[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 30803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15036]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-3584]
Proposed Modernization of the Coast Guard National Distress
System
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of the availability of the USCG draft Programmatic
Environmental Assessment and request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the
Coast Guard requests comment on its draft of the Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the National Distress System
Modernization Project (NDSMP). The PEA is posted on the Internet for
review. This environmental assessment examines in detail: (1) The
reasonable alternatives available to the USCG to fulfill current
mission needs for an efficient, cost-effective, and technologically
improved NDS; and (2) the potential for significant environmental
impacts from each alternative. The precise solution to the Coast
Guard's NDS modernization needs will ultimately be selected through a
fully competitive process with industry offering a variety of potential
solutions. At this time, and in compliance with NEPA, the PEA
identifies the replacement system as using dual mode (digital and
analog) transceivers. In the digital mode these transceivers would be
programmable and adaptable to digital signal processing technologies
and narrow band channel spacing. In the analog mode, the transceivers
would be compatible with VHF marine radios in use by the maritime
public. This alternative integrates radio position localization,
Digital Select Calling (DSC), encryption capability, digital recording
equipment, and data transmission capability. This option also
incorporates more radio spectrum, and increases communication coverage
for the modernized NDS. It is expected that additional antenna sites
will be added in coastal locations. The PEA is available at the
Internet web site:
http://comms.rdc.uscg.mil/NDSmod/NDS.html
or
http://dms.dot.gov/
Please review the PEA located at the Internet web site and send any
comments in writing to the address provided below. Early comments are
encouraged. If you would like to review a copy of the PEA and are
unable to access our web site, please contact Mr. Dan Muslin at (619)
532-3403, or at the address listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.
DATES: Comments must be received by July 6, 1998.
ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Docket Management Facility,
[USCG-1998-3584], U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, or deliver them to room
PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same
address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except
Federal holidays. The telephone number to the Docket Management
Facility is (202) 366-9329.
The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this
notice. Comments, and documents as indicated in this notice, will
become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or
copying at room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif
Building at the above address between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday
through Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Dan Muslin, telephone: (619) 532-3403, Naval Facilities Engineering
Command, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132-5190, for questions
concerning this notice, the proposed modernization project, or the
associated EA. For questions concerning the Docket Management Facility
contact Paulette Twine, Chief, Documentary Services, Division, U.S.
Department of Transportation, telephone (202) 366-9329.
Dated: May 28, 1998.
Fred N. Squires,
Acting Assistant Commandant for Acquisition.
[FR Doc. 98-15036 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M
