[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 153 (Wednesday, August 10, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-19528]


[[Page Unknown]]

[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]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M