[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 32 (Thursday, February 19, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Page 7663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-3494]


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

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Telecommunications and Information Administration

[Docket No. 090210159-9160-01]


Notice of Availability of a Final Programmatic Environmental 
Assessment (PEA) and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for 
the Public Safety Interoperable Communications (PSIC) Grant Program

AGENCY: National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
U.S. Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice; request for comments.

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

SUMMARY: The National Telecommunications and Information Administration 
(NTIA) publishes this notice of availability to announce a 30-day 
comment period for a Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) 
and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) written to evaluate 
the environmental impact of the Public Safety Interoperable 
Communications (PSIC) Grant Program. The Final PEA and Draft FONSI for 
the PSIC Grant Program are available for public review and comment. 
NTIA seeks public comment on the Final PEA and Draft FONSI from all 
interested parties.

DATES: Comments on the Final PEA and Draft FONSI must be received on or 
before March 23, 2009.

ADDRESSES: The Final PEA and Draft FONSI are available online at: 
http://www.regulations.gov with detailed instructions for making 
comments. Alternatively, written comments may be submitted to Ms. Laura 
Pettus, PSIC Grant Program, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration, Room 4812, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 
20230. The Final PEA and Draft FONSI will also be available on NTIA's 
website at http://www.ntia.doc.gov/psic. All comments submitted will be 
posted on Regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Written requests for a hard copy of 
the Final PEA and the Draft FONSI should be submitted to: Ms. Laura 
Pettus, National Telecommunications and Information Administration, 
Room 4812, 1401 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20230.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Digital Television Transition and Public 
Safety Act of 2005 directed NTIA, in consultation with the Department 
of Homeland Security (DHS), to establish and administer a grant program 
to assist public safety agencies in the advancement of interoperable 
communications.\1\ The Act authorized NTIA to make payments not to 
exceed $1 billion, in the aggregate, through fiscal year 2010 to carry 
out the PSIC program. The grant program assisted public safety agencies 
in the acquisition of, deployment of, or training for the use of 
interoperable communications systems that can utilize reallocated 
public safety spectrum in the 700 MHz band for radio communication.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ The Digital Television Transition and Public Safety Act of 
2005 Sec.  3006, 47 U.S.C. Sec.  309 note (2008), Pub. L. No. 109-
171, 120 Stat. 25. The PSIC grant program requirements were 
subsequently amended by the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 
Commission Act of 2007 Sec.  2201, 47 U.S.C. Sec.  309 note (2008), 
Pub. L. No. 110-53, 121 Stat. 276.
    \2\ For additional information regarding the PSIC Grant Program, 
see, Public Safety Interoperable Communications Grant Program, 
Improving Interoperable Communications Nationwide: Overview of 
Initial State and Territory Investments, available at, http://
www.ntia.doc.gov/psic/ PSIC%20Investment%20Data%20Analysis%20 
(report%20only).pdf.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    On September 30, 2007, the Public Safety Interoperable 
Communications (PSIC) Grant Program awarded $968,385,000 to fund 
interoperable communications projects from the 56 States and 
Territories.\3\ These awards represent the largest single infusion of 
Federal funding ever provided for State, Territory, and local agencies 
to implement communications solutions.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \3\ Section 4 of the Call Home Act of 2006, 47 U.S.C. Sec.  309 
note (2008), Pub. L. No. 109-459, 120 Stat. 3399, mandated that all 
PSIC funds be awarded by September 30, 2007.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    NTIA prepared the final PEA and draft FONSI in accordance with the 
requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) 
and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations for 
implementing NEPA.\4\ The public is invited to submit comments on both 
documents. See the ADDRESSES for instructions on submitting comments. 
The final PEA and draft FONSI may be reviewed at http://
www.regulations.gov or on NTIA's website as noted above. In addition, 
copies may be obtained by writing to Ms. Laura Pettus as provided 
above.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \4\ National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. Sec.  
4321 (2008); Council on Environmental Quality for Implementing the 
Procedural Provisions of NEPA, 40 C.F.R. parts 1500-1508 (2008).

    Dated: February 13, 2009.
Kathy D. Smith,
Chief Counsel, National Telecommunications and Information 
Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-3494 Filed 2-18-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-60-S