[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]
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