[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]
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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.
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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]
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