[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 192 (Thursday, October 3, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 62003-62005]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-25109]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Magdalena Ridge Observatory, Cibola National Forest, Socorro 
County, NM

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; intent to prepare an environmental impact statement.

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SUMMARY: The Forest Service will prepare an environmental impact 
statement on a proposal to issue an amended Special Use Permit to the 
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT). The proposed 
amendment, referred to as the Magdalena Ridge Observatory project 
(MRO), would allow NMT to construct and operate a new observatory and 
its associated facilities within the existing 1,000 acre Principle 
Research Area of the Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research site 
located on Magdalena Ridge on the Magdalena Ranger District of the 
Cibola National Forest. The observatory and its associated facilities 
would consist of

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two main parts: (1) the scientific equipment consisting of an 
interferometer telescope array of 16 telescopes at full build out, its 
associated infrastructure including about 85,000 square feet of parking 
areas and roadways, and a single 2.5 meter stand-alone telescope; (2) 
educational and research support facilities that would cover about 
52,000 square feet. Construction would take place over four to five 
years, and include a new utility corridor to supply additional power 
and water to the ridge top site.

DATES: Comments concerning the scope of the analysis should be received 
in writing by November 29, 2002. The draft environmental impact 
statement is expected in March 2003, for a 45 day comment period and 
the final environmental impact statement is expected at the end of 
September, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Send written comments to: SAIC, Att: Susan Goodan, 2109 Air 
Park Road, SE Albuquerque, NM, 87106 or send your comments 
electronically to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Laura Hudnell, Forest Service MOR 
Liaison, P.O. Box 45, Magdalena, NM 87825, 505.854.2281. Send e-mail 
correspondences to [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The proposed site for the New Magdalena 
Ridge Observatory (MRO) facilities is within Langmuir Research Site, a 
31,000-acre area set aside by Congress in 1980, under Public Law 96-
550, for the purpose of encouraging scientific research into 
atmospheric processes and astronomical phenomena. New Mexico Institute 
of Mining and Technology (NMT) is part of a consortium of universities 
along with the U.S. Navy, Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) that would 
develop this facility. The observatory would feature both a 
conventional telescope and an interferometer array of telescopes that 
function together to provide more resolution than that which is 
available from a single telescope. This innovative technology has been 
pioneered by NRL at the Navy Prototype Optical Inteferometer (NPOI) 
near Flagstaff, Arizona. Experience from developing NPOI would be 
applied to this proposed facility with further refinements that would 
improve capabilities for high-resolution observations. The 
observatory's primary purpose would be for education and optical and 
astronomical research by NMT and the consortium members. A secondary 
purpose would be to support passive observing techniques for 
identifying satellites and to track missiles during tests at White 
Sands Missile Range.
    The primary purpose of the MRO would be education and research by 
NMT and other consortium members. The facility would provide access to 
state-of-the-art telescopes, cameras, spectrometers, and associated 
equipment. There is an acute need for high-tech education in New 
Mexico, where the economy is closely tied to science and engineering. 
The MRO would serve the academic research community by providing 
telescopes for research and development of research techniques. This is 
important and timely, and the need is great due to the ongoing closing 
of several research telescopes at other observatories, which has 
handicapped the research community. The observatory would also provide 
public outreach, programs for K-12 students, courses for K-12 teachers, 
research experiences for undergraduates, and support of research by 
graduate students.
    A secondary purpose would be to support the defense community. 
Using the interferometer array, passive observing techniques for 
identifying satellites could be developed. This would serve a national 
need to know how well satellites are performing and to improve their 
performance if they malfunction. A stand-alone, single telescope would 
be able to track missiles during tests sat the White Sands Missile 
Range. Also, this telescope could be used as a test bed for new 
instruments and sensors and could be used to develop new surveillance 
technologies.

Proposed Action

    To amend the existing Special Use Permit to the New Mexico 
Institute of Mining and Technology (NMT) to allow NMT to construct and 
operate a new observatory, called the Magdalena Ridge Observatory, on 
the ridge of the Magdalena Mountains. The new facilities would be 
situated on the ridge of the Magdalena Mountains between the main 
Langmuir Laboratory Principle Research Area and South Baldy Peak. 
Physical development would have two main parts: (1) the scientific 
equipment consisting of an interferometer array and associated 
infrastructure, and a single stand-alone telescope; and, (2) 
educational and research support facilities. An area of about 80 acres 
would be delineated as the primary science area where only the 
interferometer array and main telescope and associated support 
facilities would be located. The educational and supporting facilities 
would be located outside this area to reduce wind turbulence that can 
interfere with viewing objects in space. Fencing would be erected 
around some facilities, including the array, to prevent damage to the 
scientific equipment, for example, by livestock or recreationists. 
About 52,000 square feet (SF) of new enclosed facilities would be 
constructed, and about 85,000 SF of compacted gravel parking areas and 
roadway. A trench for new utilities lines (about one mile in length and 
five feet wide) would be dug. Excavations for building foundations and 
pits for water storage tanks and septic fields may involve blasting. 
Construction activities could directly disturb about six to eight acres 
and a larger area (about 10 to 12 acres) may be affected from operating 
construction equipment. Construction would take place over four to five 
years.
    There is an acute need for high-tech education in New Mexico, where 
the economy is closely tied to science and engineering. The MRO would 
serve the academic research community by providing telescopes for 
research and development of research techniques. This is important and 
timely, and the need is great due to the ongoing closing of several 
research telescopes at other observatories, which has handicapped the 
research community.
    The purpose and need of the Magdalana Ridge Observatory (MRO) are: 
(1) Education and research by NMT and other consortium members, (2) 
provide access to state-of-the-art telescopes, cameras, spectrometers, 
and associated equipment, (3) provide public outreach programs for K-12 
students, courses for K-12 teachers, research experiences for 
undergraduates, and support of research by graduate students, (4) 
support to the defense community by using the interferometer array, 
passive observing techniques for identifying satellites, (5) assist in 
the need to know how well satellites are performing and to improve 
their performance if they malfunction, (6) support of tests at the 
white Sands Missile Range and a test bed for new instruments and 
sensors that could be used to develop new surveillance technologies.
    Overall guidance for land management activities in the project area 
is provided by the Cibola National Forest Plan (U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, 1985). The proposed area is also covered by an existing 
Special Use Permit, Number 70, for the Langmuir Laboratory and the 
Operation and Maintenance Plan of May 2002 for the Langmuir Laboratory.

Possible Alternatives

    No Action Alternative--This alternative will serve as the baseline 
for the project and display the existing

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resource conditions. Under this alternative no modifications would be 
made to the Special Use Permit to the New Mexico Institute of Mining 
and Technology (NMT) nor would there be construction to operate a new 
observatory and its associated facilities.
    Full Build Out Alternative.--This would involve all sixteen 
telescopes at one time instead of seven. This would be similar to the 
proposed, with the exception of the number of telescopes being 
installed at one time.
    Optical Laser Techniques Alternative--This alternative would 
involve the use of adaptive optical techniques utilizing laser guide 
stars. A laser system of about 100 watts of power would be included 
with the scientific facilities identified in the proposed action.
    24/24 Alternative--This would involve adding two additional movable 
telescopes with mirrors of approximately 2.4 meters, linked to the 
interferometer array located south of the proposed single telescope 
site.

Lead and Cooperating Agencies

    the USDA Forest Service, Cibola National Forest will be the lead 
agency for this proposed project. The U.S. Navy, Naval Research 
Laboratory (NRL) is a cooperating agency. New Mexico Institute of 
Mining and Technology (NMT) is also a cooperating agency and part of a 
consortium of universities cooperating on this project.

Responsible Official

    Cibola National Forest Supervisor, 2113 Osuna Road NE., Suite A, 
Albuquerque, NM 87113-1001.

Nature of Decision To Be Made

    The USDA Forest Service must decide whether or not to amend the 
existing Special Use Permit that currently allows NMT to operate the 
Langmuir Laboratory for Atmospheric Research, to include the proposed 
observatory and its associated facilities.

Scoping Process

    A Public Involvement and Communication Plan (PIC) will be 
developed. It will focus on methods to inform the public on the 
proposal and to solicit public comments to help identify issues, 
concerns and opportunities associated with the Proposed Action. A 
prescoping letter will be sent out the week of October 1, 2002, with a 
two week response period to assist the forest in focusing on those 
audiences who are interested in the proposed activity. Once responses 
have been returned from the pre-scoping letter, the PIC plan will be 
implemented. No specific meeting dates and locations have been 
identified at this time. The number, location and type of public 
involvement meetings to be held will be identified after comments have 
been returned from the pre-scoping letter.

Preliminary Issues

    [sbull] Potential effects on Threatened and Endangered Species and 
habitat.
    [sbull] Potential effects on visual quality from off-site locations 
on viewscape, including from adjacent ridges that may be used and/or 
have special value for Native American tribes.
    [sbull] Potential effects of increased traffic on Water Canyon 
Road, and impact on private property inholdings and easements.
    [sbull] Potential effects on recreation (such as cross country 
skiing and hunting) from new facilities and fenced areas.
    [sbull] Potential effects on the Forest's ability to reduce fire 
risks within the Forest boundary and prevent catastrophic wildfire from 
increased human activity.
    [sbull] Potential effects of developing and using a new water 
supply in an area where water for grazing operations is already 
stressed.
    [sbull] Potential effects of slight reduction in area available for 
grazing, recreation, and other multiple uses that USFS determines to be 
incompatible with the primary use of the site for scientific purposes.

Permits or Licenses Required

    Solid Waste, Air Quality, and Water Use.

Comment Requested

    This Notice of Intent initiates the scoping process which guides 
the development of the environmental impact statement.
    Early Notice of Importance of Public Participation in Subsequent 
Environmental Review: A draft environmental impact statement will be 
prepared for comment. The comment period on the draft environmental 
impact statement will be 45 days from the date the Environmental 
Protection Agency publishes the notice of availability in the Federal 
Register.
    The Forest Service believes, at this early stage, it is important 
to give reviewers notice of several court rulings related to public 
participation in the environmental review process. First, reviewers of 
draft environmental impact statements must structure their 
participation in the environmental review of the proposal so that it is 
meaningful and alerts an agency to the reviewer's position and 
contentions. Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Corp. v. NRDC, 435 U.S. 519, 
553 (1987). Also, environmental objections that could be raised at the 
draft environmental impact statement stage but that are not raised 
could be raised at the draft environmental impact statement stage but 
that are not raised until after completion of the final environmental 
impact statement may be waived or dismissed by the courts. City of 
Angoon v. Hodel, 803 F.2d 1016, 1022 (9th Cir. 1986) and Wisconsin 
Heritages, Inc. v. Harris, 490 F. Supp. 1334, 1338 (E.D. Wis. 1980). 
Because of these court rulings, it is very important that those 
interested in this proposed action participate by the close of the 
November 29, 2002, comment period so that substantive comments and 
objections are made available to the Forest Service at a time when it 
can meaningfully consider them and respond to them in the final 
environmental impact statement.
    To assist the Forest Service in identifying and considering issues 
and concerns on the proposed action, comments on the draft 
environmental impact statement should be as specific as possible. It is 
also helpful if comments refer to specific pages or chapters of the 
draft statement. Comments may also address the adequacy of the draft 
environmental impact statement or the merits of the alternatives 
formulated and discussed in the statement. Reviewers may wish to refer 
to the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for implementing 
the procedural provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act at 
40 CFR 1503.3 in addressing these points.
    Comments received, including the names and addresses of those who 
comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposal 
and will be available for public inspection.

    Authority: 40 CFR 1501.7 and 1508.22; Forest Service Handbook 
1909.15, Section 21.

    Dated: September 27, 2002.
Liz Agpaoa,
Cibola Forest Supervisor.
[FR Doc. 02-25109 Filed 10-2-02; 8:45 am]
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