[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5453-5454]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2093]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 95-004]
Differential Global Positioning System, Atlantic Intercoastal
Region; Environmental Assessment
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has prepared a Programmatic Environmental
Assessment (EA) and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for
implementing a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) Service in
the Atlantic Intercoastal Region of the United States. The EA concluded
that there will be no significant impact on the environment and that
preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement will not be necessary.
This notice announces the availability of the EA and FONSI and solicits
comments on them.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before February 27, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments may be mailed to the Executive Secretary, Marine
Safety Council, U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW.,
Washington, DC 20593-0001, or may be delivered to room 3406 at the same
address between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number is (202) 267-1477.
Copies of the EA and FONSI may be obtained by contacting LCDR
George Privon at (202) 267-0297 or faxing a request at (202) 267-4427.
A copy of the EA (less enclosures) is also available on the Electronic
Bulletin Board System (BBS) at the Navigation Information Center (NIC)
in Alexandria, VA, (703) 313-5910. For information on the BBS, call the
NIC watchstander at (703) 313-5900.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR George Privon, Radionavigation Division, (202) 267-0297.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
Copies of the Programmatic Environmental Assessment (EA) and
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) are available as described
under ADDRESSES. The Coast Guard encourages interested persons to
comment on these documents. The Coast Guard may revise these documents
in view of the comments. If revisions are warranted, availability of
the revised documents will be announced by a later notice in the
Federal Register.
Background
As required by Congress, the Coast Guard is preparing to install
the equipment necessary to implement a Differential Global Positioning
System (DGPS) service in the Atlantic Intercoastal Corridor area of the
United States. DGPS is a new radionavigation service that improves upon
the 100 meter accuracy of the existing Global Positioning System (GPS)
to provide an accuracy of better than 10 meters. For vessels, this
degree of accuracy is critical for precise electronic navigation in
harbors and harbor approaches and will reduce the number of vessel
groundings, collisions, personal injuries, fatalities, and potential
hazardous cargo spills resulting from such incidents.
After extensive study, the Coast Guard has selected five sites
along the Atlantic Intercoastal Corridor coastline for the DGPS
equipment. The sites are in the vicinity of Charleston, SC; Cape Henry,
VA; Fort Macon, NC; Cape Canaveral, FL; and Miami, FL. The sites are
already used for related purposes and were chosen, in part, because
their proposed use is consistent with their past and present use, thus
minimizing further impact on the environment. DGPS signal transmissions
will be broadcast in the marine radiobeacon frequency band (283.5 to
325 KHz) using less than 50 watts (effective radiated power). Signal
transmissions at these low frequency and power levels have not been
found to be harmful to the surrounding environment.
Proposed Installations at Each Site
(a) Radiobeacon Antenna--The Coast Guard proposes to use an
existing antenna or install a 90 foot guyed antenna with an
accompanying ground plane for sites as follows:
At Cape Henry, VA, the existing antenna and ground plane will be used.
At Miami, FL, the existing 74 foot antenna and ground plane will be
used.
At Cape Canaveral, FL, the existing ground plane will need to be
upgraded and the 74 foot antenna will be replaced with a 90 foot model
at the same location.
At Fort Macon, NC, and Charleston, SC the existing antenna and ground
plane will be used.
A ground plane for these antennas consists of approximately 120 copper
radials (6 gauge copper wire) installed 6 inches (or less) beneath the
soil and projecting outward from the antenna base. The optimum radial
length is 300 feet, but this length may be shortened to fit within
property boundaries. Wherever possible, a very effective cable plow
method will be utilized in the radial installation to minimize soil
disturbance. Installation of the ground plane may first require some
clearing of trees and bushes.
(b) DGPS Antennas--Each site will require two 10 foot masts to
support four small (4 inches by 18 inches diameter) receiving antennas.
The masts will be installed on concrete foundations. These masts are
needed to support the primary and backup reference receivers and
integrity monitors. The location of the two masts will be in the
vicinity of the electronic equipment building or hut, but at least
[[Page 5454]] 50 feet to 100 feet from existing structures.
(c) Equipment shelter--DGPS transmitting equipment will be housed
in existing equipment facilities with the possible exception of Fort
Macon, NC, which may require upgrading the structure to hold the
additional electronic equipment.
(d) Utilities--The Coast Guard proposes to use available commercial
power as the primary source for the electronic equipment. A telephone
line will be required at each site to allow for remote monitoring and
operation.
Description of Each Site
Charleston, SC--The site is co-located at the Charleston Light
Station, which is on Sullivans island.
Cape Canaveral, FL--Located approximately 10 miles Northeast of
Cocoa Beach on the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
Miami, FL--Located approximately 12 miles Northeast of Coral Gables
on the Virginia Key island.
Cape Henry, VA--This site is located on the Fort Story Military
Reservation, which is adjacent to the Cape Henry Light. The light is
listed on the National Register. The Coast Guard and VA SHPO agree the
proposed project will have no adverse effect on the historic property.
The radiobeacon equipment has already been partially upgraded and is
transmitting prototype DGPS signals for test and evaluation purposes.
Fort Macon, NC--The site is co-located at the USCG Base Fort Macon,
which is near the historic Fort Macon. The Coast Guard and NC SHPO
agree that the proposed project will have no adverse effect on the
historic property.
Implementation of a DGPS service in the Atlantic Intercoastal
Regional is determined to have no significant effect on the quality of
the human environment or require preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement.
Dated: January 19, 1995.
G.A. Penington,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and
Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-2093 Filed 1-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
