[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 235 (Thursday, December 5, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64561-64562]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-30935]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Coast Guard
[CGD 96-064]


Differential Global Positioning System; Geiger Key, Florida: 
Environmental Assessment and Finding.

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Coast Guard has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) 
and Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for establishment of a 
broadcast site of the Differential Global Positioning System (DGPS) 
service at Geiger Key, Florida. The EA concludes that there will be no 
significant impact on the environment and that preparation of an 
Environmental Impact Statement will not be necessary. This EA 
incorporates minor textual clarifications noted during further review 
and includes copies of the US Army Corps of Engineers and State of 
Florida wetlands permits. This Notice announces the availability of the 
EA and FONSI.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: LCDR Gene Schlechte, United States 
Coast Guard Navigation Center at (703) 313-5888. Copies of the EA and 
FONSI may be obtained by calling Mr. Schlechte, or by faxing him at 
(703) 313-5920. Copies of the EA--without enclosures--are also 
available on the Electronic Bulletin Board System (BBS) at the 
Navigation Information Service (NIS) in Alexandria, Virginia, at (703) 
313-5910. For information on the BBS, call the watchstander of NIS at 
(703) 313-5900.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    As required by Congress, the Coast Guard is preparing to install 
the equipment necessary to implement the Differential Global 
Positioning System (DGPS) service in the southeastern United States. 
DGPS is a new radionavigation service that improves upon the 100 meter 
accuracy of the existing Global Positioning System (GPS). USCG DGPS 
fielded sites are achieving accuracies on the order of 1 meter. 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 a preferred 
alternative site at Geiger Key, Monroe County, FL. Significant concerns 
were raised about installing DGPS equipment at an alternate site 
located at U.S. Coast Guard Base Key West, Monroe County, FL. At the 
Base Key West site, close proximity of the docking facilities to the 
transmitting antenna has the potential to adversely affect Coast Guard 
and Naval vessels carrying ordnance. The radio frequency radiation of 
the antenna also has the potential of interfering with Group Key West 
communications adjacent to the proposed project area. In addition, the 
density of existing structures and the planned growth (new 
construction) of the base has the potential to create satellite signal 
reception errors due to multipath distortion from the buildings, 
vessels, and vehicles. Such errors would adversely affect the 
performance and safety function of the DGPS service.

Selected Installation at Geiger Key, FL

    (a) Site--The Geiger Key, FL, site is located on the U.S. Naval Air 
Station (NAS) Key West, FL. The site is located on Geiger Key lying and 
being in the County of Monroe, State of Florida being more particularly 
described as follows: Lot 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, Block 16 
of ``Boca Chica Ocean Shores'' as recorded in Plat Book 5 on Page 49 of 
Public Records of Monroe County, Florida.
    (b) Radiobeacon Antenna--The Coast Guard will install a 74 foot 
self supporting whip antenna with an accompanying ground plane. A 
ground plane for this 74 foot antenna 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 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. 
DGPS signal transmissions will be broadcast in the marine radiobeacon 
frequency band (283.5 to 325 KHz) using less than 35 watts (effective 
radiated power). Signal transmissions at these low frequencies and 
power levels have not been found to be harmful to the surrounding 
environment.
    (c) DGPS Antennas--Two 30-foot masts to support six small (4 inches 
by 18 inches diameter) receiving antennas will be required. The masts 
will be installed on concrete foundations. The antennas support the 
primary and backup reference receivers and integrity monitors.
    (d) Equipment shelter--DGPS transmitting equipment will be housed 
in a 10 foot 8 inch by 16 foot 8 inch shelter.

[[Page 64562]]

    (e) Utilities--The Coast Guard will use available commercial power 
as the primary source for the electronic equipment with battery power 
as a backup. A telephone line and modem will be required at each site 
for remote monitoring and operation.

Finding

    Implementation of a DGPS service at Geiger Key, FL, is determined 
to have no significant effect on the quality of the human environment 
or require preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement.

    Dated: November 27, 1996.
N. T. Saunders,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Operations.
[FR Doc. 96-30935 Filed 12-4-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-14-M