[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 30, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16604-16605]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-06461]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2021-0178]


Consolidation of Redundant Coast Guard Boat Stations--Decision

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of decision.

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SUMMARY: On February 14, 2020, the Coast Guard announced the potential 
consolidation of several redundant Coast Guard boat stations and 
solicited public comments to inform the decision making process. After 
reading the public comments, the Coast Guard has decided to consolidate 
four (4) Coast Guard boat stations to increase staffing and capacity 
levels at nearby boat stations that are better equipped to respond to 
calls for rescue.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about this document 
call or email Todd Aikins, Coast Guard Office of Boat Forces; telephone 
202-372-2463], email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background and Purpose

    This notice is issued under authority of 14 U.S.C. 909 and 910. The 
Coast Guard engaged in public outreach and connected with locals in the 
area of the boat stations to be closed. Opportunities were provided for 
a public meeting, but because of the pandemic it was decided that such 
collaboration was better done virtually.

Response to Public Comments

    The Coast Guard received 111 distinct public submissions in 
response to the Federal Register Notice. Five supported the 
consolidations, while 106 raised concerns (one of the five supporting 
comments recommended consolidating a single station as a proof of 
concept).
    In the following discussion, we summarize the reasons or 
information some commenters gave in support of their position or 
recommendation. After each summary, we state our response.
    No comments were submitted with concerns about the consolidation of 
Station(small) Roosevelt Inlet.
    No comments were submitted with concerns about the consolidation of 
Station(small) Salem.
    Two comments were submitted with concerns about the consolidation 
of Station(small) Shark River. One comment noted that a fast response 
is needed in the area, while the other asked that the decision be 
postponed until after the local COVID stay-at-home orders were lifted. 
The Coast Guard complied with the latter comment, and is following the 
findings of contractor analyses and the referenced GAO report that 
finds the remaining response sufficient in this area, most notably from 
Station Manasquan Inlet, fewer than ten miles away.
    Four comments were submitted with concerns about the consolidation 
of Station(small) Fishers Island. All comments noted the area near Race 
Rock Lighthouse and its treacherous current, necessitating a fast Coast 
Guard Response. The Coast Guard is following the findings of contractor 
analyses and the referenced GAO report that finds the remaining 
response sufficient in this area, most notably from Station New London, 
fewer than ten miles away.
    One hundred comments were submitted with concerns about the 
consolidation of Station Oxford. Twenty comments were general in 
nature, stating that the station is important and should not be closed. 
69 comments noted that the area near Station Oxford is heavily worked 
and traveled, local resources have limited crews and hours, and that 
response from Station Annapolis would take too long. Six comments noted 
that Station Oxford was necessary for local triathlons, regattas, and 
other races. Three comments noted that boat safety checks are crucial 
to limiting the number of mariners in distress in the area. One comment 
noted that Station Oxford is critical to LMR in Terrapin Cover. One 
commenter felt that the data used in the studies was outdated and took 
issue with the fact that only the Coast Guard Districts with the most 
redundancy were included in the analyses instead of every station. In 
response to these concerns, Station Oxford will be removed as a 
candidate for closure in FY21 and analyzed further.


[[Page 16605]]


    Dated: March 23, 2021.
J.B. Rush,
Captain, U.S. Coast Guard, Chief, Office of Boat Forces.
[FR Doc. 2021-06461 Filed 3-29-21; 8:45 am]
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