[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]
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