Coast Guard seeks comments on Loran system
May discontinue system beyond December 2007
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On January 8 the US Coast Guard and Dept of Transportation, in conjunction with the Homeland Security Department, asked for public input in the Federal Register on whether to shut down the 24-station Loran system operated by the Coast Guard, or to develop a fully deployed enhanced Loran (eLoran) system that could serve as a GPS backup. Comments are due Feb. 7.
The Department of Homeland Security had zeroed out funding for the continuation of the Loran in its 2007 fiscal year budget, but Congress voted to put the money back in for one year. Congress has provided the Coast Guard with $160 million in funding to modernize the 1997 Loran system, and upgraded eLoran stations can provide location accuracies as good as GPS, according to a recent United Kingdom study.
Anglers, boaters, pilots, etc have an opportunity to sound off about the possible deactivation of the Loran system. The Coast Guard is requesting public comments on the issue until Feb. 7. The agency will then evaluate the future use of the system.
China’s test last week of an anti-satellite missile reinforced the need to continue operation of the ground-based long-range Loran system as backup to the space-based Global Positioning System (GPS).
According to the Federal Register, “Future investment decisions might include: Decommissioning the LORAN–C system, maintaining the LORAN–C system as currently configured, or developing a fully deployed Enhanced LORAN (eLORAN) system.”
Comments may be submitted by using the Coast Guard docket number USCG 24685 to the Docket Management Facility at the U.S. Department of Transportation by one of the following methods:
(1) Web Site: <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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– 24685 <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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(2) Mail:
Docket Management Facility,
U.S. Department of Transportation,
400 Seventh Street, SW
Washington, DC 20590–0001
(3) Fax: 202–493–2251
If you submit a comment, include your name and address, identify the docket number for this notice (USCG–2006–24685) and give the reason for each comment. You may obtain a copy of this notice by calling the U.S. Coast Guard Infoline at 800–368–5647 or read it on the Internet on the Coast Guard Navigation Center Web site at <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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or at <url url="[Permission to view this media is denied]
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It’s also available right here:
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Remember, your comments are due by February 8
Congress has provided the Coast Guard with $160 million in funding to modernize the 1997 Loran system, and upgraded eLoran stations can provide location accuracies as good as GPS, according to a recent United Kingdom study.
That makes sense… update an outdated system. How about diverting that money to building a working barrier for Asian Carp in Illinois and the rest toward stopping ships from dumping untreated ballast water.
I think they might be concerned that about 10 days ago China sucessfully launched and detonated a "sattelite killer" missle, with such commercial (not to mention military)reliance on GPS nowadays, a few missing sattelites could cripple our economy. Agreed with the carp barrier and stricter ballast laws needed, though goverment is way too reactive and its seems whenever we have someone trying to take proactive steps they are always a doomsayer or just ignored.
Oh, and to back up the need for a better carp barrier check these out.
Part 1
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Part 2
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