[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 81176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25722]



[[Page 81176]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Notice of Availability for the Written Re-Evaluation of the Final 
Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super 
Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in 
Cameron County, Texas Regarding Deluge System Operation, Addition of a 
Forward Heat Shield Interstage, and Expansion of the Area of Potential 
Effects for Cultural Resources

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

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended, Council on Environmental Quality NEPA-implementing 
regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Written Re-
Evaluation for the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the 
SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program regarding operation 
of a deluge system, addition of a forward heat shield interstage to the 
vehicle, and expansion of the Area of Potential Effects for cultural 
resources at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, 
Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hanson, FAA Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW, 
Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591; phone 847-243-7609; email 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Written Re-Evaluation evaluated whether 
supplemental environmental analysis was needed to support the FAA 
Office of Commercial Space Transportation decision to issue a 
modification to the vehicle operator license to SpaceX for the 
operation of the Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle at its existing 
Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. The affected 
environment and environmental impacts of Starship/Super Heavy 
operations and the construction of launch-related infrastructure at the 
Boca Chica Launch Site were analyzed in the 2022 Final Programmatic 
Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch 
Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, 
Texas (2022 PEA). The FAA issued a Mitigated Finding of No Significant 
Impact and Record of Decision based on the 2022 PEA on June 13, 2022.
    SpaceX recently provided the FAA with additional information 
regarding operation of the deluge system, addition of a forward heat 
shield interstage to the vehicle, and expansion of the Area of 
Potential Effects for cultural resources.
    Based on the analysis within the Written Re-Evaluation of the 
additional information, the FAA concluded that the issuance of a 
modification to the vehicle operator license for Starship/Super Heavy 
operations conforms to the prior environmental documentation, that the 
data contained in the 2022 PEA remains substantially valid, that there 
are no significant environmental changes, and all pertinent conditions 
and requirements of the prior approval have been met or will be met in 
the current action.
    Therefore, preparation of a supplemental or new environmental 
document is not necessary to support the Proposed Action.
    The Written Re-Evaluation is available at: www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship.

    Issued in Washington, DC on: November 16, 2023.
Stacey Molinich Zee,
Manager, Operations Support Branch, Office of Commercial Space 
Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2023-25722 Filed 11-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P