[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 157 (Tuesday, August 16, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20026]
[[Page Unknown]]
[Federal Register: August 16, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 94-058]
Differential Global Positioning System, St. Marys River/Lake
Huron Corridor 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 St. Marys River/Lake Huron Corridor 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 September 15, 1994.
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 GPS Information Center (GPSIC) in
Alexandria, VA, (703) 313-5910. For information on the BBS, call the
GPSIC 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 St. Marys River/Lake Huron 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 sties
along the St. Marys River/Lake Huron Corridor for the DGPS equipment.
The sites are in the vicinity of Detroit, MI: Saginaw Bay, MI;
Cheboygan, MI; Neebish Island, MI; and Whitefish Point, MI. The sites
are used already 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 install a 90
foot guyed antenna with an accompanying ground plane except at
Whitefish Point where the existing whip antenna will be used. A ground
plane for these antenna's consists of approximately 120 copper radials
(6 guage copper wire) installed 6 inches (or less) beneath the soil and
projecting outward from the antenna base. The optimum radial length is
between 200-300 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. Installation of the ground
plane may require some clearing of trees and bushes on the site.
(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 a concrete foundation measuring
approximately 3 feet by 3 feet by 15 inches. 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 50 feet to 100 feet
from existing structures.
(c) Equipment shelter--A 10 foot by 16 foot equipment hut will be
needed to house the DGPS equipment at each site except at Whitefish
Point, where the existing equipment building will be used.
(d) Utilities--The Coast Guard proposes to use available commercial
power as the primary source for the electronic equipment. However, an
existing diesel generator is available at the Whitefish Point site and
may be utilized if backup power is needed. A telephone line will be
required at each site for remote monitoring and operation.
Description of Each Site
The Detroit, MI site is located on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
boat yard property, which is located adjacent to Fort Wayne. The site
will require installation of a 90 foot guyed transmit antenna. In
addition, a 10 foot by 16 foot equipment hut will be installed to house
the DGPS electronic equipment.
The Saginaw Bay, MI site is located on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
field office property, which is located near Essexville, MI. The site
will require installation of a 90 foot guyed transmit antenna and a 10
foot by 16 foot equipment hut to house the DGPS electronic equipment.
The Cheboygan, MI site is located on U.S. Coast Guard property in
the city of Cheboygan, MI near the intersection of Western Avenue and
Lincoln Avenue. The site will require installation of a 90 foot guyed
transmit antenna and a 10 foot by 16 foot equipment hut to house the
DGPS electronic equipment.
The Neebish Island, MI site is located on the north end of the
island, at the Neebish Cell Dock, and within U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers property. The site will require installation of a 60 foot
guyed antenna and a 10 foot by 16 foot equipment hut to house the DGPS
electronic equipment.
The Whitefish Point Light Station, MI site is located on the upper
peninsula approximately 35 miles northeast of Sault Ste Marie. The
existing radiobeacon has already been partially upgraded and is
transmitting prototype DGPS signals for test and evaluation purposes.
The existing radiobeacon transmit antenna will be used and the DGPS
equipment will be housed in the existing equipment hut. The light is
listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Coast Guard and
MI State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) agree that the proposed
project will have no effect on the historic property.
Implementation of a DGPS service in the St. Marys River/Lake Huron
Corridor Region is determined to have no significant effect on the
quality of the human environment or require preparation of an
Environmental Impact Statement.
Dated: August 8, 1994.
R.C. Houle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 94-20026 Filed 8-15-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
