[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 58 (Tuesday, March 26, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11320-11321]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-05693]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Transportation Security Administration


Review of the 2018 Biennial National Strategy for Transportation 
Security (NSTS)

AGENCY: Transportation Security Administration, DHS.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is publishing 
this notice to enhance the scope of the agency's consultation in 
developing the 2020 Biennial National Strategy for Transportation 
Security (2020 NSTS). Commenters are asked to review the 2018 NSTS base 
plan (which describes the risk-based foundation of the strategy and 
sets forth the mission, vision, goals, priorities, and risk-based 
actions to reduce the vulnerabilities of nationally significant 
transportation assets against terrorist threats) and submit any 
comments/edits/questions they may have to inform development of the 
2020 NSTS.

DATES: Submit comments by April 25, 2019.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be emailed to [email protected] 
or mailed to the Strategy, Policy Coordination, & Innovation Office 
(SP&I), Transportation Security Administration (TSA-28), 601 South 12th 
Street, Arlington, VA 20598-0028.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dianna Davis-Small at the above

[[Page 11321]]

address, or by telephone at (571) 227-5425.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The NSTS addresses the security of ``transportation assets in the 
United States that . . . must be protected from attack or disruption by 
terrorist or other hostile forces. . . .'' 49 U.S.C. 114(s)(3). The 
NSTS presents a forward-looking, risk-based plan to provide for the 
security and freedom of movement of people and goods while preserving 
civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy. It identifies objectives to 
enhance the security of transportation infrastructure, conveyances, 
workers, travelers, cargo, and operations.
    Consistent with its authorities, TSA's mission is to protect the 
nation's transportation systems from acts of terrorism, while its 
vision is an agile security agency, embodied by a professional 
workforce, that engages its partners and the American people to 
outmatch a dynamic threat. The NSTS is an important part of fulfilling 
this mission. TSA leads the development of the NSTS through joint 
participation with the Department of Transportation and in consultation 
with government partners and industry owners and operators. The 2018 
NSTS includes three objectives: (1) Manage risks to transportation 
systems from terrorist attacks and enhance system resilience, (2) 
enhance effective domain awareness of transportation systems and 
threats, and (3) safeguard privacy, civil liberties, and civil rights, 
and the freedom of movement of people and commerce.

Comments Invited

    TSA is soliciting comments through this notice to enhance the scope 
of consultation on the 2020 NSTS. Under the statutory requirement to 
develop the NSTS, TSA is also required to consult with ``Federal, 
State, and local agencies, tribal governments, private sector entities 
(including nonprofit employee labor organizations), institutions of 
higher learning, and other entities). See 49 U.S.C. 114(s)(7). TSA has 
consistently met that requirement through its regular stakeholder 
outreach efforts. For the 2020 NSTS, TSA is publishing this notice 
requesting comments to enhance input and ensure there are no untapped 
sources of information from governments, agencies, transportation-
related associations, private sector entities, labor organizations, 
institutions of higher learning, and other entities beyond the scope of 
our normal interaction with stakeholders.
    TSA is specifically requesting comments on issues that have the 
potential for significant impacts on the security and resilience of the 
transportation systems. Because the 2018 NSTS was delivered to Congress 
on April 4, 2018, the 2020 update will only require revisions to 
reflect recent changes in the risk environment. Respondents are asked 
to provide substantive revisions for any changes. We also request that 
with your comment submissions, you include your name, contact 
information, affiliation, and the mode or sector you are representing 
(if applicable). TSA will consider all comments received on or before 
the closing date for comments. Late-filed comments will be considered 
to the extent practicable.
    Please consider the following in your review.
     The NSTS is a counterterrorism strategy, not an all-
hazards plan.
     The NSTS addresses risk-based priorities to protect vital 
transportation assets from terrorist attack. Consistent with 49 U.S.C. 
114(s)(3)(A), the scope of vital transportation assets relevant to the 
NSTS is defined by whether, in the interests of national security and 
commerce, the asset must be protected from attack or disruption by 
terrorists or other hostile forces.
     The strategic environment considers the risks (threats, 
vulnerabilities, and potential consequences) of a terrorist attack.
    TSA is specifically interested in comments on the following issues:
     Does the 2018 NSTS adequately and accurately capture risk-
based priorities that identify the types of activities modal security 
officials in Government and industry should pursue to manage terrorism 
risks?
     Do the goals aggregate the major elements of the vision 
into basic, all-encompassing buckets (e.g., ``Manage Risks to 
Transportation Systems from Terrorist Attack and Enhance System 
Resilience'' underneath the Vision of ``A secure and resilient 
transportation system'')?
     Does the Path Forward address programmatic commitments 
needed to advance security of transportation assets and systems?
    The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the 2018 
NSTS, explain the reason for any recommended change, and include 
supporting data, information, or authority that supports such a 
recommended change. A copy of the 2018 Biennial NSTS can be found by 
accessing the TSA Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Reading Room via 
the following weblink: https://www.tsa.gov/sites/default/files/foia-readingroom/tsa_biennial_national_strategy_for_transportation_security_cleared_and_final_4.4.18_base_plan_pdf.pdf.

    Dated: March 15, 2019.
David P. Pekoske,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 2019-05693 Filed 3-25-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-05-P