[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 20021]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9536]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard

[CGD1-01-019]


Environmental Assessment and Finding of No Significant Impact for 
Establishment of U.S. Coast Guard Station (Small) Kings Point at the 
United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announces the availability of the 
Final Environmental Assessment (FEA) and Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI) regarding the establishment of U.S. Coast Guard Station 
(Small) Kings Point at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Kings 
Point, New York. This FEA evaluates the environmental and socioeconomic 
impacts of establishing the Coast Guard station along with the 
associated acquisition of property and building construction. It also 
includes comments received as a result of consultation with regulatory 
and other government agencies during development of the Environmental 
Assessment.

ADDRESSES: Written requests for copies of the Final Environmental 
Assessment and FONSI, or requests for information, should be directed 
to: Mr. Luke Dlhopolsky, U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit 
Providence, 300 Metro Center Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 or 
by calling (401) 736-1743.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For questions on this notice, the FEA 
or FONSI, or for general information on the U.S. Coast Guard's National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, please contact Mr. Luke 
Dlhopolsky, U.S. Coast Guard Civil Engineering Unit Providence, 300 
Metro Center Boulevard, Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 or by calling (401) 
736-1743.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Coast Guard Station at Fort Totten, 
New York was formally closed in 1997. In its place an Independent 
Maritime Response Vessel (IMARV) unit was established. The IMARV unit 
required little to no shore facility support since the assigned vessel 
was to serve as the unit operational equipment as well as provide 
berthing for the duty crew. This change allowed the Coast Guard to 
divert funding from maintenance of unneeded, aging shoreside structures 
at Station Fort Totten to more critical mission support. After a period 
of time that the IMARV was in operation from the pier at Fort Totten, 
it became apparent that the lack of work space and cramped quarters was 
making the IMARV concept untenable and it was formally discontinued in 
1998. Since it was determined that Coast Guard presence in the IMARV 
and former Station Fort Totten area of responsibility (AOR) was 
important to the safety of navigation, the Coast Guard decided that a 
permanent shore station needed to be re-established in the area. The EA 
analyzes three plausible alternatives with regard to this 
determination. The No Action Alternative would provide no nearby Coast 
Guard coverage in AOR once the IMARV vessel was no longer in service 
and the personnel were transferred elsewhere. This alternative was 
found to be unacceptable in the interest of the safety of navigation in 
the service area. Re-establishment of a Station at Fort Totten would 
involve significant costs to demolish existing structures and rebuild a 
suitable station multimission building. In addition, the aged and 
deteriorated utility infrastructure at Fort Totten is in need of major 
repair and/or replacement. These factors caused the Coast Guard to seek 
a third alternative to re-establish a shore station in the AOR, but at 
another similarly central site. Waterfront access and sufficient space 
to construct a new station building of suitable size was determined to 
be available at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, a 
short distance from Fort Totten. The Final EA incorporates the results 
of comments received from state and federal agencies consulted during 
development of the Environmental Assessment.
    The Final EA, FONSI and comments received during development of the 
EA are available for public inspection at the following locations:

USCG Civil Engineering Unit Providence, 300 Metro Center Boulevard, 
Warwick, Rhode Island 02886 (401) 736-1743.
First Coast Guard District Planning Staff, 408 Atlantic Avenue, Boston, 
Massachusetts 02110 (617) 223-8248.
Commandant (G-SEC), U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 2nd Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20593.

    Dated: February 23, 2001.
G.N. Naccara,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, First Coast Guard District.
[FR Doc. 01-9536 Filed 4-17-01; 8:45 am]
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