal applicants who have timely filed Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, from up to 180 days to up to 540 days. After two temporary rules, DHS is finalizing the recent temporary rule and making the increase permanent to help prevent eligible renewal EAD applicants from experiencing a lapse in employment authorization and/or the validity of their EAD as a result of lengthy USCIS processing times.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for navigable waters on the Lower Mississippi River from mile marker 364.4 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 350 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 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 an extension, without change, of a currently approved information collection. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this notice seeks comments concerning a list of hotels, motels, and similar places of public accommodations meeting minimum fire-safety requirements. The information collected is voluntary and if approved for listing, the lodging establishment may be used by Federal employees on government related travel and for Federal agency conferences. As the list is open to use by the public, non-government travelers may use the list to identify lodging meeting minimum life-safety criteria from fire.

The Coast Guard is extending the waiting period for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the proposed Expansion and Modernization of Base Seattle. We published a Notice of Availability of the Final PEIS on November 15, 2024. That notice marked the start of a 30-day waiting period. We are extending the wait period. January 10, 2025, is the earliest date that the Coast Guard would issue a final decision.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of Santa Barbara Harbor. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Los Angeles-Long Beach.

The Coast Guard is establishing a temporary safety zone for the navigable waters of Queensway Bay. The safety zone is needed to protect personnel, vessels, and the marine environment from potential hazards created by a fireworks display. Entry of vessels or persons into this zone is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Captain of the Port Los Angeles-Long Beach.

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: 1625-0081, Alternate Compliance 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.