80 FR 12985 - Guantanamo Bay to Dania Beach Submarine Fiber Optic Cable System (GTMO SFOC); Environmental Assessment (EA)/Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 48 (March 12, 2015)

Page Range		12985-12986
FR Document		2015-05638

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is announcing that it has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and issued a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) relating to DISA's evaluation of the Proposed Action and Alternatives to installing Submarine Fiber Optic Cable (SFOC) for communication purposes between the DISN Facilities at Miami FL and U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GTMO) in order to supply high Bandwidth to DoD activities at GTMO. This SFOC will improve long-haul communications between the continental U.S. (CONUS) and GTMO. The FONSI reports the studies that prove that there will be no significant environmental impact from the installation of this SFOC. This notice announces the availability of the final EA and FONSI to concerned agencies and the public.

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 48 (Thursday, March 12, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12985-12986]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-05638]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Guantanamo Bay to Dania Beach Submarine Fiber Optic Cable System 
(GTMO SFOC); Environmental Assessment (EA)/Finding of No Significant 
Impact (FONSI)

AGENCY: U.S. Defense Information Systems Agency, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is announcing 
that it has prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) and issued a 
Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) relating to DISA's evaluation 
of the Proposed Action and Alternatives to installing Submarine Fiber 
Optic Cable (SFOC) for communication purposes between the DISN 
Facilities at Miami FL and U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba 
(GTMO) in order to supply high Bandwidth to DoD activities at GTMO. 
This SFOC will improve long-haul communications between the continental 
U.S. (CONUS) and GTMO. The FONSI reports the studies that prove that 
there will be no significant environmental impact from the installation 
of this SFOC. This notice announces the availability of the final EA 
and FONSI to concerned agencies and the public.

ADDRESSES: Requests to receive a copy of the EA or FONSI should be 
mailed to Defense Information Systems Agency, Public Affairs Officer, 
P.O. Box 549, Ft. Meade, MD 20755-0549. Arrangements must be made in 
advance to pick the documents, due to facility security requirements.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DISA Public Affairs at 301-225-8100 or 
disa.meade.SPI.mbx.disa-pao or DISA, P.O. box 549, Ft. Meade, MD 20755-
0549.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Background: Pursuant to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 
regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] 
parts 1500-1508) and 32 CFR part 188, Environmental Effects in the 
United States of DoD Actions, the U.S. Defense Information Systems 
Agency (DISA) prepared an Environmental Assessment (EA) to analyze the 
installation of a submarine fiber optic cable connecting the Defense 
Information System Network (DISN) node located at Guantanamo Bay 
(GTMO), Cuba to the DISN node located in Miami, FL. The DISA is a 
Department of Defense (DoD) combat support agency under the direction, 
authority and control of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for 
Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (ASD [C31]).
    The Guantanamo Bay to Dania Beach Submarine Fiber Optic Cable 
System involves two existing, shore-based U.S. naval facilities where 
the GTMO SFOC will be landed end-to-end. On the CONUS end, the cable 
will be landed at the U.S. Navy's South Florida Ocean Measurement 
Facility (SFOMF) at Dania Beach, Florida; from there, the GTMO SFOC 
will span the entirety of Florida's Territorial Waters (3 nautical 
miles [nm]), extending through the U.S. Territorial Sea (12 nm) and 
Contiguous Zone (24 nm), with the majority of the cable system passing 
through a combination of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the 
Bahamian EEZ, and the Cuban EEZ to the nearshore landing at the 
American Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NAVSTAGTMO). The DISA will lease 
commercial dark fiber to facilitate the terrestrial connection between 
SFOMF and the Network Access Point (NAP) of the Americas in Miami, 
Florida to provide DISN node-to-node connection.
    Purpose and Need: The purpose of the Proposed Action is to improve 
long-haul communications between the continental U.S. (CONUS) and GTMO. 
Long-haul communications requirements at GTMO are currently provided by 
commercial satellite services. A Submarine Fiber Optic Cable (SFOC) 
provides significantly more bandwidth than satellite services, exhibits 
very low latency, and is not subject to adverse atmospheric conditions, 
such as severe weather (for example, tropical rain storms and 
hurricanes). Therefore, the SFOC will increase the level and 
reliability of communication service between CONUS and GTMO. The 
attached EA and this FONSI were prepared in compliance with the NEPA 
(42 U.S.C. 4321-4347), CEQ regulations for implementing the procedural 
provisions of the NEPA (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 
1500-1508), and 32 CFR part 188, Environmental Effects in the United 
States of DoD Actions. The attached EA considers all potential impacts 
of the Proposed Action and Alternatives, including the No Action 
Alternative. This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) summarizes 
the DISA's evaluation of the Proposed Action and Alternatives.
    Alternatives Considered: Dania Beach, Florida Nearshore Cable Route 
Alternatives--Two action alternatives were analyzed for the nearshore 
installation route proposed at Dania Beach, Florida within the 12 nm 
limit of NEPA applicability. Of these two alternatives, Alternative 2 
(Preferred) involving the bundling of the GTMO SFOC to the existing CS-
125 cable that has been installed through the nearshore coral reef 
tracks was selected. This alternative provides the greatest degree of 
natural resource protection as it is co-located through a corridor that 
has previously received environmental agency clearances.
    Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Nearshore Cable Route Alternatives--Of the 
three alternatives considered, Alternative 3 (Glass Beach) was selected 
as the preferred landing site which contains an existing concrete 
landing station supporting two subaqueous utility lines and 
communication infrastructure coming ashore at this location. Co-
locating the GTMO SFOC cable within this existing corridor provides the 
greatest degree of environmental impact

[[Page 12986]]

avoidance and minimization within the nearshore environment.
    Deepwater Cable Route Alternatives--Three deepwater route 
alternatives with a common divergence point outside the U.S. were 
evaluated as part of the route planning process. These alternatives 
were not analyzed with respect to impacts on the human or natural 
environment because the DISA determined that the action of a one time, 
direct-laid SFOC system on the seabed has been demonstrated in past 
project actions at SFOMF and worldwide to ordinarily have only a minor, 
localized, and transient effect on the environment. Therefore, the 
action lacks the potential to cause significant harm to the environment 
outside the U.S. and meets the exemption requirement (E2.3.3.1.1) to 
prepare environmental documentation under Executive Order (E.O.) 12114, 
Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions.
    No Action Alternative--The No Action Alternative would be not to 
proceed with the GTMO SFOC system project linking NAVSTAGTMO at 
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with the SFOMF facility at Dania Beach, Florida. 
NAVSTAGTMO would continue to operate with existing satellite 
communication capabilities which would not meet the operational need 
for reliability and additional bandwidth.
    Conclusion: The GTMO SFOC EA was prepared and evaluated pursuant to 
NEPA, CEQ regulations at 40 CFR parts 1500-1508, and 32 CFR part 188. 
It has been concluded that, based on the analyses presented in the GTMO 
SFOC EA, the DISA has determined that no significant direct, indirect, 
or cumulative impacts would occur as a result of the Proposed Action. 
Therefore, no further study under NEPA is required, and a FONSI is thus 
warranted. In addition, the Proposed Action lacks the potential to 
cause significant harm to the environment outside the U.S. and thus is 
exempt from further environmental analyses under Executive Order 12114. 
Accordingly, the DISA approved the installation and operation of the 
GTMO SFOC.

     Dated: March 9, 2015.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2015-05638 Filed 3-11-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 48 / Thursday, March 12, 2015 / Notices 12985

DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Bay, Cuba (GTMO) in order to supply Naval Station Guantanamo Bay
high Bandwidth to DoD activities at (NAVSTAGTMO). The DISA will lease
International Trade Administration GTMO. This SFOC will improve long- commercial dark fiber to facilitate the
haul communications between the terrestrial connection between SFOMF
Education Mission to Central America; continental U.S. (CONUS) and GTMO. and the Network Access Point (NAP) of
March 16–19, 2015 The FONSI reports the studies that the Americas in Miami, Florida to
AGENCY: International Trade prove that there will be no significant provide DISN node-to-node connection.
Administration, Department of environmental impact from the Purpose and Need: The purpose of the
Commerce. installation of this SFOC. This notice Proposed Action is to improve long-haul
announces the availability of the final communications between the
ACTION: Amendment.
EA and FONSI to concerned agencies continental U.S. (CONUS) and GTMO.
SUMMARY: The United States Department and the public. Long-haul communications
of Commerce, International Trade ADDRESSES: Requests to receive a copy requirements at GTMO are currently
Administration is amending the Notice of the EA or FONSI should be mailed to provided by commercial satellite
published at 79 FR 34287, June 16, Defense Information Systems Agency, services. A Submarine Fiber Optic Cable
2014, for the education mission to El Public Affairs Officer, P.O. Box 549, Ft. (SFOC) provides significantly more
Salvador and Honduras, with an Meade, MD 20755–0549. Arrangements bandwidth than satellite services,
optional stop in Nicaragua, from March must be made in advance to pick the exhibits very low latency, and is not
16–19, 2015 to revise the mission documents, due to facility security subject to adverse atmospheric
description from executive-led to non- requirements. conditions, such as severe weather (for
executive led. example, tropical rain storms and
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
hurricanes). Therefore, the SFOC will
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: DISA Public Affairs at 301–225–8100 or
increase the level and reliability of
U.S. Export Assistance Center Silicon disa.meade.SPI.mbx.disa-pao or DISA,
communication service between
Valley, Gabriela Zelaya, International P.O. box 549, Ft. Meade, MD 20755–
CONUS and GTMO. The attached EA
Trade Specialist, Tel: 408–535–2757, 0549.
and this FONSI were prepared in
ext. 107, Email: gabriela.zelaya@ SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: compliance with the NEPA (42 U.S.C.
trade.gov. Background: Pursuant to the Council 4321–4347), CEQ regulations for
Laura Gimenez, Commercial Officer, El on Environmental Quality (CEQ) implementing the procedural provisions
Salvador, Tel: (011–503) 2501–3221, regulations for implementing the of the NEPA (40 Code of Federal
Email: laura.gimenez@trade.gov. procedural provisions of the National Regulations [CFR] parts 1500–1508),
Aileen Nandi, Commercial Officer, El Environmental Policy Act (NEPA; 40 and 32 CFR part 188, Environmental
Salvador, Tel: (408) 535–2757, ext. Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts Effects in the United States of DoD
102, Email: aileen.nandi@trade.gov. 1500–1508) and 32 CFR part 188, Actions. The attached EA considers all
U.S. Export Assistance Center Environmental Effects in the United potential impacts of the Proposed
Lexington, Sara Moreno, International States of DoD Actions, the U.S. Defense Action and Alternatives, including the
Trade Specialist, Tel: 859–225–7001, Information Systems Agency (DISA) No Action Alternative. This Finding of
Email: sara.moreno@trade.gov. prepared an Environmental Assessment No Significant Impact (FONSI)
(EA) to analyze the installation of a summarizes the DISA’s evaluation of the
Frank Spector,
submarine fiber optic cable connecting Proposed Action and Alternatives.
International Trade Specialist.
the Defense Information System Alternatives Considered: Dania Beach,
[FR Doc. 2015–05595 Filed 3–11–15; 8:45 am] Network (DISN) node located at Florida Nearshore Cable Route
BILLING CODE 3510–DR–P Guantanamo Bay (GTMO), Cuba to the Alternatives—Two action alternatives
DISN node located in Miami, FL. The were analyzed for the nearshore
DISA is a Department of Defense (DoD) installation route proposed at Dania
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE combat support agency under the Beach, Florida within the 12 nm limit
direction, authority and control of the of NEPA applicability. Of these two
Office of the Secretary Assistant Secretary of Defense for alternatives, Alternative 2 (Preferred)
Command, Control, Communications, involving the bundling of the GTMO
Guantanamo Bay to Dania Beach
and Intelligence (ASD [C31]). SFOC to the existing CS–125 cable that
Submarine Fiber Optic Cable System The Guantanamo Bay to Dania Beach
(GTMO SFOC); Environmental has been installed through the nearshore
Submarine Fiber Optic Cable System coral reef tracks was selected. This
Assessment (EA)/Finding of No involves two existing, shore-based U.S. alternative provides the greatest degree
Significant Impact (FONSI) naval facilities where the GTMO SFOC of natural resource protection as it is co-
AGENCY: U.S. Defense Information will be landed end-to-end. On the located through a corridor that has
Systems Agency, DoD. CONUS end, the cable will be landed at previously received environmental
ACTION: Notice of availability. the U.S. Navy’s South Florida Ocean agency clearances.
Measurement Facility (SFOMF) at Dania Guantanamo Bay, Cuba Nearshore
SUMMARY: The Defense Information Beach, Florida; from there, the GTMO Cable Route Alternatives—Of the three
Systems Agency (DISA) is announcing SFOC will span the entirety of Florida’s alternatives considered, Alternative 3
that it has prepared an Environmental Territorial Waters (3 nautical miles (Glass Beach) was selected as the
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Assessment (EA) and issued a Finding [nm]), extending through the U.S. preferred landing site which contains an
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) Territorial Sea (12 nm) and Contiguous existing concrete landing station
relating to DISA’s evaluation of the Zone (24 nm), with the majority of the supporting two subaqueous utility lines
Proposed Action and Alternatives to cable system passing through a and communication infrastructure
installing Submarine Fiber Optic Cable combination of the U.S. Exclusive coming ashore at this location. Co-
(SFOC) for communication purposes Economic Zone (EEZ), the Bahamian locating the GTMO SFOC cable within
between the DISN Facilities at Miami FL EEZ, and the Cuban EEZ to the this existing corridor provides the
and U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo nearshore landing at the American greatest degree of environmental impact

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12986 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 48 / Thursday, March 12, 2015 / Notices

avoidance and minimization within the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE personal information provided. To
nearshore environment. confirm receipt of your comment, please
Defense Acquisition Regulations check www.regulations.gov
Deepwater Cable Route Alternatives—
System approximately two to three days after
Three deepwater route alternatives with
a common divergence point outside the [Docket Number 2015–0013] submission to verify posting, except
U.S. were evaluated as part of the route allow 30 days for posting of comments
planning process. These alternatives Information Collection Requirement; submitted by mail.
were not analyzed with respect to Defense Federal Acquisition
Regulation Supplement; Requests for FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
impacts on the human or natural Jennifer Hawes, at (571) 372–6115.
Equitable Adjustment
environment because the DISA
determined that the action of a one time, SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
AGENCY: Defense Acquisition
direct-laid SFOC system on the seabed Regulations System, Department of Title and OMB Number: Defense
has been demonstrated in past project Defense (DoD). Federal Acquisition Regulation
actions at SFOMF and worldwide to ACTION: Notice and request for Supplement (DFARS) part 243, Contract
ordinarily have only a minor, localized, comments regarding a proposed Modifications, and the related clause at
and transient effect on the environment. extension of an approved information DFARS 252.243–7002; OMB Control
Therefore, the action lacks the potential collection requirement. Number 0704–0397.
to cause significant harm to the Needs and Uses: The information
environment outside the U.S. and meets SUMMARY: In compliance with section
3506(c)(2)(A) of the Paperwork collection required by the clause at
the exemption requirement (E2.3.3.1.1) DFARS 252.243–7002, Requests for
to prepare environmental Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C.
chapter 35), DoD announces the Equitable Adjustment, implements 10
documentation under Executive Order U.S.C. 2410(a). DoD contracting officers
proposed extension of a public
(E.O.) 12114, Environmental Effects and auditors use this information to
information collection requirement and
Abroad of Major Federal Actions. seeks public comment on the provisions evaluate contractor requests for
No Action Alternative—The No thereof. DoD invites comments on: (a) equitable adjustments to contracts.
Action Alternative would be not to Whether the proposed collection of Affected Public: Businesses or other
proceed with the GTMO SFOC system information is necessary for the proper for-profit and not-for-profit institutions.
project linking NAVSTAGTMO at performance of the functions of DoD,
Annual Burden Hours: 2,483.
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba with the SFOMF including whether the information will
facility at Dania Beach, Florida. have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of Number of Respondents: 328.
NAVSTAGTMO would continue to the estimate of the burden of the Responses Per Respondent: 1.6,
operate with existing satellite proposed information collection; (c) approximately.
communication capabilities which ways to enhance the quality, utility, and
Annual Responses: 520.
would not meet the operational need for clarity of the information to be
collected; and (d) ways to minimize the Average Burden Per Response: 4.8
reliability and additional bandwidth.
burden of the information collection on hours, approximately.
Conclusion: The GTMO SFOC EA was respondents, including the use of Frequency: On occasion.
prepared and evaluated pursuant to automated collection techniques or
NEPA, CEQ regulations at 40 CFR parts other forms of information technology. Summary of Information Collection
1500–1508, and 32 CFR part 188. It has The Office of Management and Budget
been concluded that, based on the The clause at DFARS 252.243–7002,
(OMB) has approved this information
analyses presented in the GTMO SFOC Requests for Equitable Adjustment, is
collection for use through August 31,
EA, the DISA has determined that no 2015. DoD proposes that OMB extend its prescribed at DFARS 243.205–71 for use
significant direct, indirect, or approval for use for three additional in solicitations and contracts, including
cumulative impacts would occur as a years. solicitations and contracts using FAR
result of the Proposed Action. part 12 procedures for the acquisition of
DATES: DoD will consider all comments commercial items that are estimated to
Therefore, no further study under NEPA received by May 11, 2015.
is required, and a FONSI is thus exceed the simplified acquisition
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, threshold. The clause requires
warranted. In addition, the Proposed
identified by OMB Control Number contractors to certify that requests for
Action lacks the potential to cause 0704–0397, using any of the following
significant harm to the environment equitable adjustment that exceed the
methods: simplified acquisition threshold are
outside the U.S. and thus is exempt Æ Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://
from further environmental analyses made in good faith and that the
www.regulations.gov. Follow the supporting data are accurate and
under Executive Order 12114. instructions for submitting comments.
Accordingly, the DISA approved the complete. The clause also requires
Æ Email: osd.dfars@mail.mil. Include
installation and operation of the GTMO contractors to fully disclose all facts
OMB Control Number 0704–0397 in the
SFOC. subject line of the message. relevant to the requests for adjustment.
Æ Fax: 571–372–6094.
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

Dated: March 9, 2015. Manuel Quinones,
Aaron Siegel,
Æ Mail: Defense Acquisition Editor, Defense Acquisition Regulations
Regulations System, Attn: Ms. Jennifer System.
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison
Hawes, OUSD(AT&L)DPAP(DARS), [FR Doc. 2015–05639 Filed 3–11–15; 8:45 am]
Officer, Department of Defense.
3060 Defense Pentagon, Room 3B941,
[FR Doc. 2015–05638 Filed 3–11–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–06–P
Washington, DC 20301–3060.
BILLING CODE 5001–06–P Comments received generally will be
posted without change to http://
www.regulations.gov, including any

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Document Created: 2018-02-21 09:35:52
Document Modified: 2018-02-21 09:35:52

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability.
Contact		DISA Public Affairs at 301-225-8100 or disa.meade.SPI.mbx.disa-pao or DISA, P.O. box 549, Ft. Meade, MD 20755- 0549.
FR Citation		80 FR 12985

80 FR 12985 - Guantanamo Bay to Dania Beach Submarine Fiber Optic Cable System (GTMO SFOC); Environmental Assessment (EA)/Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEOffice of the Secretary

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 48 (March 12, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary