DHS Updates Counterterrorism Laws & Regulations Webpage

Late last month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) updated its Laws & Regulations webpage in the Counterterrorism section of its website. Under Chemical Security, DHS updated the Paperwork Reduction Act Notices for Comment subsection by adding three notes regarding Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval of three Information Collection Requests (ICRs): OMB Collection #'s 1670-0007, 1670-0014, and 1670-0015. All three of these ICRs will be good until March 19, 2013.

OMB Collection #1670-0007

OMB 1670-0007 was an update of a previously-approved ICR dealing with the basic forms included in the Chemical Security Assessment Tool (CSAT). It includes the forms for: CFATS Helpdesk, Chemical-terrorism Vulnerability Information (CVI) Authorization, CSAT User Registration, CSAT Top-Screen, CSAT Security Vulnerability Assessment (SVA), CSAT Alternative Security Program (ASP) submitted in lieu of the CSAT SVA, CSAT Site Security Plan (SSP), and ASP submitted in lieu of the CSAT SSP.

This update included a significant decrease in the number of expected annual responses expected for these forms, based on the fact that most facilities who have already submitted the initial CFATS Top-Screen will not submit future additional Top-Screens or SVAs, unless there is a significant modification in the amount or type of COI stored on site.

OMB Collection #1670-0014

OMB 1670-0014 was a new request covering forms used in: Request for Redetermination, Request for an Extension, Notification of New Top-Screen, and Request for a Technical Consultation. These forms were not included in the original CSAT ICR and are an outgrowth of the original CFATS documents.

OMB Collection #1670-0015

OMB 1670-0015 was a new request covering forms used in the administration of CVI. These forms include: the Chemical-terrorism Vulnerability Information Tracking Log, Notification of CVI Access Exigent Circumstances, Report of Potential Release of CVI, Request for Determination of CVI, CVI Authority, and Determination of a Public Official’s Need to Know. With the exception of the CVI Authority, these forms were not included in the original CSAT ICR.