[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 159 (Thursday, August 18, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-20248]


[[Page Unknown]]

[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modernization or removal of outdated facilities and improvements in 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]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M