REFERENCE: January 7, 2010 Federal Register
SUMMARY: The Department of Homeland Security, United States Coast Guard, has announced the availability of the Record of Decision to decommission the USCG Loran-C program and terminate transmission of the North American Loran-C radio navigation signal.
MAJOR HIGHLIGHTS: On Oct. 28, 2009, the president of the United States signed into law the 2010 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.
This act allows for the termination of the Loran-C system subject to the U.S. Coast Guard certifying that termination of the Loran-C signal will not adversely impact the safety of maritime navigation, and the Department of Homeland Security certifying that the Loran-C system infrastructure is not needed as a backup to the GPS system or to meet any other federal navigation requirements. Those certifications were made, and the U.S. Coast Guard, commencing on or about Feb. 8, 2010, will implement plans to terminate the transmission of the Loran-C signal and commence a phased decommissioning of the Loran-C infrastructure.
These plans include ending transmissions at 18 Loran stations in the contiguous United States and six Loran stations in Alaska.
The Department of Homeland Security anticipates all Loran stations will cease transmitting the Loran-C signal by Oct. 1, 2010.
AEA COMMENTARY:
While anticipated for some time, the shutdown of LORAN-C signals should be broadcast to AEA member customers who still operate LORAN navigation units.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Contact Ric Peri, AEA vice president of government and industry affairs, by email at ricp@aea.net or by phone at 202-589-1144.