Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the Theater Missile Defense Extended Test Range

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

Notice of Availability of a Draft Environmental Impact Statement

for the Theater Missile Defense Extended Test Range

AGENCY: Department of the Army, Department of Defense.

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the

Theater Missile Defense (TMD) Extended Test Range proposal is now

available for review and comment. The DEIS has assessed potential

impacts associated with conducting extended range missile and sensor

tests at four alternative test range areas. The TMD program would allow

for the development of a means to protect deployed U.S. forces, as well

as U.S. friends and allies around the world, against attacks by short-

and medium-range ballistic, cruise, or air-to-surface missiles armed

with conventional, nuclear, biological, or chemical warheads.

These tests would consist of multiple demonstration and

developmental missile launches along proposed flight paths from off-

range locations, with intercepts of targets over existing range areas

or open sea areas located within and outside of the United States.

Surface-to-surface missile tests are also proposed. These flights are

needed to validate system design and operational effectiveness.

The DEIS addresses, to the extent possible, the potential

environmental impacts that would result from test site modifications,

launch preparation requirements, missile flights along the proposed

flight paths, and intercepts of targets over existing ranges or open

sea areas. 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, socioeconomics, hazardous materials and waste, health and

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

cultural resources.

Lead agency: U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command

Cooperating agencies: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization, United

States Air Force, United States Navy, Bureau of Land Management,

Federal Aviation Administration.

Proposed action: The proposed action is to conduct extended range

tests of target missiles, defensive missiles, and sensor systems at one

or more of four test range areas. The tests would involve target and

defensive missile launches from existing test ranges and from off-range

locations. Potential off-range launch locations may include land areas

and sea-based platforms. Missile-to-missile intercepts would occur over

existing test range areas or over open sea areas. Approximately 100

flight tests could occur during the period 1994 to 2000, from more than

one off-range location, and potentially from more than one test range

area. Alternatives for conducting these missile flight tests and

intercepts, which are evaluated in the TMD Extended Test Range DEIS,

are:

1. White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), NM. This alternative includes

missile launches and sensor testing at WSMR and Ft. Bliss, TX, with

off-range missile launches from Ft. Wingate Depot Activity, NM, and the

Green River Launch Complex, UT.

2. Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), FL. This alternative includes

missile launches and sensor testing at Eglin AFB on Santa Rosa Island

and at Cape San Blas, with off-range missile launches from a sea-based

platform in the Gulf of Mexico.

3. The Western Range, CA. This alternative includes missile

launches and sensor testing at Vandenberg AFB, San Nicolas Island, and

San Clemente Island, with off-range missile launches from a sea-based

platform in the Pacific Ocean.

4. Kwajalein Missile Range (KMR), U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll,

Republic of the Marshall Islands. This alternative includes missile

launches and sensor testing at KMR and Wake Island with off-range

missile launches from a sea-based platform in the Pacific Ocean.

DATES: The Army will conduct public hearings concerning the Draft EIS

in the following communities. Public comments are invited through 28

March, 1994.

February 22, 1994--Gallup, New Mexico, Oxnard, California

February 23, 1994--Crownpoint, New Mexico, Lompoc, California

March 1, 1994--Shiprock, New Mexico, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida

March 2, 1994--Moab, Utah, Port St. Joe, Florida

ADDRESSEE: 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

28 March 1994. To record requests for further information, call toll

free 1-800-603-3030.

Dated: January 28, 1994.

Lewis D. Walker,

Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army, (Environmental, Safety and

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

[FR Doc. 94-2506 Filed 2-3-94; 8:45 am]

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