Record of Decision for the Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) for the Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program

[Federal Register: April 28, 1995]

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

AGENCY: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO).

SUMMARY: On April 23, 1995, the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) signed the Record of Decision (ROD) on research, development, and testing of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) capability. The decision included in this ROD has been made in consideration of, but not limited to, the information contained in the Ballistic Missile Defense Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (Final PEIS) filed with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on November 18, 1994. Other factors considered in this decision include the present and projected threat, cost, and administrative and congressional directives.

The BMD programmatic alternatives arose from existing and potential national security needs. The need for further research and development of BMD capability comes from the threat posed by the global proliferation of missile technology, and the accompanying production and development of weapons of mass destruction. This threat is compounded by improvements to missile performance and weapon design by other nations, as well as increases in the number of missile-armed nations. The ROD documents the BMDO decision between the programmatic alternatives.
The BMD program includes both National Missile Defense (NMD) and Theater Missile Defense (TMD) segments under the direction of BMDO. The NMD segment of the program considers developing ground and space-based elements, including Ground-Based Sensor (GBS), Ground-Based Interceptor (GBI), Space-Based Sensor (SBS), and Battle Management/Command, Control, and Communications (BM/C3) elements, to defend the United States against long-range missiles. The TMD segment [[Page 20974]] considers developing transportable systems to defend elements of the armed forces of the United States deployed abroad, and United States' allies, against short- and medium-range missiles. The TMD segment was analyzed separately in the TMD Programmatic EIS, due to the distinct functions and independent utility of the TMD and NMD segments.
The decision conveyed by the ROD is to continue research, development, and testing of NMD capabilities. The decision includes continuing the NMD Technology Readiness Program but does not include the procurement or acquisition of an operational NMD system. Only limited NMD research, development, and testing is to continue. The acquisition of TMD system capabilities will continue as described in the TMD ROD published in the Federal Register on August 11, 1994 (59 FR 41277).
The specific decision with respect to NMD is to continue a focused approach to technology development in the form of the Technology Readiness Program (the Preferred Action in the Final PEIS). The program involves the development of existing and new technologies and test systems for BM/C3, GBS, GBI, and SBS elements. Research is to be focused to ensure the capability to deploy a limited NMD system in the next decade. Basic technology efforts will continue to infuse new advances as the program proceeds. Contingency planning and options development will continue to be conducted to meet unexpected threats. Three NMD System Acquisition Alternatives were also evaluated. These alternatives consisted of proceeding with system acquisition and design of NMD elements through the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the DoD System Acquisition Life-cycle. Activities included in the EMD phase involve development and testing of elements up to, but not including, element and/or system production and basing. The System Acquisition Alternatives evaluated were:

Ground- and Space-Based Sensors and Ground- and Space-Based Interceptors System Acquisition Alternative (which consists of Engineering and Manufacturing Development of GBS, SBS, GBI, SBI, and BM/C3);
All Ground-Based System Acquisition Alternative (which consists of Engineering and Manufacturing Development of GBS, GBI, and BM/C3); and
Ground- and Space-Based Sensors and Ground-Based Interceptors System Acquisition Alternative (which consists of Engineering and Manufacturing Development of GBS, SBS, GBI, and BM/C3). The Final PEIS analyses determined that environmental impacts for the Preferred Action (No Action Alternative) or any of the three System Acquisition Alternatives would be minimal. The Final PEIS analyses found no significant and unavoidable environmental impacts for the Preferred Action or any of the three alternatives. The Preferred Action would be termed the environmentally preferred alternative since there would be fewer activities associated with its implementation, and therefore fewer impacts. The other alternatives would generally create greater areas of disturbance, require more resources, and create more and greater hazards than the Preferred Action although the environmental impact of all options would be minimal. Therefore, the implementation of BMD research, development, and testing activities and associated mitigation measures will proceed with minimal adverse impact to the environment. BMDO Deputies and Program Executive Officers are tasked to monitor these activities to ensure that the required environmental standards and controls described in the Final PEIS are followed. BMDO activities will conform with all applicable Federal, state, and local statutes and regulations. Additionally, all reasonable and practical efforts and appropriate safeguards will be implemented to minimize harm to the public and the environment. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Richard Lehner, BMDO/SRE, Washington, DC 20301-7100, (703) 695-8743.
Dated: April 25, 1995.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 95-10459 Filed 4-27-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5000-04-M