[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29145]


[Federal Register: November 28, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


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

agency: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO).

action: Notice of availability.

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sumamry: The BMDO has finished and is now making available the 
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Final Programmatic Environmental Impact 
Statement (FPEIS). The purpose of the BMD Program is to develop the 
capabilities to protect both the United States, and those areas of 
vital interest to the United States (e.g., U.S. troops, allies, and 
friends) from ballistic missile attack. The BMD FPEIS analyzes the 
potential environmental impacts associated with the Preferred Action 
and three alternatives.
    The BMD Program consists of two segments, Theater Missile Defense 
(TMD) and National Missile Defense (NMD). TMD, though part of the BMD 
Program, has independent utility and is evaluated in its own PEIS. 
Under all alternatives in the BMD FPEIS, the acquisition of TMD system 
capabilities will continue as described in the TMD Record of Decision 
published in the Federal Register on August 11, 1994. Additional 
details about the TMD program may be found in the Final Theater Missile 
Defense Programmatic Life-Cycle Environmental Impact Statement prepared 
by the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command.
    The Preferred Action in the BMD FPEIS is to continue a focused 
approach to long-lead time technology development in the form of the 
NMD Technology Readiness Program. The Preferred Action is also the No 
Action Alternative as it is a continuation of current BMDO policy. The 
NMD Technology Readiness Program involves the development of existing 
and new technologies and test systems for ground- and space-based 
elements (excluding Space-Based interceptors). 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 also continue to be conducted to meet unexpected 
threats.
    The FPEIS also analyzes three System Acquisition Alternatives for 
the continued research and development of a BMD system capability by 
the Department of Defense (DoD). The environmental impacts of later 
life-cycle phases beyond research, development, and testing for these 
alternatives are discussed in the FPEIS to enhance future decision-
making on whether and how the DoD could proceed with a BMD system. 
Alternatives to the Preferred Action analyzed in the FPEIS include:
     Ground-and Space-Based Sensors and Ground and Space-Based 
Interceptors System Acquisition Alternative. Under this alternative, 
BMDO would proceed with research, development, and testing activities 
similar to the Preferred Action but at a more intense level of effort. 
This alternative would also allow for the acquisition of a Ground-and 
Space-Based NMD system to proceed to the development of a system 
capability.
     All Ground-Based System Acquisition Alternative. Under 
this alternative, BMDO would also proceed with research, development, 
and testing activities similar to the Preferred Action but at a more 
intense level of effort. This alternative would allow for the 
acquisition of an All Ground-Based NMD system to proceed to the 
development of a system capability.
     Ground-and Space-Based Sensors and Ground-Based 
Interceptors System Acquisition Alternative. Under this alternative, 
BMDO would proceed with research, development, and testing activities 
similar to the Proposed Action but at a more intense level of effort. 
This alternative would allow for the acquisition of a Ground-and Space-
Based NMD system (without Space-Based Interceptors) to proceed to the 
development of a system capability.
    A Record of Decision on the BMD PEIS' alternatives will be made 
available no earlier than 30 days after this Notice of Availability (of 
the FPEIS) is published in the Federal Register.

lead agency: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.

cooperating agencies: Department of Energy, National Aeronautical and 
Space Administration, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy.

for further information contact: Major Thomas LaRock, OATSD/PA, 
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-7100, (703) 697-5131.

    Dated: November 21, 1994.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 94-29145 Filed 11-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M