Search Results for agency_names:"Homeland Security Department"

The Coast Guard has set up a temporary safety zone in the Richmond Entrance Channel near Richmond, CA, to deal with a hydrocarbon release from the Richmond Long Wharf. Effective from February 10 to 16, 2021, this zone prevents unauthorized people or vessels from entering or passing through the area without permission from the Captain of the Port San Francisco. This measure is necessary to ensure the safety of life, vessels, and the environment while the response to the hydrocarbon release is underway. The rule emphasizes the temporary nature of this safety zone and assures minimal impact on local waterway users through prior notifications.

The Coast Guard is proposing a rule to set up a safety zone in Cocos Lagoon, Guam, specifically for the annual Cocos Crossing swim event. This zone will be in place to ensure the safety of participants and will cover all navigable waters within 100 yards of the race participants. Only race participants, chase boats, and event organizers will be allowed in this area. Others are prohibited from entering unless they have permission from the Captain of the Port of Guam. The Coast Guard is seeking public comments on this proposal.

The Coast Guard, as part of the Department of Homeland Security, has established a temporary safety zone on the Potomac River between the 14th Street Bridge and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. This safety zone is in response to a midair collision between a jet and a helicopter near Reagan Washington National Airport, which resulted in the jet landing in the river. The safety zone is effective from February 7 to February 21, 2025, to protect first responders, vessels, and the public from hazards such as debris and jet fuel. Entry into this zone is prohibited without authorization from the Captain of the Port (COTP) Maryland-National Capital Region or their representative.

The Coast Guard has issued a final rule to modify the operating schedule of the Amtrak Portal Bridge on the Hackensack River in New Jersey. This change is necessary to allow for the construction of a new bridge, Portal Bridge North, which is being built by Amtrak next to the current structure. The updated schedule will limit the horizontal opening of the bridge to 55 feet in the east channel, and the west channel will be closed to navigation to prevent the existing bridge's swing span from hitting the new bridge during construction. This new rule will be in effect from April 25, 2025, which will affect some vessels but was deemed necessary to balance the needs of both train commuters and marine navigation.

The Coast Guard has made available a policy letter titled "Guidelines for Obtaining STCW Endorsements for Basic and Advanced IGF Code Operations." This policy offers guidance on how mariners can voluntarily obtain endorsements for operating vessels that use gases or low flashpoint fuels in line with international safety and training standards. The endorsements are not mandatory, but the Coast Guard will issue them to mariners who meet the training requirements. This policy is intended to help mariners and vessel operators ensure compliance with international standards, especially when operating in foreign ports.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is holding the 2025 Trade and Cargo Security Summit in New Orleans, Louisiana, from May 6 to May 8, 2025. The event is open to the public and can be attended in person or via webinar, with registration required. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with CBP staff, members of the trade community, and other government agencies in discussions about CBP's role in international trade. Registration fees apply, and the event will be held at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside.

The Coast Guard, under the Department of Homeland Security, issued a final rule to rename the "Gulf of Mexico" as the "Gulf of America" in its regulations. This change follows Executive Order 14172, titled "Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness," and aims to ensure consistency across federal government references. No notice of proposed rulemaking was required for this rule as it makes no substantive changes impacting public rights or obligations. The renaming is effective March 17, 2025, and involves technical amendments with no additional costs to the public.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced a request for public comments on the extension of an existing information collection concerning fire safety in hotels and motels. This collection helps maintain a list of accommodations that meet fire safety standards, which federal employees and other travelers can use to ensure safe lodging. The information is collected through the Federal Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Declaration Form and is published on the National Master List. Comments on this extension, which involves no change to the current collection, must be submitted by February 10, 2025.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced a request for public comments on an existing information collection for the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC®) Program. This program, done in collaboration with the U.S. Coast Guard, involves collecting biographic and biometric data to conduct security threat assessments required for access to secure maritime areas. The TSA is proposing an extension of this information collection and is reviewing feedback on the necessity, utility, and burden of the data collection process. Comments are invited until February 10, 2025, and further details can be found on https://www.reginfo.gov.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), is introducing a temporary rule to help U.S. businesses struggling from a lack of workers by increasing the number of H-2B visas available for Fiscal Year 2025 by up to 64,716. These visas will be distributed over the fiscal year in four allocations, with a portion reserved specifically for nationals of certain countries including Guatemala, El Salvador, and Haiti. The rule also allows greater job flexibility for H-2B workers already in the U.S. by letting them change employers more easily. Businesses must attest they are facing severe loss without these workers for their applications to be considered.