[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 9, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 40631-40632]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-19560]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 95-066]
National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessment for
U.S. Coast Guard Activities Along the U.S. Atlantic Coast
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.
ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. .
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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the
Council on Environmental Quality Regulations, and the Coast Guard
National Environmental Policy Act
[[Page 40632]]
(NEPA) Implementing Procedures, the Coast Guard gives notice of the
availability of an Environmental Assessment (EA) and a proposed Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for public review and comment. The EA
and proposed FONSI have been prepared for Coast Guard operations in the
marine environment of the Atlantic coast from the northern tip of Maine
south to Puerto Rico. The EA focuses on six whale and five turtle
endangered or threatened species.
DATES: Comments must be received on or before September 8, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, or requests for copies of the EA and
the proposed FONSI should be mailed or delivered to LCDR Wesley
Marquardt, U.S. Coast Guard, Commandant (G-NIO), 2100 Second Street
SW., Room 1201-A, Washington, DC 20593-0001. The comments will be
available for inspection and copying in room 1201-A at the address
listed above. Normal office hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, except holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
LCDR Wesley C. Marquardt, U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Navigation Safety
and Waterway Services, (202) 267-1454.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Discussion of Environmental Assessment
The EA and proposed FONSI address the impact of continuing to
perform the missions assigned to U.S. Coast Guard along the Atlantic
coast. These missions include but are not limited to: search and
rescue; providing and maintaining aids to navigation; law enforcement;
treaty enforcement; migrant interdiction; disaster relief; vessel
traffic control; marine safety and environmental protection.
In order to perform all of these missions, it is necessary for U.S.
Coast Guard vessels and aircraft to share the same areas along the
Atlantic coast that are frequented by six whale and five turtle species
which are listed as protected species.
The Environmental Assessment discusses the alternatives considered
and selects the alternative most likely to result in no significant
impact to the listed species. That alternative would modify methods of
performance of USCG activities to provide protection for endangered or
threatened species of whales and sea turtles and their critical
habitats in U.S. waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Changes in USCG methods
of performance would be limited to those that do not significantly
increase risks to human health, property, and the environment. The
modifications proposed would include increased training and awareness
of Coast Guard personnel and decreased operating speeds for vessels in
the areas frequented by the endangered or threatened species.
Request for Comments
The Coast Guard has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and
proposed Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) on U.S. Coast Guard
activities along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. This notice announces the
availability of the EA and proposed FONSI for public review and
comment. In accordance with NEPA, as amended, and Coast Guard Policy,
the Coast Guard encourages all interested or affected parties to
participate in the public review process for this EA. Comments should
specifically identify the environmental issues, topics, or information
in the EA to which the comment applies. Comments, questions, or
requests for copies of the EA and the proposed FONSI should be mailed
or delivered to LCDR Wesley Marquardt at the address contained in
ADDRESSES.
Dated: August 3, 1995.
Rudy K. Peschel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and
Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-19560 Filed 8-8-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M
