Availability of a Supplement to the Theater Missile Defense Extended Test Range Draft Environmental Impact Statement

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Availability of a Supplement to the Theater Missile Defense

Extended Test Range Draft Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Department of the Army, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement

(DEIS) for the Theater Missile Defense (TMD) Extended Test Range

proposal is now available for review and comment. The Supplement to the

DEIS was prepared to supplement the information provided in the TMD

Extended Test Range DEIS and identifies and assesses potential

environmental impacts of additional booster drop zones associated with

the White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) extended test range alternative.

Only the proposed additional booster drop zones for the WSMR extended

test range alternative are discussed in the Supplement. Assessment and

discussions pertaining to the overall TMD Extended Test Range proposal

are contained in the DEIS published in January 1994. The four extended

test range alternatives addressed in the DEIS are Eglin AFB, Florida,

(including Cape San Blas), Western Range California (including

Vandenberg AFB, Point Mugu, and San Clemente Island), and U.S. Army

Kwajalein Atoll and Wake Island in the mid-Pacific.

The TMB Extended Test Range DEIS identified potentially significant

environmental impacts associated with the original booster drop zones

identified for the proposed Fort Wingate Depot Activity (FWDA), New

Mexico, and Green River Launch Complex (GRLC), Utah, sites. Through

consultation with appropriate government agencies, meetings with

environmental groups, contacts with local land owners, and selection of

a booster having different technical requirements, the U.S. Army has

identified additional booster drop zones that may reduce environmental

impacts resulting from booster drops. In keeping with the spirit and

purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Army

determined that a Supplement to the DEIS is appropriate to address

these additional booster drop zone because of the significant new

circumstances relevant to the proposed action. At this time, use of

these additional drop zones is preferred over the use of the original

drop zones addressed in the prior DEIS. However, a decision will not be

made until at least 30 days after distribution of the Final

Environmental Impact Statement.

The Supplement to the DEIS addresses the potential environmental

impacts that would result from the use of these additional booster drop

zones identified for the GRLC and FWDA located in the WSMR extended

test range alternative. It also identifies any mitigation measures that

could avoid or lessen those impacts. Environmental resource topics

evaluated include: air quality, airspace, noise, geology and soils,

water resources, socioeconomic, hazardous materials and waste, health

and safety, land use, infrastructure and transportation, and biological

and cultural resources.

The lead agency is the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense

Command. Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, United States Air

Force, United States Navy, and Federal Aviation Administration are

cooperating agencies.

Subsequent to the publication of the TMD Extended Test Range DEIS,

additional booster drop zones were identified for the WSMR extended

test range alternative. This Supplement to the DEIS supplements the

information provided in the TMD Extended Test Range DEIS and describes

and analyzes the potential impacts of utilizing these additional target

vehicle booster drop zones located along the target missile flight

paths between the GRLC and FWDA launch points and the WSMR.

The proposed action associated with the overall TMD program is to

conduct multiple missile test and operational flights and supporting

activities along extended-range flight paths with missile intercepts

occurring over existing test ranges or open sea areas. The proposed

action includes test site modifications and launch preparations

required in order to conduct test and operational flights.

Approximately 100 flight test events would be conducted from one or

more off-range locations and potentially at more than one extended test

range. The four ranges under consideration are WSMR, New Mexico; Eglin

AFB, Florida (including Cape San Blas); Western Range California

(including Vandenberg AFB, Point Mugu, and San Clemente Island); and

U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll and Wake Island in the mid-Pacific. For the

purpose of environmental analysis, four tests per month from each

extended test range alternative are assumed. Tests would begin in 1995

and continue through 2000.

DATES: The Army will conduct public hearings concerning the Supplement

to the DEIS in the following communities. Public comments are invited

through September 28, 1994.

August 23, 1994--Magdalena, New Mexico, Monticello, Utah

August 24, 1994--Grants, New Mexico, Salt Lake City, Utah

ADDRESSES: Written comments may be forwarded to: Mr. David Hasley, U.S.

Army Space and Strategic Defense Command, ATTN: CSSD-EN-V, P.O. Box

1500, Huntsville, AL 35807-3801. Written comments should be received by

September 28, 1994. To record requests for further information call

toll free 1-800-603-3030.

Dated: August 5, 1994.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environmental, Safety

and Occupational Health) OASA (I, L&E)

[FR Doc. 94-19528 Filed 8-9-94; 8:45 am]

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