[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 115 (Monday, June 16, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 35635]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-15034]



[[Page 35635]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Preparation of a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for the Airborne Laser program

AGENCY: Missile Defense Agency, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) announces the availability of 
a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (FSEIS) for the 
Airborne Laser (ABL) Program. This FSEIS supplements the Final 
Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the Program Definition and 
Risk Reduction Phase of the ABL test program, completed in April 1997. 
The FSEIS analyzes proposed ABL Program test activities at test ranges 
associated with Kirtland Air Force Base (AFB) and White Sands Missile 
Range (WSMR)/Holloman AFB, New Mexico; and Edwards AFB (EAFB) and 
Vandenberg AFB (VAFB), California. The FSEIS has been prepared in 
accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), as 
amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), and the Council on Environmental 
Quality Regulations for implementing the procedural provisions of NEPA 
(40 CFR Parts 1500-1508). The ABL is a laser weapon system installed on 
a Boeing 747-400F aircraft capable of operating for extended periods of 
time. Up to two such aircraft would be developed for testing purposes.

DATES: Comments must be received by July 16, 2003.

ADDRESSES: to obtain a copy of the FSEIS please write to: Mr. Charles 
J. Brown, Environmental Coordinator, Project Execution Division, 
Headquarters, Air Force Center for Environmental Excellence, 3207 
Sidney Brooks Road, Building 532, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5363 or a copy 
of it can also be accessed at http://www.afcee.brooks.af.mil/ec/eiap/eis/abl/ABL_F-SEIS_Apr_03.pdf.
    Individuals or organizations may provide comments on the FSEIS by 
sending written comments to: Ms. Pamelia Bain, Director, Legislative 
Affairs, Missile Defense Agency, 7100 Defense Pentagon, Washington, DC 
20301-7100.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Crate J. Spears, (703) 697-4123.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The ABL weapon system would include four 
lasers:
    [sbull] Active Ranging System (ARS) Laser: a small carbon dioxide 
laser used to begin tracking a target,
    [sbull] Track Illuminator Laser (TILL): a solid state laser used to 
provide detailed tracking of a target,
    [sbull] Beacon Illuminator Laser (BILL): a solid state laser used 
to measure atmospheric distortion, and
    [sbull] High-Energy Laser (HEL): the Chemical Oxygen-Iodine Laser 
(COIL) used to destroy a target.
    An additional laser, a surrogate for the High-Energy Laser (SHEL), 
would be used during testing in place of the HEL. The SHEL is a low-
power solid-state laser that would be used in both ground- and flight-
testing. The ABL also would include Infrared Search and Track (IRST) 
sensors, passive infrared devices used to identify a heat source.
    The 1997 ABL FEIS analyzed use of a COIL HEL on an aircraft to 
destroy ballistic missiles in the boost phase. The Record of Decision 
(ROD) for the FEIS documented the Air Force's decision to proceed with 
ABL home base activities at EAFB, diagnostic test activities over WSMR, 
and expanded area test activities at VAFB and the adjacent Point Mugu 
Naval Air Warfare Center, California. Since completion of the FEIS, 
specific proposed test activities have been identified and additional 
information made available about the proposed testing that warranted 
preparation of a Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (SEIS).

    Dated: June 6, 2003.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 03-15034 Filed 6-13-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-08-M