[Federal Register: August 10, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army
Availability of a Supplement to the Theater Missile Defense
Extended Test Range Draft Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Department of the Army, Department of Defense.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement
(DEIS) for the Theater Missile Defense (TMD) Extended Test Range
proposal is now available for review and comment. The Supplement to the
DEIS was prepared to supplement the information provided in the TMD
Extended Test Range DEIS and identifies and assesses potential
environmental impacts of additional booster drop zones associated with
the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) extended test range alternative.
Only the proposed additional booster drop zones for the WSMR extended
test range alternative are discussed in the Supplement. Assessment and
discussions pertaining to the overall TMD Extended Test Range proposal
are contained in the DEIS published in January 1994. The four extended
test range alternatives addressed in the DEIS are Eglin AFB, Florida,
(including Cape San Blas), Western Range California (including
Vandenberg AFB, Point Mugu, and San Clemente Island), and U.S. Army
Kwajalein Atoll and Wake Island in the mid-Pacific.
The TMB Extended Test Range DEIS identified potentially significant
environmental impacts associated with the original booster drop zones
identified for the proposed Fort Wingate Depot Activity (FWDA), New
Mexico, and Green River Launch Complex (GRLC), Utah, sites. Through
consultation with appropriate government agencies, meetings with
environmental groups, contacts with local land owners, and selection of
a booster having different technical requirements, the U.S. Army has
identified additional booster drop zones that may reduce environmental
impacts resulting from booster drops. In keeping with the spirit and
purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Army
determined that a Supplement to the DEIS is appropriate to address
these additional booster drop zone because of the significant new
circumstances relevant to the proposed action. At this time, use of
these additional drop zones is preferred over the use of the original
drop zones addressed in the prior DEIS. However, a decision will not be
made until at least 30 days after distribution of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement.
The Supplement to the DEIS addresses the potential environmental
impacts that would result from the use of these additional booster drop
zones identified for the GRLC and FWDA located in the WSMR extended
test range alternative. It also identifies any mitigation measures that
could avoid or lessen those impacts. Environmental resource topics
evaluated include: air quality, airspace, noise, geology and soils,
water resources, socioeconomic, hazardous materials and waste, health
and safety, land use, infrastructure and transportation, and biological
and cultural resources.
The lead agency is the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense
Command. Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, United States Air
Force, United States Navy, and Federal Aviation Administration are
cooperating agencies.
Subsequent to the publication of the TMD Extended Test Range DEIS,
additional booster drop zones were identified for the WSMR extended
test range alternative. This Supplement to the DEIS supplements the
information provided in the TMD Extended Test Range DEIS and describes
and analyzes the potential impacts of utilizing these additional target
vehicle booster drop zones located along the target missile flight
paths between the GRLC and FWDA launch points and the WSMR.
The proposed action associated with the overall TMD program is to
conduct multiple missile test and operational flights and supporting
activities along extended-range flight paths with missile intercepts
occurring over existing test ranges or open sea areas. The proposed
action includes test site modifications and launch preparations
required in order to conduct test and operational flights.
Approximately 100 flight test events would be conducted from one or
more off-range locations and potentially at more than one extended test
range. The four ranges under consideration are WSMR, New Mexico; Eglin
AFB, Florida (including Cape San Blas); Western Range California
(including Vandenberg AFB, Point Mugu, and San Clemente Island); and
U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll and Wake Island in the mid-Pacific. For the
purpose of environmental analysis, four tests per month from each
extended test range alternative are assumed. Tests would begin in 1995
and continue through 2000.
DATES: The Army will conduct public hearings concerning the Supplement
to the DEIS in the following communities. Public comments are invited
through September 28, 1994.
August 23, 1994--Magdalena, New Mexico, Monticello, Utah
August 24, 1994--Grants, New Mexico, Salt Lake City, Utah
ADDRESSES: Written comments may be forwarded to: Mr. David Hasley, U.S.
Army Space and Strategic Defense Command, ATTN: CSSD-EN-V, P.O. Box
1500, Huntsville, AL 35807-3801. Written comments should be received by
September 28, 1994. To record requests for further information call
toll free 1-800-603-3030.
Dated: August 5, 1994.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environmental, Safety
and Occupational Health) OASA (I, L&E)
[FR Doc. 94-19528 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]
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