[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 136 (Friday, July 16, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 38498]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-17808]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-4765]


Coast Guard ``Optimize Training Infrastructure'' Initiative

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of selection of preferred alternative.

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SUMMARY: The Coast Guard announces the selection of a preferred 
alternative for the ``Optimize Training Infrastructure'' (OTI) 
Initiative. The OTI Initiative examines the ability of the Coast 
Guard's training infrastructure (training methods, personnel, and 
facilities) to support changing technological and operational 
conditions in an efficient, cost-effective manner.

DATES: In approximately four weeks, we will publish a notice in the 
Federal Register that announces the availability of the Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (PEA) and proposed Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) for public review, announces public meetings to be held 
in Petaluma, CA, Cape May, NJ, and Yorktown, VA, and requests comments.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the PEA and the proposed FONSI will be available 
at local libraries in Cape May, NJ, Petaluma, CA, and Yorktown, VA, and 
through the web site for the Department of Transportation's Docket 
Management System at http://dms.dot.gov (located at docket USCG-1998-
4765). All documents posted in the docket are available for inspection 
or copying at the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of 
Transportation, room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 
20590-0001, on the Plaza level of the Nassif Building between 9 a.m. 
and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this notice, the NEPA 
process, and NEPA documents, contact Ms. Susan Boyle, Commander(se), 
USCG-MLC Pacific, Coast Guard Island, Building #54D, Alameda, CA 94501, 
at 510-437-3973 or at e-mail CoastG[email protected]. For questions on the 
OTI Initiative, contact LCDR Keith Curran, Reserve and Training 
Directorate (G-WT), Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20593, at 202-267-2429 or at e-mail 
CoastG[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

The Preferred Alternative

    Under the preferred alternative, we would retain all four training 
centers and, where cost effective, fill any excess training capacity 
with non-training and training-related functions.
    This preferred alternative is based on the fact that the Coast 
Guard is currently experiencing a surge of new recruits--significantly 
increasing the demand on the Coast Guard's training system. Student 
flow has increased at the recruit and apprentice level training centers 
as recruiting efforts have increased. Additionally, many of our ships 
and stations have reduced crews, requiring individuals to be fully 
trained upon arrival at their new duty station, thereby increasing 
training demands. Therefore the Coast Guard plans to continue 
operations of all Training Centers and look into establishing ``Centers 
of Excellence'' to improve training development and delivery.
    Training and non-training units not currently located at one of the 
training centers will be evaluated for possible relocation to the 
TRACENs. Once specific units are identified for relocation, we would 
conduct and prepare any necessary additional environmental analyses and 
documentation.

    Dated: July 7, 1999.
J.B. Willis,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Acting Director of Training.
[FR Doc. 99-17808 Filed 7-15-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-M