[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 139 (Thursday, July 20, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37491-37492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-17877]



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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[CGD-95-059]


National Environmental Policy Act Environmental Assessments for 
the Second, Fifth, and Ninth Coast Guard Districts' Marine Events

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969; the 
Council of Environmental Quality Regulations; and the Coast Guard 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) Implementing Procedures, the 
Coast Guard gives notice of the availability of Environmental 
Assessments (EA's) and proposed Findings of No Significant Impacts 
(FONSI's) for public review. The EA's and proposed FONSI's have been 
prepared for marine event permitting in the Greater Mississippi 
Drainage by the Second Coast Guard District; marine event permitting in 
the Mid-Atlantic Seaboard by the Fifth Coast Guard District; and marine 
event permitting in the Great Lakes by the Ninth Coast Guard District.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before August 21, 1995.

ADDRESSES: Comments, questions, or requests for copies of the EA's and 
proposed FONSI's should be sent to Gary Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard Civil 
Engineering Unit, room 2179, 1240 East Ninth Street, Cleveland, Ohio, 
44199-2060. The comments will be available for inspection and copying 
at the address listed above. Normal office hours are between 8 a.m. and 
4 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Comments may also be 
hand delivered to this address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gary Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard, Civil 
Engineering Unit, (216) 522-3934 ext. 635.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Proposed Action

    The preparation and announcement of EA's and proposed FONSI's on 
marine event permitting for the Second, Fifth, and Ninth Coast Guard 
Districts.

Alternatives

    Not permitting the marine events was the only alternative 
identified.

Coordination

    In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, as 
amended and Coast Guard policy, the Coast Guard encourages all 
interested or affected parties to participate in the public review 
process. This process includes public participation to integrate 
information regarding public needs and concerns into the environmental 
document. Comments should specifically describe environmental issues or 
topics which the commentator believes the document should address.

Discussion of Announcement

    These EA's and proposed FONSI's address the impact of permitting 
several marine events for festivals, parades, swimming competition, 
paddling, rowing, floating, windsurfing, sailing races over 50 or 100 
craft, fireworks displays, water-skiing, fishing tournaments, powerboat 
races, and air shows. During 1995 and each year thereafter the Coast 
Guard proposes to permit these events within the Districts.
    The Coast Guard issues Marine Event Permits pursuant to 33 U.S.C. 
1233 as set out in the authority citation for all of 33 CFR Part 100. 
Marine Event Permits represent a federal agency action subject to 
review procedures established to implement the National Environmental 
Policy Act (NEPA). In a Notice of Final Agency Procedures published in 
(59 FR 38654; July 29, 1994) the Coast Guard revised its procedures and 
policies concerning certain agency actions which it has determined 
would have no significant individual or cumulative effects on the human 
environment. In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, 
these actions are categorically excluded from the requirement for 

[[Page 37492]]
additional analysis needed to prepare an EA or an Environmental Impact 
Statement (EIS). The revised procedures do not identify many types of 
activities as the event types which qualify as a categorically excluded 
action under ``Routine Approvals of Regatta and Marine Parade 
permits''. Therefore, these EA's and proposed FONSI's are written in 
order to comply with our procedures for NEPA implementation.

    Drafting Information: The drafter of this announcement is Gary 
Nelson, U.S. Coast Guard, Civil Engineering Unit, Cleveland, Ohio.

    Dated: July 13, 1995.
Rudy K. Peschel,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Navigation Safety and 
Waterway Services.
[FR Doc. 95-17877 Filed 7-19-95; 8:45 am]
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