[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 114 (Wednesday, June 12, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29786-29787]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14865]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 96-028]
Differential Global Positioning System; Geiger Key, Florida:
Environmental Assessment and Finding
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EO)
and proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for its
activating of a broadcast site of the Differential Global Positioning
System (DGPS) service at Geiger Key, Florida. The EA concludes 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 proposed FONSI and
solicits comments on them.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before July 12, 1996.
ADDRESS: 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.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR Gene Schlechte, United States Coast Guard Navigation Center, at
(703) 313-5888. Copies of the EA and proposed FONSI may be obtained by
calling Mr. Schlechte, or by faxing him at (703) 313-5920. Copies of
the EA--without enclosures--are also available on the Electronic
Bulletin Board System (BBS) at the Navigation Information Service (NIS)
in Alexandria, Virginia, at (703) 313-5910. For information on the BBS,
call the watchstander of NIS at (703) 313-5900.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Request for Comments
Copies of the EA and proposed FONSI are available for the address
given in ADDRESS and from the numbers given in
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Coast Guard encourages interested
persons to submit comments on these documents. It may revise these
documents in view of the comments. If it does, it will announce their
availability in revised form 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 the Differential Global
Positioning System (DGPS) service in the southeastern 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 8 to 20 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 a preferred
alternative at Geiger Key, Monroe County, FL. Significant concerns were
raised about siting DGPS equipment at the alternative site at U.S.
Coast Guard Base Key West, Monroe County, FL. The close proximity to
the docking facilities to the transmitting antenna has the potential to
adversely affect CG and Naval vessels carrying ordnance. The RF
radiation of the antenna also has the potential of interfering with
Group Key West communications adjacent to the proposed project area. In
addition, the density of existing structures and the planned growth
(new construction) of the base has the potential to create satellite
signal reception errors due to multipath distortion from the buildings,
vessels, and vehicles. Such reception errors will adversely effect the
performance and safety function of the DGPS service provided. DGPS
signal transmissions will be broadcast in the marine radiobeacon
frequency band (283.5 to 325 KHz) using less than 35 watts (effective
radiated power). Signal transmissions at these low frequencies and
power levels have not been found to be harmful to the surrounding
environment.
Proposed Installation at Geiger Key, FL
(a) Site--The Geiger Key, FL, site is located on the U.S. Naval Air
Station (NAS) Key West, FL. The site is located on Geiger Key lying and
being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida being more particularly
described as follows: Lot 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, Block 16
of ``Boca Chica Ocean Shores'' as recorded in Plat Book 5 at Page 49 of
Public Records of Monroe County, Florida.
(b) Radiobeacon Antenna--The Coast Guard will install a 74 foot
self supporting whip antenna with an accompanying ground plane. A
ground plane for this 90 foot antenna consists of approximately 120
copper radials (6 gauge copper wire) installed 6 inches (or less)
beneath soil and projecting outward from the antenna base. The
[[Page 29787]]
optimum radial length is 300 feet, but this length may be shortened to
fit within property boundaries. Wherever possible, a cable plow method
will be used in the radial installation to minimize soil disturbance.
(c) DGPS Antennas--Two 30 foot masts to support six small (4 inches
by 18 inches diameter) receiving antennas will be required. The masts
will be installed on concrete foundations. The antennas support the
primary and backup reference receivers and integrity monitors.
(d) Equipment shelter--DGPS transmitting equipment will be housed
in a 10 foot 8 inch by 16 foot 8 inch shelter.
(e) Ultilities--The Coast Guard proposes to use available
commercial power as the primary source for the electronic equipment
with battery power as a backup. A telephone line and modem will be
required at each site for remote monitoring and operation.
Proposed Finding
Implementation of a DGPS service at Geiger Key, FL, is determined
to have no significant effect on the quality of the human environment
or require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.
Dated: June 6, 1996.
N.T. Saunders,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-14865 Filed 6-11-96; 8:45 am]
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