[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 8 (Tuesday, January 13, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 1996]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-591]


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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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