[Federal Register: August 18, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of Army
Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for
Projects and Activities Associated With Future Programs at White Sands
Missile Range (WSMR)
AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: This notice of availability is for the White Sands Missile
Range Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS addresses
the potential impacts of several categories of future test projects
being planned at WSMR. The future testing categories include: missile
testing (i.e. Multiple Launch Rocket System, Special Launch Vehicle,
and Standard Missile), high altitude testing (i.e. High Altitude
Balloon Experiment and Research Rockets), environmental testing (Large
Blasts, Temperature Testing), high energy (Lasers, RADARS).
In the past, WSMR incorporated the National Environmental Policy
Act (NEPA) requirements into project planning on a case-by-case basis.
To better evaluate the cumulative effects of unrelated actions being
planned at the same time the DEIS incorporates all known and future
programs. The analysis addresses potential impacts and cumulative
effects. Mitigation of these effects is incorporated into the proposed
action. The lead agency is U.S. Army (White Sands Missile Range). The
U.S. Air Force, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Defense Nuclear
Agency, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration are
cooperating agencies.
The proposed action includes a combination of three different
functions: (1) Continuation of current project activities and existing
operations and services, including routine maintenance; (2)
modernization or removal of outdated facilities and improvements in
infrastructure, utilities, and services as necessary; (3) acceptance of
new test programs that are projected, and resulting changes in site
usage and services. The program changes may include expansions or
reductions in the scope of existing activities, with consequent
requirements for either increases or decreases in utilities and
service.
The no action alternative is the other alternative considered. This
alternative represents the status quo and presumes that current
operations would continue at approximately their current rates into the
future. This alternative means no new projects would be conducted at
WSMR. All existing actions which are currently the subject of
environmental documentation including associated mitigation measures
and mitigative planning strategies, would be implemented under the no
action alternative.
The alternative of closing WSMR is briefly discussed and put aside
as out of scope. No Congressional or DoD indications have been given
that this action is contemplated, and special NEPA processes to address
the shutdown and conversion of military bases have been established for
such analyses.
DATES: This notice announces the beginning of the public hearing period
and comment process. Comments should be received on or before September
2, 1994 following the public hearings. Public hearings will be held
within the next six weeks in Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Socorro, and
Albuquerque, New Mexico. Exact dates and locations will be advertised
in the local media.
ADDRESSES: Anyone wishing to receive a copy of this DEIS may send a
postcard with their name and address to Advanced Sciences Inc., 555
Telshor, Suite 310, Attn: Tim Cohen, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Persons and
organizations wishing to comment on the EIS may attend the public
meetings or may send written comments to Commander, White Sands Missile
Range, Attn: STEWS-DES/Robert Andreoli, White Sands Missile Range, NM
88002-5048.
Dated: August 8, 1994.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Environment, Safety and
Occupational Health), OASA (I, L&E).
[FR Doc. 94-20248 Filed 8-17-94; 8:45 am]
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