7764 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices

Agency: Corporation for National and Wage Committee, 4000 Defense and correspondence during the Community Service. Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301–4000. preparation of the EA will be considered Title: Applicant Medical Prescreening Dated: February 10, 1998. in preparation of the EIS, as will Form. L.M. Bynum, comments received by the Air Force OMB Number: 3045–0025. during this scoping period. To ensure Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Agency Number: None. Officer, Department of Defense. the Air Force has sufficient time to Affected Public: 18–24 year old [FR Doc. 98–3784 Filed 2–13–98; 8:45 am] consider public input in the preparation AmeriCorps*NCCC applicants. of the Draft EIS, comments should be BILLING CODE 5000±04±M Total Respondents: Approximately submitted to the address below by 2,500. March 20, 1998: Frequency: One time per selected DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HQ AFCEE/ECR applicant. ATTN: Ms. Julia Cantrell, 3207 North Average Time Per Response: .5 hours Department of the Air Force Road, Brooks Air Force Base, TX Estimated Total Burden Hours: 1,250 78235–5363 hours. Notice of Intent To Prepare Barbara A. Carmichael, Environmental Impact Statement on Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): 0. Alternate Air Force Federal Register Liaison Total Burden Cost (operating/ the Proposal to Release Federal Funds Officer. to the University of New Mexico to maintenance): 0. [FR Doc. 98–3906 Filed 2–13–98; 8:45 am] Construct Enchanted Skies Park and Comments submitted in response to BILLING CODE 3910±01±P this notice will be summarized and/or Observatory, Near Grants, NM included in the request for Office of The United States Air Force (Air Management and Budget approval of the Force) will prepare an Environmental DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE information collection request; they will Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the also become a matter of public record. potential environmental impacts of the Department of the Air Force Dated: February 10, 1998. Air Force’s decision to issue Department Air Force Institute of Technology Kenneth L. Klothen, of Defense (DoD) grant funds to the Subcommittee of the Air University General Counsel. University of New Mexico to construct Board of Visitors; Notice of Meeting [FR Doc. 98–3891 Filed 2–13–98; 8:45 am] an astronomical observatory on Horace BILLING CODE 6050±28±P Mesa, near Grants. The Air Force The Air Force Institute of Technology initiated an Environmental Assessment Subcommittee of the Air University (EA) in May 1997 to analyze this Board of Visitors will hold an open proposal. Preliminary results from the meeting on March 15–17, 1998, with the DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE EA indicated the potential for first business session beginning at 8:30 Office of the Secretary of Defense significant impacts to cultural resources. a.m. in the Commandant’s Conference In accordance with the National Room, Building 125, Wright-Patterson Department of Defense Wage Environmental Policy Act, the Air Force Air Force Base (AFB), Ohio (5 seats Committee; Notice of Closed Meetings will continue the analysis of this available). proposal through the preparation of an The purpose of the meeting is to give Pursuant to the provisions of section EIS. The EIS will be used by the Air the board an opportunity to review Air 10 of Public Law 92–463, the Federal Force in considering whether, and Force Institute of Technology’s Advisory Committee Act, notice is under what conditions, to approve the educational programs and to present to hereby given that closed meetings of the release of federal funds to construct the the Commandant a report of their Department of Defense Wage Committee observatory on Horace Mesa and to findings and recommendations will be held on March 3, 1998; March document the Air Force’s decision in a concerning these programs. 10, 1998; March 17, 1998; March 24, Record of Decision. For further information on this 1998; and March 31, 1998, at 10:00 a.m. The University of New Mexico has meeting, contact Ms. Beverly Houtz, in Room A105, The Nash Building, 1400 proposed to use the grant funds to build Directorate of Plans and Operations, Air Key Boulevard, Rosslyn, Virginia. the Enchanted Skies Park and Force Institute of Technology, Wright- Under the provisions of section 10(d) Observatory near Grants, NM. This Patterson AFB, Ohio, 45433–7765 (937) of Public Law 92–463, the Department proposal involves the construction and 255–5760. of Defense has determined that the operation of an astronomical research Barbara A. Carmichael, meetings meet the criteria to close site with a publicly accessible park that Alternate Air Force Federal Register Liaison meetings to the public because the includes educational opportunities and Officer. matters to be considered are related to amateur viewing facilities. The project [FR Doc. 98–3907 Filed 2–13–98; 8:45 am] internal rules and practices of the would consist of a Visitor’s Center, BILLING CODE 3910±01±P Department of Defense and the detailed Technical Center and amateur viewing wage data to be considered were area. The building and structures would obtained from officials of private occupy approximately 250 acres of land DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE establishments with a guarantee that the on Horace Mesa with interconnected data will be held in confidence. transportation corridors for hiking, Department of the Navy However, members of the public who walking, delivery/maintenance, and may wish to do so are invited to submit tram/trolley traffic. Improvements to Record of Decision for the Installation material in writing to the chairman state owned access roads would also be and Operation of a Relocatable Over concerning matters believed to be required. the Horizon Radar (ROTHR) System in deserving of the Committee’s attention. The scoping period for the Enchanted Puerto Rico Additional information concerning Skies Park and Observatory will extend AGENCY: Department of the Navy, DoD. the meetings may be obtained by writing through March 20, 1998. Written and ACTION: Notice of record of decision. to the Chairman, Department of Defense oral comments received from meetings Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices 7765

SUMMARY: The Department of the Navy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared in two versions, English and announces its decision to install and for Construction and Operation of a Spanish, and distributed to over 200 operate a ROTHR System in Puerto ROTHR, Puerto Rico was published in government agencies, groups, and Rico. the Federal Register on May 25, 1994. individuals. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. That notice described briefly the A public hearing was held on March Linda Blount, Atlantic Division Naval proposed action, requirements for a 15, 1997 in Juana Diaz, with He´ctor Facilities Engineering Command (Code transmitter site and a receiver site, and Russe´ Martinez, Esq., President of the 2032LB), 1510 Gilbert Street, Norfolk, alternative site locations identified for Puerto Rico EQB, serving as Hearing VA 23511–2699, telephone (757) 322– the transmitter on Vieques (Playa Officer. During the public hearing forty 4892. Grande, Camp Garcia Airfield, and people spoke. The public comment period was open for the receipt of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The text of Camp Garcia East) and for the receiver in southwest Puerto Rico (Lajas A and comments until March 31, 1997. Forty- the entire Record of Decision is nine letters from agencies, provided as follows: Lajas B). Public scoping meetings were announced in English and Spanish in organizations, and individual concerned The Department of the Navy (Navy), citizens were received by the Navy pursuant to Section 102 (2) (c) of the local newspapers and in direct mailouts. Following these notifications, two pertaining to the ROTHR project. National Environmental Policy Act of Issues raised at the public hearings 1969 (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., scoping meetings were held as follows: • June 9, 1994 from 7:30 pm to 9:30 and submitted in writing were and the regulations of the Council on pm at the Community Center in La addressed in a Final EIS (FEIS). The Environmental Quality (CEQ) that Parguera, Lajas, PR; and FEIS was filed with EPA on September implement NEPA procedures, 40 CFR • June 11, 1994 from 10:30 am to 1:00 19, 1997 and a Notice of Availability Parts 1500–1508, hereby announces its pm at the Municipal Assembly Hall in was published in the Federal Register decision to install and operate a ROTHR Vieques, PR. on September 26, 1997. The document System in Puerto Rico. A total of ten individuals provided was prepared in two versions, English The ROTHR system is a high comments at the scoping meetings and and Spanish, and distributed to over frequency radar that provides over-the- three letters were received. 200 government agencies, groups, and horizon detection and tracking of On July 18, 1995, the Draft individuals. The public comment period aircraft over a wide geographic area. Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was open for the receipt of new Each complete ROTHR system is for the ROTHR project was issued, and comments until October 27, 1997. A composed of three major subsystems: on July 24, 1995 a Notice of Availability total of eight written comments were the transmitter, receiver, and operation was published in the Federal Register. received on the FEIS. control center (OCC). The transmitter The document was prepared in two Alternatives will be installed at a site on the versions, English and Spanish, and southwestern coast of Vieques, Puerto distributed to 118 parties including NEPA requires the Navy to evaluate a Rico, north of the Laguna Playa Grande. government agencies, groups, and reasonable range of alternatives. The receiver will be installed at a site individuals. Four public hearings were Determining an optimum location for on Fort Allen in Juana Diaz, Puerto held to receive comments on the DEIS, the installation of the ROTHR involved Rico. Both sites are on existing with He´ctor Russe Martinez, Esq., several factors including adequate Department of Defense property. The President of the Puerto Rico coverage of the intended surveillance OCC functions will be accomplished at Environmental Quality Board (EQB), area, potential locations for sites which an existing facility in Chesapeake, serving as Hearing Officer: would meet the siting criteria, and Virginia. • November 27, 1995 hearing at the suitable existing infrastructure. Puerto Rico presents the best possible Background Multiple Services Center, Vieques, PR. • November 29, 1995 at the siting alternative and meets all the In accordance with the President’s Municipal Theater, Lajas. significant criteria for coverage: look National Drug Control Strategy and in • December 6, 1995 at the Municipal angle; target area coverage; suitable consonance with Presidential Decision Theater, Lajas, PR. terrain; sufficient land area; Directive 14, the purpose and need of • December 16, 1995 at the Municipal infrastructure; supportability; cost; and the project is the early detection and Theater, Lajas, PR. constructability. Additionally, Puerto monitoring of illegal international drug The public comment period was open Rico shares with the U.S. mainland an activity by providing air surveillance of for the receipt of comments until urgent need to combat drug trafficking. the South American source countries of December 31, 1995. During the public A federal/local interagency task force on Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia. The hearings, thirty-eight people spoke. the island is actively cooperating in this existing ROTHR systems in Virginia and Thirty-four letters from agencies, task. The location of the third leg of the Texas provide incomplete coverage of organizations, and individual concerned system in Puerto Rico (in conjunction the source countries, resulting in gaps citizens were received by the Navy with the Texas and Virginia systems) that are exploited by drug traffickers. pertaining to the ROTHR project. will provide mutual benefits to Puerto Implementation of the ROTHR system Concerns expressed during the public Rico and the mainland U.S. that are in in Puerto Rico will complement the two review of the DEIS prompted the Navy keeping with their common interest. existing ROTHR systems, and, with to re-evaluate potential receiver sites. A During the NEPA process, the Navy existing surveillance strategies, will new preferred site at Fort Allen in Juana analyzed the environmental impacts of provide virtually complete coverage of Diaz, Puerto Rico was identified, and on siting the ROTHR system in different this area. Early detection and tracking February 7, 1997, a Supplemental Draft locations in Puerto Rico, including the will improve reaction time for counter- Environmental Impact Statement island of Vieques. A preliminary narcotic forces. (SDEIS) was filed with the assessment of potential locations for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) transmitter and receiver subsystems was Process: and a Notice of Availability was performed between May and November In accordance with NEPA, a Notice of published in the Federal Register on 1993 (Raytheon, October 1993). The Intent (NOI) to Prepare an February 14, 1997. The document was following criteria must be met for the 7766 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices

ROTHR system to accomplish its effective shortened receiver array has Installation of a transmitter at the mission: allowed it to be selected for the receiver Playa Grande Site will be compatible • The transmitter and receiver sites site. with the mission of U.S. Naval Station, must be separated by 50 to 100 miles The Fort Allen Site is part of a 941 Roosevelt Roads and with the Navy’s (mi) (80 to 160 kilometers [km]) to acre (381 hectare) facility located on the Memorandum of Understanding permit bistatic operation; southern coast of Puerto Rico Regarding the Island Of Vieques (1983). • The sites must be generally level, approximately 10 mi (16 km) east of About 22 acres (9 hectares) of an for operational purposes of the antenna Ponce within Juana Diaz. It is operated existing mahogany plantation consisting array; and of about 1,650 trees will be cleared • as a Puerto Rico Army National Guard The area to the south of the (PRARNG) facility. Secondary during construction of the transmitter antennas must be clear of large or tall successional vegetation dominates the facilities. The site will be compatible obstructions. receiver site. Use of this site for the with existing land uses, will be located Five potential transmitter sites were receiver facility has been coordinated north of the environmental conservation identified during the preliminary among the Navy, the PRARNG, and the zone, and will be away from public assessment: four sites on Vieques Island US Army National Guard Bureau to view. The towers and wires will be and one site on Puerto Rico. Three of ensure that there will be no backdropped by hills and mountains, the five sites were determined to be incompatible uses at Fort Allen. and, therefore, will not be readily seen feasible: Playa Grande (the selected The use of a shorter receiver array at from the sea. site); Camp Garcia Airfield; and Camp Fort Allen is federally owned and Garcia East. All three feasible Fort Allen allows construction to remain entirely within the boundaries of operated as a Puerto Rico Army transmitter sites are located on Navy- National Guard training facility. owned property along the southern existing federal property. Although the shorter receiver array will result in some Installation of a receiver site at Fort coast of Vieques Island. Allen will be compatible with the minor loss of performance of the system, The Playa Grande Site is located on facility’s mission to provide training for it will still be capable of performing its the southwestern coast, north of the the National Guard. The site will be assigned mission. The ability to place Laguna Playa Grande Conservation away from public view because the the receiver entirely on government Zone. It is within the Naval receiver towers will project a maximum property is an important consideration. Ammunition Storage Detachment of 19 ft (6 m) above the ground surface, The Fort Allen Site would therefore, (NASD). The vegetation on the site and are not expected to be visible impact no private property, and would includes a mahogany plantation planted beyond the immediate area. with saplings in 1991 and thorn/scrub impact less wetland area than the two While portions of the Fort Allen site lowland forest, mixed with dense Lajas sites. are classified as prime farmland if grassland. The no action alternative was also irrigated, the construction site is within The Camp Garcia Airfield site is considered. Under the no action an existing military facility, and is not located just west of the existing Camp alternative the ROTHR system would in agricultural use. Additionally, there Garcia Headquarters and Repair not be constructed in Puerto Rico. While is no existing irrigation. Constructing Compound and is intermittently used as the construction and operational the receiver at the Fort Allen Site does a drop zone during training exercises. impacts associated with the ROTHR not violate the objectives of the Federal The graded area is now a mixed thorn/ would be avoided, this option would Farmland Protection Act. scrub habitat with grassland, dominated preclude development of radar coverage Temporary economic impacts on the by opportunistic and pioneer species. beyond the range of the existing radar area will result from the construction The Camp Garcia East site is located systems in Virginia and Texas. Without activities. Construction of the facility immediately east of the existing the Puerto Rico system, early warning of will be timed so that the facility can Headquarters and Repair Compound at suspicious flights departing South become operational in 1999. The Camp Garcia and is surrounded by a America would not occur, thereby estimated cost for site preparation and fuel storage area, a sewage lagoon, decreasing the opportunity for federal construction at the ROTHR transmitter equipment and machinery repair and commonwealth agencies to site is approximately $5.5 million. The facilities, and a helicopter pad. This site intercept and apprehend illegal air drug estimated cost for site preparation and is currently densely vegetated with traffickers. construction at the receiver facility is thorn/scrub vegetation and mixed scrub. Environmental Impacts approximately $4.5 million. It is Based on operational criteria, the expected that local construction workers Playa Grande Site has been selected The Navy analyzed the potential will be employed by construction because it avoids conflicts with Camp impacts of the transmitter and receiver contractors. Some workers may reside in Garcia training exercises. Training alternatives for their effects on land use; temporary housing during the exercises at Camp Garcia would not socioeconomics; community facilities construction period. They are not interfere with ROTHR operations at the and services; transportation; air quality expected to remain in the area once Playa Grande Site, but would have and noise; electromagnetic emissions; construction is completed. Once resulted in periodic shutdowns of infrastructure; culture resources; operational, the facility will employ a ROTHR operations at either of the two biological resources; water resources; total of 20 full-time persons at each site, Camp Garcia Sites. topography, geology, and soils; who will, to the maximum extent Seven potential receiver sites on hazardous substances; and cumulative practicable, be from the existing Puerto Puerto Rico were initially evaluated. impacts. This Record of Decision Rico labor force. Based on operational, environmental, focuses on the major impacts that will Air quality and noise impacts for the and cost criteria, three receiver sites likely result from implementing the transmitter and receiver sites will be (Lajas Site A, Lajas Site B, and Fort preferred alternative of installing and similar. There will be temporary minor Allen) were identified as feasible operating the transmitter at Playa increases in vehicle exhaust emissions alternatives. Although the Fort Allen Grande, Vieques, Puerto Rico and the (from construction-related vehicle Site was not initially identified as a receiver at Fort Allen, Juana Diaz, combustion engines) and of direct feasible site, the development of an Puerto Rico. emissions (from earth movement and Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices 7767 travel on unpaved roads) during The Department of Defense (DoD) the island of Puerto Rico or the local construction of the transmitter and criteria for protection of personnel from area. receiver facilities. These impacts will exposure to RF fields are set out in DoD At the transmitter site during occur only during the construction instruction 6055.11. These criteria are construction and operation of the process (short-term) and will not based upon consensus derived facility, potable water needs will be met significantly degrade air quality in the voluntary standards developed by the with bottled water. A non-potable well area over the long term. No backup Institute of Electrical and Electronics will be installed for sanitary use, generators will be placed at the Engineers (IEEE), which is a Non- cleaning, and showers. Impacts to local transmitter or receiver sites. There will Governmental Standards Organization groundwater resources will be be a permanent minor increase in motor (NGSO). This standard was approved minimized by the proper construction, vehicle emissions at the transmitter and and adopted by the American National operation, and maintenance of the receiver sites as a result of daily Standards Institute (ANSI). The RF field groundwater well system. The receiver vehicular traffic of facility employees emitted by the ROTHR transmitter will facility at Fort Allen will use the and dust from travel on unpaved roads. not expose the public to levels greater existing adequate water supply system. These emissions will be minor, than those given in the ANSI/IEEE Sanitary sewer facilities are not however, as only a total of 20 people (1992) standards, and will not cause any currently available at the transmitter each will be working at the transmitter detrimental health effects. Because RF site. A ‘‘mound’’ type subsurface soil and receiver sites. fields in the immediate area of the absorption and septic tank system will With respect to noise impacts, transmitter may be higher than be installed. Sanitary sewer services at construction activity will result in permissible exposure limits, public Fort Allen are supplied by the on-site temporary increases in noise levels at access will not be allowed. A personnel wastewater treatment plant. The wastes generated by the action the transmitter and receiver sites and exclusion fence will be constructed at are not expected to impact local solid along adjacent roads. Vehicle and heavy the transmitter antenna site to limit waste disposal resources. The Vieques equipment traffic will be the primary access and control exposures. This fence landfill in the Bastimento Ward is 10 noise sources. Blasting is required at the will be posted with standard warning acres (4 hectares) in size with an active transmitter site to remove signs in both English and Spanish. The life estimated at 17 to 20 years. personnel exclusion fence will be approximately 2,000 cubic yards (cu yd) Construction debris and rubble will be located so that RF fields at ground level (1,529 cubic meters [cu m]) of rock. transported to this solid waste landfill. outside the exclusion fence will meet Noise levels will be within noise Minimal construction debris and rubble DoD and ANSI/IEEE standards for standards presented in the Puerto Rico from the Fort Allen site will be uncontrolled environments. Regulation of the Environmental Quality transported by the construction Board for the Control of Noise Pollution, At the receiver facility, only the contractor to a local solid waste landfill Amended Version, dated February 25, calibration antenna will produce RF that has sufficient capacity. 1987, pursuant to Law Number 9, of fields and only when the receiver An intensive archaeological survey June 18, 1970. Once construction is equipment is being tested (about two was conducted in July 1996 at the Playa completed, operation of the system will hours each week). The signals from the Grande site and no significant result in imperceptible increases in calibration antenna will have a field archaeological sites were located. An noise levels. power level adjacent to the antenna 1/ intensive archaeological survey was also In performing its function, the 1,000 of the power level of a portable conducted on 180 acres (73 hectares) at transmitter system will emit Radio phone and 1/500 of the power level of Fort Allen in July 1996. No significant Frequency (RF) fields. The RF fields a television. archaeological sites were located. A occur via directional Frequency The receiver facility is sensitive to preliminary disturbance study indicated Modulation Continuous Wave (FM/CW) electromagnetic interference (EMI) from that the majority of the area retained a High Frequency (HF) transmissions at sources in the vicinity of the receiver low potential for intact cultural assigned frequencies between 5 and 28 site. While no buffer area extending resources, due to landscape megahertz (MHZ, million cycles per beyond the boundary of Fort Allen will modification. Some isolated areas of second). Concerns dealing with be required, the Navy will coordinate moderate potential were located in the biological hazards from exposure to with the PRARNG and US Army extreme western and southeastern ionizing radiation do not apply to the National Guard to ensure proposed portions of the testing area. These areas ROTHR transmitter system. Biological activities in the vicinity of the receiver appeared to have been less affected by effects associated with the ROTHR will not create interference. modern disturbances, but contained no transmitter will be in response to The power required to operate the pre-modern materials, features, or thermalizing absorption of RF fields, transmitter site is not expected to deposits. The Puerto Rico Historic which are a portion of the non-ionizing adversely impact the power supply of Preservation Office has concurred with electromagnetic spectrum. the island of Vieques. According to the the Navy’s finding that the installation Questions about possible Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority and operation of the ROTHR will have ‘‘nonthermal’’ effects of RF fields have (PREPA), there is suitable capacity to no effect on historic resources. been examined by the World Health meet this requirement. At the Playa No significant impacts to biological Organization (WHO) at an international Grande Site, electrical power will be resources will occur at the transmitter seminar held in November 1996 on the supplied by a new line constructed site. Biological impacts to the Playa biological effects of low-level radio within a 25 ft (8 m) right-of-way Grande Site will be the result of clearing frequency fields. Their report concluded adjacent to Route 201, impacting about vegetation and grading up to that ‘‘while hazards from exposure to 7.4 acres (3 hectares) of thorn/scrub approximately 80 acres (32 hectares). high-level (thermal) RF fields were vegetation. Electrical power is currently The site occupies part of a mahogany established, no known health hazards available at the Fort Allen Site. The plantation, a grass/low growing were associated with exposure to RF power required to operate the receiver herbaceous community, and a lowland sources emitting fields too low to cause site (500 kVA) is not expected to forest. The mahogany plantation was a significant temperature rise in tissue.’’ adversely impact the power supply of planted in 1991 from nursery stock. 7768 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices

These trees are still saplings and are not construction sites to reduce the quality, noise, and natural or cultural currently economically viable for wood potential for stormwater runoff. resources are anticipated. product. Construction of the transmitter Based on available information and Mitigation facility will require the clearing of limited field surveys, there is no approximately 22 acres (9 hectares) of evidence of hazardous waste To prevent potential adverse effects to the mahogany plantation (about 1,650 contamination at the transmitter site. human health at the transmitter site, a trees). As mitigation, mahogany saplings Based on environmental site fence will surround the antennas and will be planted between and adjacent to investigations performed by the U.S. groundscreen area. The fence, the trees which will not be disturbed by Army over the past three years, 3 demarking a ‘‘Personnel Exclusion the construction. The restriction area potential areas of concern (AOCs) were Area,’’ will be conspicuously marked will be cleared of vegetation and graded found to be within the receiver site with warning signs in both Spanish and above the 16 ft (5 m) contour and the boundary. Additional site inspections English. The fence will be located at a Laguna Playa Grande Conservation Zone and a geophysical survey performed by safe distance from the transmitter boundary. No construction will occur the U.S. Navy during the fall of 1996 antennas so that no harmful effects within the conservation zone. revealed several suspect features at two could occur to humans. The safe Additionally soil erosion control of the AOCs. However, based on results distance for setting the fence will be measures will ensure no indirect of a human health risk evaluation, the determined by measurement of the RF impacts occur to the conservation zone. site was determined to be a suitable fields and reference to the maximal No significant impacts to biological location for the ROTHR receiver array. permissible exposure levels as defined resources will occur at the receiver site. The Puerto Rico Planning Board has in DoD instruction 6055.11 and ANSI/ A large majority of the Fort Allen Site concurred that the ROTHR project is IEEE standards (1992). Measurements of is densely vegetated with thorn/scrub consistent with the Puerto Rican Coastal electromagnetic fields and currents will community. The 117 acre (47 hectare) Zone Management Plan. be conducted by qualified engineers. In site consists of approximately 110 acres The potential effects of the proposed the unlikely event that the initial (45 hectares) of secondary successional construction of the ROTHR system have measurements indicate that the ANSI/ growth, approximately 4 acres (2 been evaluated in accordance with the IEEE standards are not being met, the hectares) of secondary successional requirements of Executive Order 12898, Navy will adjust the fence location, as growth/grassland mix, and Environmental Justice. The direct and needed. If measurements taken at the approximately 3 acres (1 hectare) of indirect effects of the proposed ROTHR southernmost position of the proposed grassland which will be cleared. system are not expected to significantly fence exceed the standards, then the The Navy’s analysis in the FEIS affect human health or the environment. Navy will reduce power levels to indicated 0.95 acres (0.4 hectares) of The proposed action will not cause achieve compliance. The Navy will wetlands would be impacted as a result adverse environmental or economic reduce the power versus move the fence of the construction of the receiver impacts to the general population or, because of a Navy commitment to avoid facility. Subsequent to issuance of the specifically, to any groups or any construction in the conservation FEIS, the boundaries of the wetlands individuals from minority or low- zone, which lies to the south of the site. area were further defined, and design income populations. No residences will In the event the Navy must reduce the revisions were made. Consequently, the be directly impacted. In addition, power level, the ROTHR will still be amount of wetlands which will be publication of the newspaper notice able to effectively accomplish its displaced is now estimated at less than announcing the availability of the mission. The Navy will also work with 0.25 acres (0.12 hectares) of which only environmental impact statement the Puerto Rico EQB to ensure a suitable 0.08 acres (0.03 hectares) will be allowed the total public (including third party takes part in the initial permanent wetlands loss. There is no minority and low-income individuals system testing. practicable alternative to these wetlands and populations) the opportunity to RF fields also generate potential impacts. The proposed action includes comment on the proposed action. The hazards to Electro-Explosive Devices all practicable measures to minimize EIS and all notices were published in (EED) or Cartridge Actuated Devices impacts to wetlands. both English and Spanish to maximize (CAD) found in aircraft. An exclusion No threatened or endangered species public awareness of the proposal. zone will extend to 700 ft (213 m) above will be impacted by construction or The existing ROTHR systems in ground level. This airspace should be operation of the ROTHR in Puerto Rico. Virginia and Texas provide incomplete avoided by all untested aircraft Construction of the transmitter site coverage of the South American source equipped with EED-or CAD-actuated will require leveling the ground surface countries, Peru, Bolivia, and Colombia, systems that are exposed. The existence supporting the transmitter antennas. In resulting in gaps that are exploited by of this EED zone will be published as a order to meet specific criteria for the drug traffickers. Implementation of the Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) on designed system, approximately 10 ROTHR system in Puerto Rico, which aeronautical charts and contained in acres (4 hectares) of the transmitter site will complement the two existing flight information publications handled must be permanently leveled. An ROTHR systems, will provide virtually by the FAA. additional 70 acres (28 hectares) will be complete coverage of this area. The Some modern aircraft controls and smoothed, and sloped with the natural action can, therefore, be regarded as navigation systems are comprised of terrain toward the lagoon. This grading having a cumulatively positive effect, electronic devices. The potential exists will result in a permanent change to since the project will be an essential for induced currents from topography in the area of the transmitter component in the curtailment of drug electromagnetic fields to cause these site. To meet specific criteria for the trafficking, which is a top priority of the devices to malfunction or produce designed receiver system at the Fort U.S. Government and the erroneous data. Transmitter Allen site, approximately 117 acres (47 Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. electromagnetic emissions will not hectares) will be permanently leveled No significant cumulative impacts to interfere with Instrument Landing and the soil will be redistributed. Best human health, land use, socioeconomic, Systems (ILS) or aircraft navigation and management practices, controls, and community facilities and services, control systems that are beyond 700 ft procedures will be utilized at the transportation, infrastructure, air (213 m) of the transmitter antennas. To Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices 7769 prevent the accidental disruption of transmitter site. Laguna Playa Grande • Surface and subsurface debris aircraft controls and instruments in the Conservation Zone is one of seven zones encountered during construction will be airspace of the transmitter site, a established by the Navy as a result of removed and disposed of in an NOTAM will be published through the the 1983 MOU regarding the island of appropriate manner. The debris, such as FAA advising aircraft to stay clear of the Vieques between the Navy and the old tent canvases and bags of refuse, affected airspace, so that safe separation Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The will be collected and disposed offsite in distances will be maintained between cleared area outside the fenceline for landfills. The Navy will perform any all aircraft and the transmitter antennas construction of the transmitter facility testing required prior to landfill (airspace restrictions for commercial will be located above the 16 ft (5 m) disposal. EEDs, are actually larger than this area contour of the Laguna Playa Grande • Debris removal will be limited to and therefore only one NOTAM will be Conservation Zone boundary, and, the intrusive ground activities required published for the EED restricted therefore, the Conservation Zone will be for the construction of the ROTHR airspace). avoided. In addition, best management antenna array and will be supervised by The high frequency (HF) radio practices for erosion control at the an environmental engineer. spectrum is utilized by numerous transmitter site will be implemented to • Construction activities will be licensed users in the Fixed and avoid indirect impact. These will conducted in a way to minimize Broadcast Service frequency bands. To include the use of silt fences, diversion windborne dust. Appropriate health and prevent ROTHR transmissions from ditches, and sedimentation basins. safety measures will be implemented to interfering with other users of the HF To diminish light potentially reaching protect workers from inhalation or spectrum, ROTHR will be licensed to the beach, the Navy, where possible, ingestion of dust. transmit on a ‘‘not-to-interfere’’ basis. will orient outside lights away from the • Appropriate measures will be taken The ROTHR system will not transmit in beach. Additionally, the Navy will use to minimize the potential for overland the licensed frequency bands of the low-pressure sodium vapor luminaries flow of runoff and associated sediment Broadcast Services (emergency, (LPS) which emit only yellow light, and from the site (i.e., areas will not be amateur, commercial, etc.) in the region which have been demonstrated to have flooded during construction, or if of the transmitter site. These frequencies minimal effect on sea turtle adults or the required temporary containment ponds will be permanently blocked out within ability of hatchlings to find the sea. will be built). the ROTHR control system. In the These two measures in concert will • The area will be revegetated as soon available frequency bands, ROTHR will mitigate potential effects on sea turtles. as feasible after construction to avoid interference by continually About 22 acres (9 hectares) of the minimize soil erosion due to wind or monitoring the HF spectrum for unused mahogany plantation will be impacted precipitation. Native vegetation will be frequencies. Transmissions will only by construction of the transmitter planted if the speed of natural occur at frequencies that have been facility at the Playa Grande Site. revegetation processes allows excessive monitored and determined to be clear of Planting of mahogany saplings in a opportunities for soil erosion. activity. If an interference does occur suitable location will be conducted as Comments Received on the FEIS between ROTHR and another HF user, mitigation. The mahogany trees will be a formal complaint can be filed through planted between and adjacent to the A total of eight comment letters were the FCC to resolve further conflicts. trees which will not be disturbed by the received on the FEIS. Two letters merely The total wetlands impact of 0.25 construction. The replacement reiterated comments previously acres will be offset by the construction mahogany trees will be purchased under submitted on the DEIS and SDEIS and of approximately 7618 linear feet of new a guaranteed contract so that the identified no new issues. The ditch, approximately 4 feet deep and 6 supplier will be responsible for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) feet wide. The area of ditch bottom (1.05 replacement of any trees that die. submitted a letter stating that EPA did acres) will rapidly evolve to a state of During construction of the transmitter not anticipate that the project will cause equal wetland function-and-value to the facility on Vieques, including roadway any significant adverse environmental displaced wetland. Therefore, in relocation and parking lot construction, impacts, provided that the Navy follows accordance with the Navy No-Net-Loss- soils will be exposed to rain and wind. the identified mitigation measures. EPA of-Wetlands-Policy, an effective ratio of Best management practices for sediment expressed no concerns with the project 4:1 compensatory mitigation will be and erosion control will be used at the as proposed. achieved on site. transmitter site to ensure that a majority The U.S. Department of Interior (DOI) Relative to potential for bird strikes at of the eroded sediments are prevented expressed continued concern over the the transmitter, along the antenna from entering the Laguna Playa Grande. potential for impacts to the Laguna support wires, 3 in (7.6 cm) diameter Details of the project specific soil Playa Grande and surrounding white ceramic insulators will be placed erosion control plans are included in mangroves from increased at approximately 15 foot (4.6 m) the FEIS. sedimentation. They requested that best intervals to break up the cable sections, The receiver site is in the 100-year management practices for sediment and making them less conductive for floodplain. Design considerations to erosion control be incorporated into the electricity. These ceramic insulators reduce obstructions to the water flow project plans and specifications prior to will make the wires more visible to and to prevent damage to the receiver request for bids. They also birds than unmarked electrical wires. system are specified in the FEIS. recommended that storm water The support wires extend from the Measures to minimize the impact of management measures should be structures to the ground in a vast construction of the receiver array, installed during and prior to completion network and are more visible than related support facilities, and clear of the construction process, with the electrical wires which are generally zones will be taken in areas where purpose of reducing pollutants in storm parallel with the horizon, and, therefore, contaminants have been detected at Fort water discharged after construction is should reduce potential effects from Allen. These measures are outlined completed. In addition to soil bird strikes. below and will be included in the stabilization and structural practices, The Laguna Playa Grande is located project health and safety plan, and soil they recommended that a vegetated approximately 300 ft (91 m) south of the erosion control plan. buffer be established adjacent to the 7770 Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices project boundary to further minimize 9) and the Navy’s adherence to direction process. For Act No. 9 compliance, EQB runoff into the lagoon. As stated in the provided by the Puerto Rico regulations require that an FEIS for a FEIS, the sedimentation and soil erosion Environmental Quality Board (EQB) proposed project be made available for control plan is the responsibility of the based on its review of the Navy’s NEPA public review and that notice of the construction contractor, subject to Navy documentation. Article 4(C) of Act No. availability be published. This notice review and EQB approval. However, the 9 and implementing regulations may be published upon receipt of EQB Navy will encourage the contractor to establish the environmental review comments on the environmental use soil stabilization and structural requirements that Commonwealth documentation. practices, as appropriate. Additionally, government entities must follow when As noted above, the EQB resolution the design includes erosion and proposing a project or granting offering their comments was issued on sediment control measures, both during necessary approvals before a project September 16, 1997. Distribution of the construction and as a permanent facility may proceed. The Commonwealth FEIS to the public began on September upon completion of the project. During process is comparable to that required of 19, 1997; and the Notice of Availability construction, a series of silt dams will Federal government entities under of the FEIS was published in local be provided to control the site runoff. A NEPA. newspapers on September 27, 1997. sediment basin will also be installed The Navy voluntarily complied with There is no Commonwealth statutory or during the first phase of construction, Article 9 and solicited EQB review and regulatory requirement to delay before land clearing begins. All of the comment on the project’s NEPA issuance of the FEIS until completion of site drainage is directed toward this documentation for two purposes. First, the administrative appeals process. approximately 10 acre basin. The basin under NEPA, the Navy must solicit Accordingly, with respect to will remain in place after construction. comments from appropriate State and publication of the notice of availability A vegetated buffer was not included as local agencies that are authorized to of the FEIS, the Navy has complied with part of the project since all site drainage develop and enforce environmental both NEPA and Act No. 9 requirements. will be directed toward the basin, and standards. Second, as recognized in the The letters also expressed concern there will be no sheet flow into the Navy’s NEPA documentation, that the Navy did not properly discuss lagoon. However, as previously stated, Commonwealth permits and other the findings of EQB’s consultant, Dr. no clearing will occur below the 5 meter regulatory approvals will be required for Arthur Guy. The Navy did include in contour, therefore, existing vegetation the project. When issuing these permits the FEIS a summary of Dr. Guy’s adjacent to the lagoon will be and approvals, Commonwealth recommendations (p. 10–77). Although maintained. government entities must comply with Dr. Guy’s calculations for Radio DOI also recommended that soil Act No. 9 requirements. EQB regulations Frequency Radiation (RFR) levels erosion control measures be allow a Commonwealth government exceed the ANSI/IEEE standards for implemented at the Fort Allen receiver entity to comply with Act No. 9 by some scenarios, he acknowledges in the site in order to restrict sediments and ‘‘adopting’’ a Federal EIS prepared for a report that the calculations are other contaminants from entering the on project. In an effort to ensure that the conservative and that the projections do site wetlands and adjacent water bodies. adoption process could be utilized, the not account for attenuation resulting A sedimentation and soil erosion Navy has coordinated with EQB from from a variety of factors. Dr. Guy also control plan for the Fort Allen receiver the early stages of the EIS development acknowledges in the report that his site will be prepared by the construction to guarantee that the procedural theoretical analysis represents a worst contractor. As with the Playa Grande requirements of Act No. 9 were case scenario. The Navy’s analysis of transmitter site, the plan will be subject followed. anticipated field strength values to Navy review and EQB approval. EQB issued a resolution on September indicates that the ANSI/IEEE standards DOI also requested that the Navy 16, 1997. The resolution offered EQB’s will be met at the proposed fence consider using Swan Flight Diverters comments on the project SDEIS and location. Dr. Guy states that it will be (spiral vibration dampers) or similar certified that the SDEIS complied with necessary to conduct actual field devices at the transmitter to minimize all requirements of Article 4(C) of Act measurements to determine if the bird strikes, and requested an No. 9. Motions for Reconsideration of facility is in compliance with ANSI/ opportunity to review plans for their this resolution were considered by the IEEE. As stated previously, in the installation. The Navy will investigate EQB, and on December 16, 1997 the unlikely event that the initial the possibility of using these devices, Board determined that the Motions were measurements indicate that the ANSI/ and will coordinate with the U.S. Fish ‘‘without cause’’ and reaffirmed its IEEE standards are not being met, the and Wildlife Service Caribbean Office. decision that the environmental Navy will adjust the fence location, as DOI also recommended that the Navy document submitted by the Navy was in needed. If measurements taken at the direct lights away from the beach and conformance with Article 4(C) of Act southernmost portion of the proposed use low-pressure sodium vapor No. 9. fence exceed the standards, the Navy luminaries for all light sources that may The four letters received from private will reduce power levels to achieve affect sea turtles. As previously stated, citizens and citizen groups expressed compliance. The Navy will reduce the the Navy will direct lights away from concerns that the Navy prematurely power versus move the fence because of the beach, if possible, and will use low- issued the FEIS prior to completion of a Navy commitment to avoid any pressure sodium vapor luminaries for the administrative appeals process construction in the conservation zone, all exterior lighting. DOI’s additional under Act. No. 9. Under NEPA, the which lies to the south of the site. In the comments on the mahogany forest Navy may publish a notice of event the Navy must reduce the power mitigation were previously addressed in availability of an FEIS once it receives level, the ROTHR will still be able to the FEIS. and analyzes comments on a draft effectively accomplish its mission. Four letters were received from document and addresses in the FEIS Finally, commenters questioned private citizens and citizen groups, and those comments that are relevant. The whether EPA’s concerns about wetlands focused on issues related to the Navy’s FEIS prepared by the Navy addressed and impacts on the Playa Grande compliance with Article 4(C) of the comments made by the public and Conservation Zone in Vieques had been Puerto Rico Public Policy Act (Act No. agencies during the public participation resolved. As previously indicated, the Federal Register / Vol. 63, No. 31 / Tuesday, February 17, 1998 / Notices 7771

EPA has concluded that the project will SUMMARY: The Deputy Chief Information Dated: February 10, 1998. not cause any significant adverse Officer, Office of the Chief Information Gloria Parker, environmental impacts. Officer, invites comments on the Deputy Chief Information Officer, Office of The remaining issues identified in the submission for OMB review as required the Chief Information Officer. comment letters dealing with the by the Paperwork Reduction Act of effectiveness of the system, use of ANSI/ 1995. Office of Educational Research and Improvement IEEE standards, compliance with the DATES: Interested persons are invited to 1983 MOU, impacts to the mahogany submit comments on or before March Type of Review: Reinstatement. trees, environmental justice and the 19, 1998. Title: Field Test New Assessment potential for cumulative impacts have Items for Third International been previously addressed in the FEIS ADDRESSES: Written comments should Mathematics and Science Study and require no further discussion. be addressed to the Office of Replication (TIMSS–R). Information and Regulatory Affairs, Frequency: Field test for new Conclusion Attention: Danny Werfel, Desk Officer, assessment items. Existing ROTHR systems in Virginia Department of Education, Office of Affected Public: Individuals or and Texas have already demonstrated Management and Budget, 725 17th households; Not-for-profit institutions. the ability to reliably detect, track, and Street, NW., Room 10235, New Reporting Burden and Recordkeeping: aid in the interception of light civil Executive Office Building, Washington, Responses: 625. Burden Hours: 1,563. aircraft of the type used by drug DC 20503. Requests for copies of the Abstract: In order to provide traffickers. However, the Virginia and proposed information collection international benchmarks against which Texas ROTHR systems and other requests should be addressed to Patrick to measure the mathematics surveillance methods provide J. Sherrill, Department of Education, 600 performance of American students as incomplete coverage of the South Independence Avenue, S.W., Room part of the President’s new voluntary American source countries, resulting in 5624, Regional Office Building 3, test, and to measure progress toward the gaps that are exploited by drug Washington, DC 20202–4651. U.S. national goal of being first in the traffickers. Early detection and tracking FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: world in mathematics and science in the provided by the Puerto Rico ROTHR Patrick J. Sherrill (202) 708–8196. year 2000, the National Center for will improve reaction time of counter- Individuals who use a Education Statistics (NCES) desires to narcotic forces, increasing their telecommunications device for the deaf repeat TIMSS in the U.S. in 1999. efficiency and effectiveness. (TDD) may call the Federal Information Office of the Under Secretary Although the no action alternative Relay Service (FIRS) at 1–800–877–8339 would result in no environmental Type of Review: Revision. between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., Eastern time, Title: Longitudinal Evaluation of impacts, the minimal impacts associated Monday through Friday. with construction at the selected School Change and Performance SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: locations, as well as the benefits which Section (LESCP). Frequency: Annually. will result from the ROTHR, make the 3506 of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U. S. C. Chapter 35) requires Affected Public: State, local or Tribal selected alternative the environmentally Government, SEAs or LEAs. preferred alternative. that the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) provide interested Reporting and Recordkeeping Hour Questions regarding the Burden: Responses: 13,690. Burden Environmental Impact Statement Federal agencies and the public an early opportunity to comment on information Hours: 45,901. prepared for this action may be directed Abstract: The LESCP is being to: Commander, Atlantic Division Naval collection requests. OMB may amend or waive the requirement for public conducted in response to the legislative Facilities Engineering Command, 1510 requirement in P.L. 103–382, Section Gilbert Street, Norfolk, VA 23511–2699 consultation to the extent that public participation in the approval process 1501 to assess the implementation of (Attention: Ms. Linda Blount, Code Title I and related education reforms. 2032LB), telephone (757) 322–4892, E- would defeat the purpose of the information collection, violate State or The information will be used to mail [email protected] examine changes—over a 3-year or fax (757) 322–4894. Federal law, or substantially interfere with any agency’s ability to perform its period—that are occurring in schools Dated: February 11, 1998. statutory obligations. The Deputy Chief and classrooms. Teachers and teacher Duncan Holaday, Information Officer, Office of the Chief aides will complete a mail survey, and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy Information Officer, publishes this district Title I administrators, (Installations and Facilities). notice containing proposed information principals, school-based staff, and Dated: February 11, 1998. collection requests prior to submission parents will be interviewed during on- Lou Rae Langevin, of these requests to OMB. Each site field work. Lt, JAGC, USN, Alternate Federal Register proposed information collection, [FR Doc. 98–3820 Filed 2–13–98; 8:45 am] Liaison Officer. grouped by office, contains the BILLING CODE 4000±01±P [FR Doc. 98–3903 Filed 2–13–98; 8:45 am] following: (1) Type of review requested, BILLING CODE 3810±FF±P e.g., new, revision, extension, existing or reinstatement; (2) Title; (3) Summary DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY of the collection; (4) Description of the DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION need for, and proposed use of, the Draft Programmatic Environmental information; (5) Respondents and Impact Statement for Alternative Submission for OMB Review; frequency of collection; and (6) Strategies for the Long-Term Comment Request Reporting and/or Recordkeeping Management and Use of Depleted Uranium Hexafluoride AGENCY: Department of Education. burden. OMB invites public comment at the address specified above. Copies of ACTION: Submission for OMB review; AGENCY: Department of Energy. the requests are available from Patrick J. comment request. ACTION: Notice of availability. Sherrill at the address specified above.