[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29104-29105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09609]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System on Guam

AGENCY: Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Department of Defense (DoD).

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The MDA is issuing this notice of intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential 
environmental impacts associated with an Enhanced Integrated Air and 
Missile Defense (EIAMD) system for the defense of Guam. The EIS will be 
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act 
(NEPA) of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for 
Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA; MDA's NEPA Implementing 
Procedures; U.S. Department of the Army's (Army) NEPA Implementing 
Procedures; U.S. Department of the Navy's (DoN) Environmental Readiness 
Program; U.S. Department of the Air Force's (DAF) Environmental Impact 
Analysis Process; and Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) NEPA 
Policies and Procedures. The EIS will evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts from the proposed deployment and operation of 
missile defense radars and sensors, missile interceptor launchers, and 
command and control systems; construction and operation of associated 
support facilities and infrastructure; and management of associated 
airspace (hereafter called ``Proposed Action''). The MDA is initiating 
a public scoping period to receive comments on the scope of the EIS 
including identification of potential alternatives, information, and 
analyses relevant to the Proposed Action, and the Proposed Action's 
potential to affect historic properties pursuant to section 106 of the 
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966.

DATES: The MDA invites comments during the public scoping period 
beginning with publication of this notice in the Federal Register. 
Comments must be postmarked or

[[Page 29105]]

received on or before June 27, 2023 to ensure consideration in the 
Draft EIS.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent via email to EIS.com">info@EIAMD-EIS.com; via the website comment submission form on www.EIAMD-EIS.com; 
or by United States (U.S.) Postal Service to: ManTech International 
Corporation, Attention: EIAMD EIS Project Support, PMB 403, 1270 N 
Marine Corps Drive, Suite 101, Tamuning, Guam 96913-4331. Comments will 
also be accepted at the public scoping meetings. All comments, 
including names and addresses, will be included in the administrative 
record, but personal information will be kept confidential unless 
release is required by law.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark Wright, MDA Public Affairs, 
at 571-231-8212 or by email to mda.info@mda.mil">mda.info@mda.mil. Additional information 
on the Proposed Action can be found at the MDA website: https://www.mda.mil/system/eiamd.html.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Within the context of homeland defense, Guam 
is a key strategic location for sustaining and maintaining U.S. 
influence, deterring adversaries, responding to crises, and maintaining 
a free and open Indo-Pacific. An attack on Guam would be considered a 
direct attack on the United States and would be met with an appropriate 
response. Current U.S. forces are capable of defending Guam against 
regional ballistic missile threats. However, regional missile threats 
to Guam continue to increase and advance technologically. The U.S. 
Indo-Pacific Command has identified a requirement for a 360-degree 
EIAMD capability on Guam as soon as possible to address the rapid 
evolution of adversary missile threats. The purpose of the EIAMD is to 
support the defense of Guam from cruise, ballistic and hypersonic 
missile threats. The EIAMD is necessary to meet requirements as 
directed in the fiscal year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023 National Defense 
Authorization Acts and to protect Guam as described in this notice.
    The MDA, in coordination with Army, DoN, DAF, and FAA as 
cooperating agencies, is preparing an EIS to evaluate the potential 
environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action and a No 
Action alternative.
    The Proposed Action includes the deployment and operation of a 
combination of components from the MDA, Army, and DoN that would be 
integrated for air and missile defense. These proposed components 
include missile defense radars and sensors, missile interceptor 
launchers, and command and control systems. The MDA and Army need to 
strategically locate and integrate the system components at multiple 
sites around Guam. In the event where DoD property is not available to 
strategically locate the components on DoD properties or where buffer 
and safety zone arcs encroach on non-Federal properties, acquisition of 
appropriate real estate interests on non-Federal property may be needed 
in a few areas. Site selection is evolving and additional sites may be 
considered. Additionally, MDA anticipates airspace modification may be 
necessary at sites where radars would be located. Airspace issues would 
be coordinated with the FAA.
    Associated support facilities and infrastructure (e.g., power 
plants, fuel storage facilities, and water storage facilities), and 
life support facilities (e.g., family housing, fire stations, and 
dining facilities) would also be constructed and operated on these 
sites to support proposed EIAMD components and accommodate personnel 
associated with the proposed EIAMD system.
    The MDA and Army have conducted extensive siting studies to confirm 
alternative site selection, optimize system performance, and optimize 
facility planning and design. The proposed EIAMD components, support 
facilities and infrastructure, and life support facilities would be 
distributed across the candidate sites.
    The environmental issues and resource areas the MDA would assess in 
the EIS include, but are not limited to, the following: airspace, air 
quality, biological resources, cultural resources, environmental 
justice and protection of children, geological resources, public health 
and safety, infrastructure and utilities, land use, noise and 
vibration, socioeconomics, transportation, recreation, visual 
resources, and water resources. The analysis will include an evaluation 
of direct and indirect impacts, and will account for cumulative impacts 
from other relevant activities in the area of Guam.
    This public scoping effort also supports compliance with section 
106 of the NHPA and its implementing regulations at 36 CFR part 800. As 
such, the MDA will consult with government officials and other 
interested parties regarding historic and cultural resources under 
section 106 of the NHPA, as appropriate. Additionally, the MDA will 
undertake any other consultations and permitting required by applicable 
laws or regulations.
    The MDA will conduct three in-person open house scoping meetings on 
Guam in June 2023. Notification of the meeting locations, dates, and 
times will be published and announced in local news media to encourage 
public participation. Access to meeting information can also be found 
on the MDA website at https://www.mda.mil/system/eiamd.html.
    The MDA encourages elected officials, government agencies, non-
governmental organizations, and interested individuals to participate 
in the public scoping process for the preparation of this EIS. The 
public scoping process assists in determining the scope of the EIS 
including identification of potential alternatives, information, and 
analyses relevant to the Proposed Action, and the Proposed Action's 
potential to affect historic properties.
    Additional opportunities for public comment will occur after the 
release of the Draft EIS. The MDA intends to publish the Draft EIS in 
spring 2024, publish the Final EIS in early 2025, and sign a Record of 
Decision following the 30-day Final EIS review period.

    Dated: May 2, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-09609 Filed 5-4-23; 8:45 am]
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