[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 108 (Friday, June 5, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 30803]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-15036]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Coast Guard
[USCG-1998-3584]


Proposed Modernization of the Coast Guard National Distress 
System

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of the availability of the USCG draft Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act, the 
Coast Guard requests comment on its draft of the Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment (PEA) for the National Distress System 
Modernization Project (NDSMP). The PEA is posted on the Internet for 
review. This environmental assessment examines in detail: (1) The 
reasonable alternatives available to the USCG to fulfill current 
mission needs for an efficient, cost-effective, and technologically 
improved NDS; and (2) the potential for significant environmental 
impacts from each alternative. The precise solution to the Coast 
Guard's NDS modernization needs will ultimately be selected through a 
fully competitive process with industry offering a variety of potential 
solutions. At this time, and in compliance with NEPA, the PEA 
identifies the replacement system as using dual mode (digital and 
analog) transceivers. In the digital mode these transceivers would be 
programmable and adaptable to digital signal processing technologies 
and narrow band channel spacing. In the analog mode, the transceivers 
would be compatible with VHF marine radios in use by the maritime 
public. This alternative integrates radio position localization, 
Digital Select Calling (DSC), encryption capability, digital recording 
equipment, and data transmission capability. This option also 
incorporates more radio spectrum, and increases communication coverage 
for the modernized NDS. It is expected that additional antenna sites 
will be added in coastal locations. The PEA is available at the 
Internet web site:

http://comms.rdc.uscg.mil/NDSmod/NDS.html

or

<a href="http://dms.dot.gov/

">http://dms.dot.gov/

</a> Please review the PEA located at the Internet web site and send any 
comments in writing to the address provided below. Early comments are 
encouraged. If you would like to review a copy of the PEA and are 
unable to access our web site, please contact Mr. Dan Muslin at (619) 
532-3403, or at the address listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 6, 1998.

ADDRESSES: You may mail comments to the Docket Management Facility, 
[USCG-1998-3584], U.S. Department of Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 
Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC 20590-0001, or deliver them to room 
PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif Building at the same 
address between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except 
Federal holidays. The telephone number to the Docket Management 
Facility is (202) 366-9329.
    The Docket Management Facility maintains the public docket for this 
notice. Comments, and documents as indicated in this notice, will 
become part of this docket and will be available for inspection or 
copying at room PL-401, located on the Plaza Level of the Nassif 
Building at the above address between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m., Monday 
through Friday, except Federal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Dan Muslin, telephone: (619) 532-3403, Naval Facilities Engineering 
Command, 1220 Pacific Highway, San Diego, CA 92132-5190, for questions 
concerning this notice, the proposed modernization project, or the 
associated EA. For questions concerning the Docket Management Facility 
contact Paulette Twine, Chief, Documentary Services, Division, U.S. 
Department of Transportation, telephone (202) 366-9329.

    Dated: May 28, 1998.
Fred N. Squires,
Acting Assistant Commandant for Acquisition.
[FR Doc. 98-15036 Filed 6-4-98; 8:45 am]
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