[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 24 (Friday, February 4, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-2506]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: February 4, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Army

 

Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for the Theater Missile Defense Extended Test Range

AGENCY: Department of the Army, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the 
Theater Missile Defense (TMD) Extended Test Range proposal is now 
available for review and comment. The DEIS has assessed potential 
impacts associated with conducting extended range missile and sensor 
tests at four alternative test range areas. The TMD program would allow 
for the development of a means to protect deployed U.S. forces, as well 
as U.S. friends and allies around the world, against attacks by short- 
and medium-range ballistic, cruise, or air-to-surface missiles armed 
with conventional, nuclear, biological, or chemical warheads.
    These tests would consist of multiple demonstration and 
developmental missile launches along proposed flight paths from off-
range locations, with intercepts of targets over existing range areas 
or open sea areas located within and outside of the United States. 
Surface-to-surface missile tests are also proposed. These flights are 
needed to validate system design and operational effectiveness.
    The DEIS addresses, to the extent possible, the potential 
environmental impacts that would result from test site modifications, 
launch preparation requirements, missile flights along the proposed 
flight paths, and intercepts of targets over existing ranges or open 
sea areas. 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, socioeconomics, hazardous materials and waste, health and 
safety, land use, infrastructure and transportation, and biological and 
cultural resources.

Lead agency: U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command
Cooperating agencies: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, United 
States Air Force, United States Navy, Bureau of Land Management, 
Federal Aviation Administration.

    Proposed action: The proposed action is to conduct extended range 
tests of target missiles, defensive missiles, and sensor systems at one 
or more of four test range areas. The tests would involve target and 
defensive missile launches from existing test ranges and from off-range 
locations. Potential off-range launch locations may include land areas 
and sea-based platforms. Missile-to-missile intercepts would occur over 
existing test range areas or over open sea areas. Approximately 100 
flight tests could occur during the period 1994 to 2000, from more than 
one off-range location, and potentially from more than one test range 
area. Alternatives for conducting these missile flight tests and 
intercepts, which are evaluated in the TMD Extended Test Range DEIS, 
are:
    1. White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM. This alternative includes 
missile launches and sensor testing at WSMR and Ft. Bliss, TX, with 
off-range missile launches from Ft. Wingate Depot Activity, NM, and the 
Green River Launch Complex, UT.
    2. Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL. This alternative includes 
missile launches and sensor testing at Eglin AFB on Santa Rosa Island 
and at Cape San Blas, with off-range missile launches from a sea-based 
platform in the Gulf of Mexico.
    3. The Western Range, CA. This alternative includes missile 
launches and sensor testing at Vandenberg AFB, San Nicolas Island, and 
San Clemente Island, with off-range missile launches from a sea-based 
platform in the Pacific Ocean.
    4. Kwajalein Missile Range (KMR), U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, 
Republic of the Marshall Islands. This alternative includes missile 
launches and sensor testing at KMR and Wake Island with off-range 
missile launches from a sea-based platform in the Pacific Ocean.

DATES: The Army will conduct public hearings concerning the Draft EIS 
in the following communities. Public comments are invited through 28 
March, 1994.

February 22, 1994--Gallup, New Mexico, Oxnard, California
February 23, 1994--Crownpoint, New Mexico, Lompoc, California
March 1, 1994--Shiprock, New Mexico, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida
March 2, 1994--Moab, Utah, Port St. Joe, Florida

ADDRESSEE: 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 
28 March 1994. To record requests for further information, call toll 
free 1-800-603-3030.

    Dated: January 28, 1994.
Lewis D. Walker,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environmental, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 94-2506 Filed 2-3-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M