[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 186 (Tuesday, September 27, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-23894]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 27, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD 94-077]

 

Differential Global Positioning System, Gulf Intercoastal 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 Gulf Intercoastal 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 October 27, 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. 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) services in the Gulf Intercoastal 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 
grounding, collisions, personal injuries, fatalities, and potential 
hazardous cargo spills resulting from such incidents.
    After extensive study, the Coast Guard has selected five sites 
along the Gulf Intercoastal Corridor coastline for the DGPS equipment. 
The sites are in the vicinity of Aransas Pass, TX; Galveston, TX; 
English Turn, LA; Mobile Point, AL; and Egmont Key, FL. The sites are 
already used 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 use either an 
80 foot whip antenna or install a 90 foot guyed antenna with an 
accompanying ground plane. A ground plane for these antenna's consists 
of approximately 120 copper radials (6 gauge 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. (At Mobile Point, AL, mast height must be 
increased from 10 feet to approximately 20 feet to ensure the 
visibility of satellites is not blocked by existing structures. The 
mast foundations will be 5 feet 3 inches by 5 feet 3 inches by 4 feet 
and will be mounted right next to the transmitter building to minimize 
disturbance to the area.)
    (c) Equipment shelter--Existing radiobeacon equipment shelters will 
be used at each site 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 and may be utilized if backup 
power is needed. Telephone service is required at each site for remote 
monitoring and operation.

Description of Each Site

    Aransas Pass, TX--This is the site of an existing marine 
radiobeacon. It is collocated with Coast Guard Station Port Aransas in 
Port Aransas, TX. This site has previously been partially upgraded and 
is transmitting prototype DGPS signals for test and evaluation 
purposes.
    Galveston, TX--This is the site of an existing marine radiobeacon. 
It is located on East Beach near the South Jetty of Galveston Bay. This 
site has previously been partially upgraded and is transmitting 
prototype DGPS signals for test and evaluation purposes.
    English Turn, LA--The site is collocated at the USCG Communication 
Station, which is approximately 10 miles Southeast of New Orleans. This 
site has previously been partially upgraded and is transmitting 
prototype DGPS signals for test and evaluation purposes.
    Mobile Point, AL--The site is collocated at the Mobile Point Light, 
which is adjacent to Fort Morgan. Fort Morgan is listed in the National 
Register of Historic Places. The Coast Guard and AL State Historic 
Preservation Officer (SHPO) agree that the proposed project will have 
no effect on the adjacent fort.
    Egmont Key, FL--Located approximately 5 miles Southwest of St. 
Petersburg at the entrance to Tampa Bay. This radiobeacon transmitting 
site is collocated at the Egmont Key Lighthouse, which is listed on the 
National Register of Historic Places. This site has previously been 
partially upgraded and is transmitting prototype DGPS signals for test 
and evaluation purposes in conjunction with the State of Florida. The 
Coast Guard and FL State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) agree 
that the proposed project will have no effect on the adjacent 
lightstation.
    Implementation of a DGPS service in the Gulf Intercoastal 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: September 19, 1994.
R.C. Houle,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Chief, Office of Navigation Safety 
and Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 94-23894 Filed 9-26-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M