[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 121 (Friday, June 24, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-15392]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: June 24, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD 94-051]

 

Differential Global Positioning System, Northwest 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 findings of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for 
implementing a Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) Service in 
the Northwest 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 July 25, 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 LTJG Randy 
Navarro at (202) 267-1058 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:

LTJG Randy Navarro, Radionavigation Division, (202) 267-1048.

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 northwest 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 three sites 
along the northwest coastline for the DGPS equipment. The sites are in 
the vicinity of Fort Stevens, OR; Robinson Point, WA; and Whidbey 
Island, WA. 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 40 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 either an 
existing antenna or install a 90 foot guyed antenna with an 
accompanying ground plane. A ground plane for this 90 foot antenna 
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 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. At Whidbey Island, WA, mast height must be 
increased to approximately 40 feet to ensure that the visibility of 
satellites is not blocked by existing structures.
    (c) Equipment shelter--At each site, a 10 foot by 16 foot equipment 
hut will be needed to house the DGPS equipment.
    (d) Utilities--The Coast Guard proposes to use available commercial 
power as the primary source for the electronic equipment. However, 
existing diesel generators are available at each of the proposed sites, 
if backup power is needed. A telephone line will be required at each 
site for remote monitoring and operation.

Description of Each Site

    The Fort Steven, OR, site is located at the mouth of the Columbia 
River near Hammond, OR. The Coast Guard and OR State Historic 
Preservation Officer (SHPO) agree that the proposed project will have 
no effect on the historic property. The site will require installation 
of a 90 foot guyed transmit antenna and a 10 foot by 16 foot equipment 
building to house DGPS transmitting equipment.
    The Robinson Point, WA, site will be collocated at the Robinson 
Point Lighthouse on Maury Island, near the town of Burton, WA. The 
lighthouse is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The 
Coast Guard and WA SHPO agree that the proposed project will have no 
adverse effect on the historic property. This site is currently being 
used for radiobeacon operations and, as a result, has much of the 
infrastructure in place. The existing transmitting antenna will be used 
for DGPS transmissions. A 10 foot by 16 foot equipment hut will be 
installed to house the DGPS electronic equipment.
    The Whidbey Island, WA, site will be collocated at the U.S. Naval 
Communication Station Detachment (NAVCOMSTADET), Whidbey Island. This 
site has been used for related operations in the past and, as a result, 
has much of the infrastructure in place. There is an existing antenna 
available that will be used for DGPS transmissions. DGPS electronic 
equipment will be housed in an existing equipment building.
    Implementattion of a DGPS service in the Northwest Region is 
determined to have no significant effect on the quality of the human 
environment or requirement preparation of an Environmental Impact 
Statement.

    Dated: June 16, 1994.
R.C. Houle,
Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 94-15392 Filed 6-23-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M