CI Chemical Security Web Page Updated 06-28-11

Today the folks at DHS updated their Critical Infrastructure: Chemical Security web page. No new information, but they did remove the reference/link to the ammonium nitrate regulation process.

Ammonium Nitrate Rule

That old reference stated that:

“Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Secure Handling of Ammonium Nitrate Program: Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking”

I immediately suspected that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had finally gotten around to approving the Notice of Proposed Rule Making for the same program. That would have made this link effectively out-of-date. Double checking the OIRA web site I found no announcement; of course they don’t post today’s announcements until tomorrow so I’m not absolutely sure that the NPRM hasn’t been approved. Besides, the web site people wouldn’t normally get the word that quickly.

BTW: I’m still hoping that the removal of the ANPRM note reflects the imminent release of the NPRM. Rest assured I’ll be watching and reporting.

Page Tools Removed

Another minor change was the removal of the ‘Page Tools’ section that provided links for printing the page, requesting email updates and subscribing to an RSS feed. The first is easy enough to do from one’s browser page. The second is already covered by a banner link near the top of the page. I don’t know why the RSS feed tool was removed, but the link still works; so if you’re interested here it is http://www.dhs.gov/xutil/feeds.shtm.

No NTAS Link

Also missing from the page is any link to or notice about the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS). The earlier version of this page included a link to the old color coded system, but it may have been removed when the NTAS went into effect last month. I might not have noticed that.

Dead Link to Reporting Information

There is still a link on the page to the CFATS Tip Line. The link is supposed to go to FAQ #1620, but because of the way that the links for FAQs are now handled it just goes to the CFATS Knowledge Center page. One would have to enter “CFATS Tip Line” in the search box and then be faced with a list of 80 FAQs that are offered as a response to that search (FAQ #1620 is the first on the list today). The same information is available on the Report Incidents page. That is really where this link should take someone.