Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Projects and Activities Associated With Future Programs at White Sands Missile Range (WSMR)

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of Army

Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for

Projects and Activities Associated With Future Programs at White Sands

Missile Range (WSMR)

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice of availability is for the White Sands Missile

Range Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). The DEIS addresses

the potential impacts of several categories of future test projects

being planned at WSMR. The future testing categories include: missile

testing (i.e. Multiple Launch Rocket System, Special Launch Vehicle,

and Standard Missile), high altitude testing (i.e. High Altitude

Balloon Experiment and Research Rockets), environmental testing (Large

Blasts, Temperature Testing), high energy (Lasers, RADARS).

In the past, WSMR incorporated the National Environmental Policy

Act (NEPA) requirements into project planning on a case-by-case basis.

To better evaluate the cumulative effects of unrelated actions being

planned at the same time the DEIS incorporates all known and future

programs. The analysis addresses potential impacts and cumulative

effects. Mitigation of these effects is incorporated into the proposed

action. The lead agency is U.S. Army (White Sands Missile Range). The

U.S. Air Force, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, Defense Nuclear

Agency, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration are

cooperating agencies.

The proposed action includes a combination of three different

functions: (1) Continuation of current project activities and existing

operations and services, including routine maintenance; (2)

modernization or removal of outdated facilities and improvements in

infrastructure, utilities, and services as necessary; (3) acceptance of

new test programs that are projected, and resulting changes in site

usage and services. The program changes may include expansions or

reductions in the scope of existing activities, with consequent

requirements for either increases or decreases in utilities and

service.

The no action alternative is the other alternative considered. This

alternative represents the status quo and presumes that current

operations would continue at approximately their current rates into the

future. This alternative means no new projects would be conducted at

WSMR. All existing actions which are currently the subject of

environmental documentation including associated mitigation measures

and mitigative planning strategies, would be implemented under the no

action alternative.

The alternative of closing WSMR is briefly discussed and put aside

as out of scope. No Congressional or DoD indications have been given

that this action is contemplated, and special NEPA processes to address

the shutdown and conversion of military bases have been established for

such analyses.

DATES: This notice announces the beginning of the public hearing period

and comment process. Comments should be received on or before September

2, 1994 following the public hearings. Public hearings will be held

within the next six weeks in Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Socorro, and

Albuquerque, New Mexico. Exact dates and locations will be advertised

in the local media.

ADDRESSES: Anyone wishing to receive a copy of this DEIS may send a

postcard with their name and address to Advanced Sciences Inc., 555

Telshor, Suite 310, Attn: Tim Cohen, Las Cruces, NM 88001. Persons and

organizations wishing to comment on the EIS may attend the public

meetings or may send written comments to Commander, White Sands Missile

Range, Attn: STEWS-DES/Robert Andreoli, White Sands Missile Range, NM

88002-5048.

Dated: August 8, 1994.

Raymond J. Fatz,

Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Environment, Safety and

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

[FR Doc. 94-20248 Filed 8-17-94; 8:45 am]

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