[Federal Register: January 13, 2004 (Volume 69, Number 8)]
[Notices]
[Page 1996]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr13ja04-66]
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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard
[USCG-2003-16575]
Protection of Migratory Birds; Memorandum of Understanding
AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: As required by Executive Order 13186, the Coast Guard gives
notice that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to promote the conservation of
migratory bird populations in the context of the Rescue 21 Program on
May 22, 2003. The MOU obligates the Coast Guard to consider its actions
that might have substantial adverse impact on migratory birds and it
requires the Coast Guard to incorporate certain specific concerns for
migratory birds into its day-to-day decision-making.
DATES: The memorandum of understanding was signed by the Coast Guard on
May 22, 2003.
ADDRESSES: A copy of the Memorandum of Understanding and Executive
Order 13186 are available in the docket for this notice, USCG-2003-
16575, in the Docket Management Facility, U.S. Department of
Transportation, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street SW., Washington, DC
20590-0001, and online at http://dms.dot.gov.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this notice,
call LT Curtis Borland, Office of Environmental Law, Coast Guard,
telephone (202) 267-6000. If you have questions about viewing material
in the docket, call Andrea M. Jenkins, Program Manager, Docket
Operations, telephone (202) 366-0271.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A copy of Executive Order 13186 of January
10, 2001, Responsibilities of Federal Agencies to Protect Migratory
Birds, and the Memorandum of Understanding the Coast Guard has
developed and implemented with the Fish and Wildlife Service of the
Department of Interior in the context of the Rescue 21 Program in
response to this Order are available in the docket where indicated
under ADDRESSES.
Rescue 21 is the name of the Coast Guard program to modernize the
current National Distress System (NDS) which includes installing state-
of-the-art, dual mode VHF/UHF telecommunications technology and
deploying it at either existing NDS antenna tower sites, leased space
on existing commercial tower sites, or new antenna tower sites. The NDS
is the nation's maritime search and rescue ``911'' system and forms the
backbone of the Coast Guard's Short Range Communication System. The NDS
incorporates the use of very high frequency-frequency modulation (VHF-
FM) radios to provide two-way voice communications coverage for the
majority of USCG missions in coastal areas and navigable waterways
where commercial and recreational traffic exists. The current NDS
system is outdated and suffers from technological obsolesce. The system
was intended to provide coverage extending out approximately 20
nautical miles from the shore of the United States. Currently, there
are more than 65 verified communications gaps and numerous localized
coverage deficiencies.
Rescue 21 is an advanced search and rescue communications system
that helps the Coast Guard to more effectively locate and assist
boaters in distress. Rescue 21 will greatly improve the Coast Guard's
ability to detect and locate the source of distress calls, eliminate
known radio coverage gaps, and enhance Coast Guard command and control
capabilities across all other missions, such as homeland security,
environmental protection and law enforcement. Rescue 21 is designed to
save lives in the 21st century.
Dated: December 10, 2003.
Erroll Brown,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Assistant Commandant for Systems.
[FR Doc. 04-591 Filed 1-12-04; 8:45 am]
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