[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 39 (Thursday, February 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 11444]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-04039]



[[Page 11444]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation: Notice of Availability 
and Request for Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for 
SpaceX Falcon Launches at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air 
Force Station

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration, DOT.

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comment.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA 
implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: 
Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of and 
requesting comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment for SpaceX 
Falcon Launches at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force 
Station (Draft EA).

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 20, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Comments should be mailed to Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, 
Environmental Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, 
800 Independence Avenue SW, Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591. Comments 
may also be submitted by email to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, Environmental 
Protection Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW, Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591; phone (202) 
267-5924; email [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SpaceX is applying to the FAA for launch 
licenses to launch the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space 
Center's (KSC) Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) and Cape Canaveral Air Force 
Station's (CCAFS) Launch Complex 40 (LC-40). SpaceX is also applying to 
the FAA for reentry licenses for Dragon reentry operations. The FAA's 
proposal to issue licenses to SpaceX is considered a major federal 
action subject to environmental review under NEPA. Due to SpaceX's 
ability to launch more frequently at KSC and CCAFS, SpaceX's launch 
manifest includes more annual Falcon launches and Dragon reentries than 
were considered in previous NEPA analyses. Also, SpaceX is proposing to 
add a new Falcon 9 southern launch trajectory from Florida for payloads 
requiring polar orbits. SpaceX is also proposing to construct a mobile 
service tower (MST) at LC-39A to support commercial launches and the 
U.S. Air Force's National Security Space Launch program. NASA is 
responsible for approving the construction of the MST at LC-39A. The 
FAA has no federal action related to the construction of the MST.
    Alternatives under consideration include the Proposed Action and 
the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA 
would not modify existing SpaceX licenses or issue new licenses to 
SpaceX for Falcon launches or Dragon reentry operations at KSC and 
CCAFS. SpaceX would continue Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch 
operations at KSC and CCAFS, as well as Dragon reentry operations, as 
analyzed in previous NEPA and environmental reviews and in accordance 
with existing FAA licenses until the licenses expire.
    The Draft EA evaluates the potential environmental impacts from the 
Proposed Action and No Action Alternative on air quality; biological 
resources; climate; coastal resources; Department of Transportation Act 
Section 4(f); farmlands; hazardous materials, solid waste, and 
pollution prevention; historical, architectural, archeological, and 
cultural resources; land use; natural resources and energy supply; 
noise and noise-compatible land use; socioeconomics, environmental 
justice, and children's environmental health and safety risks; visual 
effects (including light emissions); and water resources.
    The FAA has posted the Draft EA on the FAA Office of Commercial 
Space Transportation website: https://www.faa.gov/space/environmental/nepa_docs/.
    The FAA encourages all interested parties to provide comments 
concerning the scope and content of the Draft EA. Before including your 
address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying 
information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment--
including your personal identifying information--may be made publicly 
available at any time. While you can ask the FAA in your comment to 
withhold from public review your personal identifying information, the 
FAA cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.

    Issued in Washington, DC on: February 21, 2020.
Daniel Murray,
Manager, Space Transportation Development Division.
[FR Doc. 2020-04039 Filed 2-26-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P