[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 81 (Wednesday, April 27, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25035-25036]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-08991]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket Number USCG-2021-0191]


Final Record of Decision for the Waterways Commerce Cutter 
Acquisition Program's Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of availability of record of decision.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969 as amended and the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA 
Regulations, the Coast Guard has prepared a Record of Decision (ROD) 
for the Waterways Commerce Cutter (WCC) Program's acquisition and 
operation of a planned 30 WCCs and by this notice, is announcing the 
availability of the ROD. The Coast Guard's decision to implement 
Alternative 1, described in the WCC's Final Programmatic Environmental 
Impact Statement (PEIS), will enable the Coast Guard to fulfill Aids to 
Navigation (ATON) mission requirements that are supported by WCCs while 
implementing a full range of mitigation measures.

DATES: Mr. Aaron Pagnotti, Program Manager, signed the Record of 
Decision on April 22, 2022.

ADDRESSES: The Final ROD, the complete text of the Final PEIS, and 
supporting documents related to this decision are available in the 
docket which can be found by searching the docket number USCG-2021-0191 
using the Federal eRulemaking Portal at https://www.regulations.gov or 
at https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Engineering-Logistics-CG-4-/Program-Offices/Environmental-Management/Environmental-Planning-and-Historic-Preservation/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about the ROD, 
contact Lieutenant Commander S. Krolman, Waterways Commerce Cutter 
Program, U.S. Coast Guard; phone 202-475-3104; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969, Sections 4321 et seq. 
of Title 42 United States Code, and Council on Environmental Quality 
Regulations (Sections 1500-1508 of Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations 
[CFR]), the Coast Guard announces its decision to implement the Coast 
Guard's preferred Alternative, Alternative 1, including the full range 
of mitigation measures, as described in the WCC's Final PEIS. This 
decision will enable the Coast Guard to carry out primary missions 
supported by WCCs. A detailed description of Alternative 1 is provided 
in Chapter 2 (Proposed Action and Alternatives) of the WCC Final PEIS.
    In the Final PEIS, the Coast Guard identified the Proposed Action 
as its preferred alternative in meeting the purpose and need to fulfill 
ATON mission requirements in the Inland Waterways and Western Rivers 
proposed action area, which includes portions of the Alaska Inside 
Passage,

[[Page 25036]]

portions of the Great Lakes, and several other navigable waterways 
around the United States. The Proposed Action includes the acquisition 
and operation of a planned 30 WCCs to replace the capabilities of the 
existing inland tender fleet, thereby enabling the safe navigation of 
waters that support the nation's economy through maritime commerce 
throughout the Marine Transportation System.
    Following publication of a Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare a PEIS 
on April 19, 2021 (86 FR 20376), the Coast Guard held a public meeting 
on May 11, 2021 (86 FR 22444, April 28,2021), and then prepared a Draft 
PEIS in accordance with NEPA, as implemented by the CEQ Regulations (40 
CFR 1500 et seq.); DHS Directive Number 023-01, Rev. 01 and Instruction 
023-01-001, Rev. 01; and Coast Guard Commandant Instruction 5090.1. On 
September 24, 2021, the Coast Guard published a Notice of Availability 
(NOA) and a request for comments on the Draft PEIS (86 FR 53086). The 
Coast Guard considered and addressed in the Final PEIS comments 
received on the Draft PEIS during the comment period. Public comments 
did not result in substantive revisions or additions to the Draft PEIS. 
Responses to comments are in Appendix G of the Final PEIS.
    On March 18, 2022, a NOA of the Final PEIS published in the Federal 
Register (87 FR 15443) initiating a 30-day opportunity to object. The 
Coast Guard received two comments in support of selecting the preferred 
alternative and did not receive any eligible objections. The Final ROD 
documents the rationale for approving the Final PEIS and is consistent 
with the Reviewing Officer's instructions.
    Responsible Official: The Responsible Official for approving the 
Final ROD is Mr. Aaron Pagnotti, Program Mananger, who signed the ROD 
on April 22, 2022.

    Dated: April 22, 2022.
Aaron Pagnotti,
Waterways Commerce Cutter Program Manager.
[FR Doc. 2022-08991 Filed 4-26-22; 8:45 am]
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