83_FR_38468 83 FR 38317 - Polar Icebreaker Program; Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement

83 FR 38317 - Polar Icebreaker Program; Preparation of Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
Coast Guard

Federal Register Volume 83, Issue 151 (August 6, 2018)

Page Range38317-38318
FR Document2018-16760

The U.S. Coast Guard, as lead agency, announces the availability of a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for the Polar Icebreaker Program's design and build of up to six polar icebreakers. The U.S. Coast Guard requests public comments on the draft EIS.

Federal Register, Volume 83 Issue 151 (Monday, August 6, 2018) 
[Federal Register Volume 83, Number 151 (Monday, August 6, 2018)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38317-38318]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2018-16760]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket Number USCG-2018-0193]


Polar Icebreaker Program; Preparation of Environmental Impact 
Statement

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of Availability and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard, as lead agency, announces the 
availability of a draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement 
(EIS) in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
for the Polar Icebreaker Program's design and build of up to six polar 
icebreakers. The U.S. Coast Guard requests public comments on the draft 
EIS.

DATES: Comments must be submitted to the online docket via http://www.regulations.gov on or before September 20, 2018.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments identified by docket number USCG-
2018-0193 using the Federal portal at http://www.regulations.gov. See 
the ``Public Participation and Request for Comments'' portion of the 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for further instructions on 
submitting comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions about this 
notice of intent, email Mr. Ahmed Majumder, Deputy Program Manager, 
Polar Icebreaker Program, U.S. Coast Guard; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Table of Abbreviations

CFR Code of Federal Regulations
CGC Coast Guard Cutter
EIS Environmental Impact Statement
FR Federal Register
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
PIBs Polar Icebreakers
U.S.C. United States Code

II. Background and Purpose

    The U.S. Coast Guard's current fleet of polar icebreakers (PIBs) 
consists of two heavy icebreakers, Coast Guard Cutter (CGC) POLAR STAR 
and CGC POLAR SEA, and one medium icebreaker, CGC HEALY. The U.S. Coast 
Guard's heavy icebreakers have both exceeded their designed 30 year 
service life. CGC POLAR STAR was commissioned in 1976 and CGC POLAR SEA 
in 1978. CGC POLAR STAR began reactivation in 2010 and completed a 
service life extension in 2013 to allow CGC POLAR STAR to operate for 
an additional seven to ten years. CGC POLAR SEA has remained out of 
service since 2010 and is not expected to be reactivated. The current 
PIB program acquisition strategy is approved to construct up to three 
heavy PIBs and may (at a future date) potentially expand to include up 
to three medium icebreakers, with planned service design lives of 30 
years each. The first of these new PIBs is expected to delivered in 
2023. Because the first new PIB would not be operational in the Polar 
Regions until at least 2023, new information may become available after 
the completion of this EIS. In that case, supplemental NEPA 
documentation may, as appropriate, be prepared in

[[Page 38318]]

support of individual proposed actions. Examples of new information may 
include, but are not limited to, changes to a species listing status or 
any other applicable laws and directives, and information regarding 
mission, training, homeporting, maintenance, and eventual 
decommissioning of the new PIBs.
    A new PIB would be designed to carry out the U.S. Coast Guard's 
primary missions supported by the current polar icebreaker fleet. 
Expected missions include Ice Operations, Defense Readiness, Aids to 
Navigation, Living Marine Resources, Marine Safety, Marine 
Environmental Protection, Other Law Enforcement, Ports, Waterways, and 
Coastal Security, and Search and Rescue.
    In executing its various missions, the U.S. Coast Guard protects 
the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security interests 
in any maritime region, including international waters and the Nation's 
coasts, ports, and inland waterways, as required to support national 
security. Legislation and executive orders assign the U.S. Coast Guard 
a wide range of responsibilities applicable to Polar Regions. The U.S. 
Coast Guard derives its authority for the use of icebreaking from 
several statutes governing execution of its missions. These include 14 
U.S.C. 81 (Coast Guard establishment, maintenance, and operation of 
aids to navigation), 14 U.S.C. 88 (Coast Guard saving of life and 
property), 14 U.S.C. 89 (Coast Guard law enforcement), 14 U.S.C. 90 
(Arctic maritime transportation), 14 U.S.C. 91 (controlling anchorage 
and movement of vessels), 14 U.S.C. 94 (conduct oceanographic 
research), and 14 U.S.C. 141 (cooperation with agencies, States, 
territories, and others). In addition, Executive Order 7521 (Use of 
Vessels for Icebreaking in Channels and Harbors), 1 FR 2184, Dec. 24, 
1936, directs the U.S. Coast Guard to assist in keeping channels and 
harbors open to navigation by means of icebreaking operations.
    The U.S. Coast Guard proposes to conduct polar icebreaker 
operations and training exercises to meet Coast Guard mission 
responsibilities in the U.S. Arctic and Antarctic Regions of operation, 
in addition to vessel performance testing post-dry dock in the Pacific 
Northwest near the current polar icebreaker homeport of Seattle, 
Washington. The exact location for future homeporting has not been 
determined, but the current fleet of polar icebreakers is homeported in 
Seattle, Washington.
    Polar Regions are becoming increasingly important to U.S. national 
interests. The changing environment in these regions could lead to a 
rise in human activity and increased commercial ship, cruise ship, and 
naval surface ship operations, as well as increased exploration for oil 
and other resources, particularly in the Arctic. One of the U.S. Coast 
Guard's highest priorities is safety of life at sea. This entails the 
Artic responsibilities described above as well as assisting with 
Antarctica logistics at McMurdo Station. Long-term projected increases 
in U.S. Coast Guard mission demand in the Polar Regions would require 
additional support from PIBs. A lack of infrastructure, polar 
environmental conditions, and long distances between operating areas 
and support bases all influence the U.S. Coast Guard's ability to 
provide comparable service and presence in Polar Regions as compared to 
that provided in other non-polar areas of operation with existing Coast 
Guard assets.
    This EIS will analyze the potential impacts of up to six new PIBs, 
as this is the maximum number anticipated to be operational in the 
Polar Regions under the current PIB program acquisition strategy; A 
lesser number of icebreakers is expected to result in a similar or 
reduced impact than what will be discussed and evaluated in this EIS. 
Potential environmental stressors include acoustic (underwater acoustic 
transmissions, vessel noise, icebreaking noise, aircraft noise, and 
gunnery noise), and physical (vessel movement, aircraft or in-air 
device movement, in-water device movement, icebreaking, and marine 
expended materials).

III. Scoping Process

    The U.S. Coast Guard conducted scoping in accordance with Council 
on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations implementing the NEPA (40 
CFR 1500 et seq.) through public comment and public meetings. A summary 
of the scoping process can be found in the draft EIS.

IV. Public Participation and Request for Comments

    We encourage you to submit comments (or related material) on the 
draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement. We will consider all 
submissions and may adjust our final action based on your comments. If 
you submit a comment, please include the docket number for this notice, 
indicate the specific section of this document to which each comment 
applies, and provide a reason for each suggestion or recommendation.
    We encourage you to submit comments through the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal at http://www.regulations.gov. If your material cannot be 
submitted using http://www.regulations.gov, contact the person in the 
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section of this document for alternate 
instructions. Documents mentioned in this notice, and all public 
comments, are in our online docket at http://www.regulations.gov and 
can be viewed by following that website's instructions. Additionally, 
if you go to the online docket and sign up for email alerts, you will 
be notified when comments are posted or a final EIS is published.
    We accept anonymous comments. All comments received will be posted 
without change to http://www.regulations.gov and will include any 
personal information you have provided. For more about privacy and the 
docket, you may review a Privacy Act notice regarding the Federal 
Docket Management System in the March 24, 2005, issue of the Federal 
Register (70 FR 15086).
    This notice is issued under authority of 5 U.S.C. 552(a).

    Dated: June 31, 2018.
Ahmed Majumder,
U.S. Coast Guard, Program Manager, Polar Icebreaker Program.
[FR Doc. 2018-16760 Filed 8-3-18; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9110-04-P

Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 151 / Monday, August 6, 2018 / Notices 38317 Respondent’s grant applications, NS064976–01A1 with the National Environmental Policy articles, and posters in question —Figure 5 (left panel) in R01 Act (NEPA) for the Polar Icebreaker examined the differential effects of NS064976–01A2 Program’s design and build of up to six endothelin receptor antagonists on —Figure 3A in NR2010 polar icebreakers. The U.S. Coast Guard traumatic brain injury-induced —Figure 5 in VA2009 requests public comments on the draft hypoperfusion of cerebral blood flow, —Figure 5 in VA2010 EIS. neuronal cell injury, and cognition in • falsely described Western blot images DATES: Comments must be submitted to rat animal models. in one of the following three grant the online docket via http:// Respondent recklessly included applications (because at least one of www.regulations.gov on or before falsely described images in the the three must be false): Figure 1 September 20, 2018. following grant applications: (me+TBI panel for VEGF) in R01 ADDRESSES: You may submit comments • R01 NS064976–01A1 submitted to NS065824–01, Figure 2B in R01 NS064976–01A1, and Figure 2B in identified by docket number USCG– NINDS, NIH (unfunded) 2018–0193 using the Federal portal at • R01 NS064976–01A2 submitted to R01 NS064976–01A2 • falsely described Western blot images http://www.regulations.gov. See the NINDS, NIH (funded) ‘‘Public Participation and Request for • R01 NS065824–01 submitted to in: —Figure 2A in R01 NS064976–01A1 Comments’’ portion of the NINDS, NIH (unfunded) SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for —Figure 2A in R01 NS064976–01A2 Respondent recklessly included • a falsely described image of lectin further instructions on submitting falsely described images in the labeled rat brain section in Figure comments. following publications and posters: 2C in R01 NS065824–01 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If • ‘‘Differential effects of endothelin Thus, the research misconduct you have questions about this notice of receptor A and B antagonism on findings set forth above became intent, email Mr. Ahmed Majumder, cerebral hypoperfusion following effective, and the following Deputy Program Manager, Polar traumatic brain injury.’’ Neurological administrative actions have been Icebreaker Program, U.S. Coast Guard; Research 32(2):209–14, 2010 Mar implemented for a period of five (5) email PIBEnvironment@uscg.mil. (‘‘NR2010’’). Retracted in Neurological Research 39(5):472, 2017 May. years, beginning on July 13, 2018: SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: • ‘‘Clazosentan, a novel endothelin A (1) Dr. Kreipke is debarred from any contracting or subcontracting with any I. Table of Abbreviations antagonist, improves cerebral blood flow and behavior after traumatic brain agency of the United States Government CFR Code of Federal Regulations injury.’’ Neurological Research and from eligibility or involvement in CGC Coast Guard Cutter nonprocurement programs of the United EIS Environmental Impact Statement 33(2):208–13, 2011 Mar (‘‘NR2011–1’’). FR Federal Register Retracted in Neurological Research States Government referred to as ‘‘covered transactions’’ pursuant to NEPA National Environmental Policy Act 39(5):472, 2017 May. PIBs Polar Icebreakers • 2009 poster for a Department of HHS’ Implementation (2 CFR part 376) U.S.C. United States Code Veterans Affairs (VA) presentation: of Office of Management and Budget ‘‘Using endothelin-A antagonists to (OMB) Guidelines to Agencies on II. Background and Purpose ameliorate hypoperfusion and cognitive Governmentwide Debarment and The U.S. Coast Guard’s current fleet of deficits following brain trauma: towards Suspension (2 CFR part 180); and polar icebreakers (PIBs) consists of two a clinical trial’’ (‘‘VA2009’’). (2) Dr. Kreipke is prohibited from heavy icebreakers, Coast Guard Cutter • 2010 poster for a VA presentation: serving in any advisory capacity to PHS (CGC) POLAR STAR and CGC POLAR ‘‘Endothelin-1 receptor A antagonists including, but not limited to, service on SEA, and one medium icebreaker, CGC improve neurologic and cognitive any PHS advisory committee, board, HEALY. The U.S. Coast Guard’s heavy outcome following TBI’’ (‘‘VA2010’’). and/or peer review committee, or as a icebreakers have both exceeded their The following findings of research consultant. designed 30 year service life. CGC misconduct were proven by a Wanda K. Jones, POLAR STAR was commissioned in preponderance of the evidence. Interim Director, Office of Research Integrity. 1976 and CGC POLAR SEA in 1978. Respondent recklessly included: [FR Doc. 2018–16693 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am] CGC POLAR STAR began reactivation in • falsely described Fluoro-Jade stained BILLING CODE 4150–31–P 2010 and completed a service life images of rat brain cells in: extension in 2013 to allow CGC POLAR —Figure 8 (left panel) in R01 STAR to operate for an additional seven NS064976–01A1 to ten years. CGC POLAR SEA has DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND —Figure 8B (left panel) in R01 remained out of service since 2010 and SECURITY NS064976–01A2 is not expected to be reactivated. The —Figures 4A–F in R01 NS065824–01 Coast Guard current PIB program acquisition strategy —Figure 3 (right and left panels) in is approved to construct up to three NR2011–1 [Docket Number USCG–2018–0193] heavy PIBs and may (at a future date) —Figure 5C in NR2010 potentially expand to include up to Polar Icebreaker Program; Preparation three medium icebreakers, with planned —Figure 3 (panel 3) and Figure 6 of Environmental Impact Statement service design lives of 30 years each. (right and left panels) in VA2009 The first of these new PIBs is expected sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES —Figure 3 (panel 3) and Figure 6 AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS. (right and left panels) in VA2010 ACTION: Notice of Availability and to delivered in 2023. Because the first • falsely described systolic blood request for comments. new PIB would not be operational in the pressure curves in Figures 4A and Polar Regions until at least 2023, new 4B in NR2010 SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard, as lead information may become available after • falsely described cerebral blood flow agency, announces the availability of a the completion of this EIS. In that case, graphs in: draft Programmatic Environmental supplemental NEPA documentation —Figure 5 (left panel) in R01 Impact Statement (EIS) in accordance may, as appropriate, be prepared in VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Aug 03, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00045 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1

38318 Federal Register / Vol. 83, No. 151 / Monday, August 6, 2018 / Notices support of individual proposed actions. interests. The changing environment in eRulemaking Portal at http:// Examples of new information may these regions could lead to a rise in www.regulations.gov. If your material include, but are not limited to, changes human activity and increased cannot be submitted using http:// to a species listing status or any other commercial ship, cruise ship, and naval www.regulations.gov, contact the person applicable laws and directives, and surface ship operations, as well as in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION information regarding mission, training, increased exploration for oil and other CONTACT section of this document for homeporting, maintenance, and resources, particularly in the Arctic. alternate instructions. Documents eventual decommissioning of the new One of the U.S. Coast Guard’s highest mentioned in this notice, and all public PIBs. priorities is safety of life at sea. This comments, are in our online docket at A new PIB would be designed to carry entails the Artic responsibilities http://www.regulations.gov and can be out the U.S. Coast Guard’s primary described above as well as assisting viewed by following that website’s missions supported by the current polar with Antarctica logistics at McMurdo instructions. Additionally, if you go to icebreaker fleet. Expected missions Station. Long-term projected increases the online docket and sign up for email include Ice Operations, Defense in U.S. Coast Guard mission demand in alerts, you will be notified when Readiness, Aids to Navigation, Living the Polar Regions would require comments are posted or a final EIS is Marine Resources, Marine Safety, additional support from PIBs. A lack of published. Marine Environmental Protection, Other infrastructure, polar environmental We accept anonymous comments. All Law Enforcement, Ports, Waterways, conditions, and long distances between comments received will be posted and Coastal Security, and Search and operating areas and support bases all without change to http:// Rescue. influence the U.S. Coast Guard’s ability www.regulations.gov and will include In executing its various missions, the to provide comparable service and any personal information you have U.S. Coast Guard protects the public, presence in Polar Regions as compared provided. For more about privacy and the environment, and U.S. economic to that provided in other non-polar areas the docket, you may review a Privacy and security interests in any maritime of operation with existing Coast Guard Act notice regarding the Federal Docket region, including international waters assets. Management System in the March 24, and the Nation’s coasts, ports, and This EIS will analyze the potential 2005, issue of the Federal Register (70 inland waterways, as required to impacts of up to six new PIBs, as this FR 15086). support national security. Legislation is the maximum number anticipated to This notice is issued under authority and executive orders assign the U.S. be operational in the Polar Regions of 5 U.S.C. 552(a). Coast Guard a wide range of under the current PIB program responsibilities applicable to Polar Dated: June 31, 2018. acquisition strategy; A lesser number of Regions. The U.S. Coast Guard derives icebreakers is expected to result in a Ahmed Majumder, its authority for the use of icebreaking similar or reduced impact than what U.S. Coast Guard, Program Manager, Polar from several statutes governing will be discussed and evaluated in this Icebreaker Program. execution of its missions. These include EIS. Potential environmental stressors [FR Doc. 2018–16760 Filed 8–3–18; 8:45 am] 14 U.S.C. 81 (Coast Guard include acoustic (underwater acoustic BILLING CODE 9110–04–P establishment, maintenance, and transmissions, vessel noise, icebreaking operation of aids to navigation), 14 noise, aircraft noise, and gunnery noise), U.S.C. 88 (Coast Guard saving of life and and physical (vessel movement, aircraft DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND property), 14 U.S.C. 89 (Coast Guard law or in-air device movement, in-water SECURITY enforcement), 14 U.S.C. 90 (Arctic device movement, icebreaking, and maritime transportation), 14 U.S.C. 91 Federal Emergency Management marine expended materials). (controlling anchorage and movement of Agency vessels), 14 U.S.C. 94 (conduct III. Scoping Process [Docket ID FEMA–2008–0010] oceanographic research), and 14 U.S.C. The U.S. Coast Guard conducted 141 (cooperation with agencies, States, scoping in accordance with Council on Board of Visitors for the National Fire territories, and others). In addition, Environmental Quality (CEQ) Academy Executive Order 7521 (Use of Vessels for regulations implementing the NEPA (40 Icebreaking in Channels and Harbors), 1 AGENCY: Federal Emergency CFR 1500 et seq.) through public FR 2184, Dec. 24, 1936, directs the U.S. Management Agency, DHS. comment and public meetings. A Coast Guard to assist in keeping summary of the scoping process can be ACTION: Committee management; notice channels and harbors open to navigation found in the draft EIS. of open federal advisory committee by means of icebreaking operations. meeting. The U.S. Coast Guard proposes to IV. Public Participation and Request for conduct polar icebreaker operations and Comments SUMMARY: The Board of Visitors for the training exercises to meet Coast Guard We encourage you to submit National Fire Academy (Board) will mission responsibilities in the U.S. comments (or related material) on the meet on August 27–28, 2018, in Arctic and Antarctic Regions of draft Programmatic Environmental Emmitsburg, Maryland. The meeting operation, in addition to vessel Impact Statement. We will consider all will be open to the public. performance testing post-dry dock in the submissions and may adjust our final DATES: The meeting will take place on Pacific Northwest near the current polar action based on your comments. If you Monday, August 27, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time and on sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES icebreaker homeport of Seattle, submit a comment, please include the Washington. The exact location for docket number for this notice, indicate Tuesday, August 28, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 future homeporting has not been the specific section of this document to p.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Please note determined, but the current fleet of which each comment applies, and that the meeting may close early if the polar icebreakers is homeported in provide a reason for each suggestion or Board has completed its business. Seattle, Washington. recommendation. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Polar Regions are becoming We encourage you to submit the National Emergency Training increasingly important to U.S. national comments through the Federal Center, 16825 South Seton Avenue, VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:36 Aug 03, 2018 Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00046 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\06AUN1.SGM 06AUN1


Document Created: 2018-11-06 10:37:29
Document Modified: 2018-11-06 10:37:29
CategoryRegulatory Information
CollectionFederal Register
sudoc ClassAE 2.7:
GS 4.107:
AE 2.106:
PublisherOffice of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
SectionNotices
ActionNotice of Availability and request for comments.
DatesComments must be submitted to the online docket via http:// www.regulations.gov on or before September 20, 2018.
ContactIf you have questions about this notice of intent, email Mr. Ahmed Majumder, Deputy Program Manager, Polar Icebreaker Program, U.S. Coast Guard; email [email protected]
FR Citation83 FR 38317 
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