[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 75 (Tuesday, April 21, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18274-18275]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-9142]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability 
and Request for Comment on the Environmental Assessment (EA) for the 
Jacksonville Aviation Authority (JAA) Launch Site Operator License at 
Cecil Field, Florida (FL)

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation.

ACTION:  Notice of availability, notice of public meeting, and request 
for comment.

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[[Page 18275]]

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended ((NEPA) 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), Council on 
Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-
1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the 
availability of and requesting comments on the EA for the Jacksonville 
Aviation Authority (JAA) Launch Site Operator License at Cecil Field, 
FL.
    The EA was prepared in response to an application for a Launch Site 
Operator License from the JAA. Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would 
issue a Launch Site Operator License to JAA to operate a facility for 
horizontal launches and landings of suborbital manned reusable launch 
vehicles (RLVs). These vehicles, when operated out of Cecil Field, 
could carry space flight participants, scientific experiments, or 
payloads. The proposed launch site is located within the city limits of 
the City of Jacksonville, FL in Duval County, approximately 15 miles 
southwest of downtown Jacksonville. The EA addresses the potential 
environmental impacts of issuing a Launch Site Operator License for the 
Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative.
    The FAA has posted the EA on the FAA/AST Web site at http://ast.faa.gov. In addition, CDs of the EA were sent to persons and 
agencies on the distribution list (found in Chapter 7 of the EA). A 
paper copy and a CD version of the EA may be reviewed for comment 
during regular business hours at the following locations:

Jacksonville Public Library--Argyle Branch, 7973 Old Middleburg Road 
South, Jacksonville, FL 32222.
Jacksonville Public Library--Webb Wesconnett Regional, 6887 103rd 
Street, Jacksonville, FL 32210.
Jacksonville Public Library--West Regional, 1425 Chaffee Road South, 
Jacksonville, FL 32221.
Jacksonville Public Library--Main Branch, 303 N Laura St., 
Jacksonville, FL 32202.
Green Cove Springs Library, 403 Ferris St., Green Cove Springs, FL 
32043.

DATES: The public comment period for the Draft EA begins with the 
publication of this NOA. To ensure that all comments can be addressed 
in the Final EA, comments on the draft must be received by the FAA no 
later than May 20, 2009.
    The FAA is holding a public hearing on the Draft EA. The public 
hearing will be held on May 14, 2009 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Cecil 
Commerce Center, 13561 Lake Newman St., Jacksonville, FL. Meeting 
registration and a general poster session will occur from 6 to 6:30 
p.m. The FAA will present information about the Draft EA and licensing 
process at 6:30 p.m. followed by a public comment period in which 
members of the public will be provided the opportunity to provide both 
written and oral comments on the Draft EA. A court reporter will 
transcribe the oral comments.

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the EA should be mailed to FAA Cecil 
Field EA, c/o ICF International, 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA, 22031. 
Comments can also be sent by e-mail to [email protected] or fax to 
(703) 934-3951.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue 
a Launch Site Operator License to JAA that would allow them to operate 
Cecil Field for horizontal suborbital RLV launches. JAA has identified 
two types of horizontally launched RLVs, Concept X and Concept Z, which 
are considered typical vehicles that would be launched from Cecil 
Field. The RLVs would launch and land on Runway 18L-36R, the primary 
north-south runway at Cecil Field. Both proposed RLVs would take-off 
from Cecil Field under jet power. Rocket operations would occur in a 
designated offshore area, approximately 60 miles east of the Florida 
coast. The RLVs would return to Cecil Field as maneuverable gliders.
    JAA proposes to use Cecil Field's existing infrastructure, such as 
hangars, control tower, and runways for commercial space launch 
operations. Therefore, JAA does not anticipate new construction 
activities at Cecil Field related to the proposed spaceport.
    The activities analyzed under the Proposed Action that would 
support, either directly or indirectly, licensed launches include:
     Transporting the vehicle, vehicle components, and 
propellants to Cecil Field via road, rail, air, or a combination of 
these methods.
     Assembling the various vehicle components.
     Conducting checkout activities.
     Loading the propellants into the launch vehicle.
     Loading the pilot, passengers, and other payload.
     Towing or moving the launch vehicle to the proper launch 
or takeoff location.
     Departing Cecil Field as an aircraft.
     Igniting the rocket engines once the vehicle has reached a 
designated area over the Atlantic Ocean.
     Collecting any debris from the runway prior to vehicle 
landing.
     Recovering and transporting the launch vehicle from the 
runway after landing.
    The only alternative to the Proposed Action analyzed in the EA is 
the No Action Alternative. Under this alternative, the FAA would not 
issue a Launch Site Operator License to JAA, and there would be no 
commercial space launches from Cecil Field. The site would continue to 
be available for existing general aviation and training-related 
activities.
    Resource areas were considered to provide a context for 
understanding and assessing the potential environmental effects of the 
Proposed Action, with attention focused on key issues. The resource 
areas considered included climate and air quality; coastal resources; 
compatible land use; Department of Transportation Act: Section 4(f) 
resources; farmlands; fish, wildlife, and plants; floodplains; 
hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and solid waste; historical, 
architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; light emissions 
and visual resources; natural resources, energy supply, and sustainable 
design; noise; socioeconomics; water quality; wetlands; wild and scenic 
rivers; children's environmental health and safety risks; environmental 
justice; construction impacts; secondary (induced) impacts; airports/
airport users; airspace; transportation; and cumulative impacts.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacey M. Zee (AST-100), Office of 
Commercial Space Transportation, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 
331, Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-9305; E-mail 
[email protected].

    Issued in Washington, DC on: April 15, 2009.
Michael McElligott,
Manager, Space Systems Development Division.
[FR Doc. E9-9142 Filed 4-20-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-13-P