Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Oklahoma Spaceport, 5901-5902 [E6-1501]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2006 / Notices implementation of that program. If questions arise concerning the precise relationship of specific properties to noise exposure contours depicted on a noise exposure map submitted under section 47503 of the Act, it should be noted that the FAA is not involved in any way in determining the relative locations of specific properties with regard to the depicted noise contours, or in interpreting the noise exposure maps to resolve questions concerning, for example, which properties should be covered by the provisions of section 47506 of the Act. These functions are inseparable from the ultimate land use control and planning responsibilities of local government. These local responsibilities are not changed in any way under Part 150 or through FAA’s review of noise exposure maps. Therefore, the responsibility for the detailed overlaying of noise exposure contours onto the map depicting properties on the surface rests exclusively with the airport operator that submitted those maps, or with those public agencies and planning agencies with which consultation is required under section 47503 of the act. The FAA has relied on the certification by the airport operator, under section 150.21 of FAR part 150, that the statutorily required consultation has been accomplished. Copies of the full noise exposure map documentation and of the FAA’s evaluation of the maps are available for examination at the following locations: Federal Aviation Administration, 2601 Meacham Boulevard, Fort Worth, Texas; England Economic and Industrial Development District, 1611 Arnold Drive, Alexandria, Louisiana. Questions may be directed to the individual named above under the heading FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Issued in Fort Worth, Texas, January 26, 2006. Kelvin L. Solco, Manager, Airports Division. [FR Doc. 06–1033 Filed 2–2–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION hsrobinson on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES Federal Aviation Administration Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Oklahoma Spaceport Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) is the lead Federal agency for the AGENCY: VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:00 Feb 02, 2006 Jkt 208001 development of this EA. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is a cooperating agency for the development of this EA. ACTION: Notice of Availability and Request for Comment. SUMMARY: In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on the Draft EA for the Oklahoma Spaceport. On October 23, 2002, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development Authority’s (OSIDA) proposal to operate a commercial launch facility at the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA) located in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. After substantial changes to the proposed action, the FAA reconsidered the scope of the analysis required to support the proposed action and alternatives and determined that an EA would more appropriately address the environmental consequences of the proposed action and alternatives. On October 7, 2005, the FAA issued a notice in the Federal Register announcing that the proposed action would be addressed in an EA. Under the proposed action, the FAA would issue a launch site operator license to OSIDA to operate a launch facility at the CSIA and approve the land transfer of the CSIA from the city of Clinton to OSIDA. The EA evaluates potential impacts to the environment from launches and landings of three types of suborbital horizontally launched reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) 1 from the CSIA. The FAA may use the analysis in the EA as the basis for making a determination to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or a Finding of No Significant Impact regarding the issuance of a launch site operator license as well as the licensing or permitting of the launch of certain types of launch vehicles, and the transfer of ownership of the CSIA from the City of Clinton to OSIDA. The FAA is the lead Federal agency for the NEPA process and the USAF is a cooperating agency on this proposed action. The USAF is the primary user of the CSIA for aircrew training including landing and departures. In addition, the USAF’s current and as yet undefined future activities could be impacted by 1 RLVs are launch vehicles that have stages or components that can return to Earth and be recovered or reused. A suborbital rocket is a vehicle, rocket-propelled in whole or in part, intended for flight on a suborbital trajectory, and the thrust of which is greater than its lift for the majority of the rocket-powered portion of its ascent. (49 U.S.C. 70102(19)) PO 00000 Frm 00101 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 5901 the use of the CSIA as a launch site. Therefore, the FAA requested and the USAF agreed to participate as a cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA. DATES: The public comment period for the NEPA process begins with the publication of this notice in the Federal Register. To ensure that all comments can be addressed in the Final EA, comments must be received by the FAA no later than March 13, 2006. The Draft EA is available for download at https://ast.faa.gov and at https://www.okspaceporteis.com. A hard copy of the Draft EA can also be viewed at the following locations: Clinton Public Library, Clinton, Oklahoma; Elk City Carnegie Library, Elk City, Oklahoma; Oklahoma City Public Library, Downtown Branch, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, Burns Flat, Oklahoma. A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2006 at the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, Western Technology Center located in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. For more information about this project, please visit https:// www.okspaceporteis.com. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments, statements, or questions concerning the Draft EA should be mailed to Mr. Doug Graham, FAA Environmental Specialist, FAA Oklahoma Spaceport EA, c/o ICF Consulting, 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031. Comments can also be sent by e-mail to FAAOklahomaSpaceportEA @icfconsulting.com or by fax to (703) 934–3951. Additional Information: Under the proposed action, the FAA would issue a launch site operator license to OSIDA for the operation of a launch facility at the CSIA and approve the land transfer of the CSIA. OSIDA has identified three types of launch vehicles, identified in the EA as Concept X, Y, and Z, which are typical of the vehicles that would operate from the CSIA. The proposed action includes launches and landings of all three types of Concept launch vehicles. No construction activities are proposed as part of the proposed action. Existing infrastructure including buildings, hangars, and runways would be used to support proposed launch and landing operations at the site. The potential users of the site would be responsible for obtaining any necessary permits or approvals including a launch E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1 hsrobinson on PROD1PC70 with NOTICES 5902 Federal Register / Vol. 71, No. 23 / Friday, February 3, 2006 / Notices license from the FAA for specific missions. Concept X launch vehicles would use jet-powered take off with subsequent rocket ignition, and conduct powered horizontal landing. These launch vehicles would take off from conventional runways using jet power, and then ignite rocket engines at a specified altitude. The launch vehicles would use suborbital trajectories. During descent, jet engines would be restarted at a specified altitude and the vehicle would fly to a powered, horizontal landing at the CSIA. Launch vehicles included in Concept Y would use rocket powered take off and flight, but non-powered horizontal landing. The rocket motors would be ignited while the launch vehicle is on the runway at the CSIA. These vehicles would use suborbital trajectories. The vehicle would not use powered descent but would glide to a horizontal landing at the CSIA. Concept Z launch vehicles would be carried aloft via assist aircraft with subsequent rocket ignition, and use nonpowered horizontal landing. After taking off from a horizontal runway, the launch vehicle would be released from the assist aircraft and rocket engines on the launch vehicle would be fired. The assist aircraft would make a powered horizontal landing after releasing the launch vehicle. The launch vehicle would follow a suborbital trajectory. The launch vehicle would not use powered descent but would glide to a horizontal landing at the CSIA. The FAA considered two alternatives to the proposed action in the Draft EA. The first alternative would involve the issuance of a launch site operator license to OSIDA for the CSIA that would allow only Concept X and Y vehicles to be launched from the CSIA. The second alternative would involve the issuance of a launch site operator license to OSIDA for the CSIA that would allow only Concept X and Z vehicles to be launched from the CSIA. Finally, under the no action alternative, the FAA would not issue a launch site operator license to OSIDA and there would be no commercial launches from the CSIA. In addition, the FAA would not issue launch licenses or permits to any operators for launches from the CSIA. The CSIA would continue to be available for existing aviation and training related activities. Potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives were analyzed in the Draft EA. Potential environmental impacts of successful launches include impacts to the atmosphere, airspace, biological resources, cultural resources, hazardous materials and hazardous VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:00 Feb 02, 2006 Jkt 208001 waste, health and safety, geology and soils, land use and Section 4(f) resources, noise, socioeconomics and environmental justice, transportation, visual resources, and water resources. Potential impacts of the no action alternative would be the same as those described in the affected environment in the Draft EA. Potential cumulative impacts of the proposed action also are addressed in the Draft EA. Date Issued: January 25, 2006. Place Issued: Washington, DC. Patricia Grace Smith, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. [FR Doc. E6–1501 Filed 2–2–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Fourth Meeting, RTCA Special Committee 204: 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of RTCA Special Committee 204 meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of a meeting of RTCA Special Committee 204: 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters. DATES: The meeting will be held on February 7–8, 2006, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meeting will be held at RTCA, Inc., Colson Board Room, 1828 L Street, NW., Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036–5133. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: RTCA Secretariat, 1828 L Street, NW., Suite 805, Washington, DC 20036–5133; telephone (202) 833–9339; fax (202) 833–9434; Web site https://www.rtca.org. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 5 U.S.C., Appendix 2), notice is hereby given for a Special Committee 202 meeting. The agenda will include: • February 7–8, 2006: • Open Session (Welcome, Introductory and Administrative Remarks, Review Agenda, Review Terms of Reference/Status). • Approval of Summary for the Third meeting held on 29–30 November 2005, RTCA Paper No. 250–05/ SC204–008. • EUROCAE ELT Status. • Committee Presentations, Discussion, Recommendations: • Revisions/Updates to DO–2004— ADDRESSES: PO 00000 Frm 00102 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Minimum Operational Performance Standards for 406 MHz Emergency Locator Transmitters (ELT). • Revisions/Updates to DO–183— Minimum Operational Performance Standards for Emergency Locator Transmitters—Automatic FixedELT (AF), Automatic Portable-ELT (AP), Automatic Deployable-ELT (AD), Survival-ELT (S) Operating on 121.5 and 243.0 Megahertz. • Closing Session (Other Business, Assignment/Review of Future Work, Date and Place of Next Meeting, Closing Remarks, Adjourn). Attendance is open to the interested public but limited to space availability. With the approval of the chairmen, members of the public may present oral statements at the meeting. Persons wishing to present statements or obtain information should contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. Members of the public may present a written statement to the committee at any time. Issued in Washington, DC, on January 27, 2006. Francisco Estrada C., RTCA Advisory Committee. [FR Doc. 06–1032 Filed 2–2–06; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–M DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Docket No. FAA–2006–23639] Deadline for Notification of Intent To Use the Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Sponsor, Cargo, and Nonprimary Entitlement Funds for Fiscal Year 2006 Federal Aviation Administration, DOT. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces May 1, 2006, as the deadline for each airport sponsor to notify the FAA that it will use its fiscal year 2006 entitlement funds to accomplish projects identified in the Airports Capital Improvement Plan that was formulated in the spring of 2005. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Barry Molar, Manager, Airports Financial Assistance Division, Office of Airport Planning and Programming, APP–500, on (202) 267–3831. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Section 47105(f) of Title 49, United States Code, provides that the sponsor of each airport to which funds are apportioned shall notify the Secretary by such time and in E:\FR\FM\03FEN1.SGM 03FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 23 (Friday, February 3, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5901-5902]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-1501]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability 
and Request for Comment on a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for 
the Oklahoma Spaceport

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Commercial 
Space Transportation (AST) is the lead Federal agency for the 
development of this EA. The U.S. Air Force (USAF) is a cooperating 
agency for the development of this EA.

ACTION: Notice of Availability and Request for Comment.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
regulations, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting 
comments on the Draft EA for the Oklahoma Spaceport. On October 23, 
2002, the FAA published a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Oklahoma Space Industry Development 
Authority's (OSIDA) proposal to operate a commercial launch facility at 
the Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA) located in Burns Flat, 
Oklahoma. After substantial changes to the proposed action, the FAA 
reconsidered the scope of the analysis required to support the proposed 
action and alternatives and determined that an EA would more 
appropriately address the environmental consequences of the proposed 
action and alternatives. On October 7, 2005, the FAA issued a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing that the proposed action would be 
addressed in an EA.
    Under the proposed action, the FAA would issue a launch site 
operator license to OSIDA to operate a launch facility at the CSIA and 
approve the land transfer of the CSIA from the city of Clinton to 
OSIDA. The EA evaluates potential impacts to the environment from 
launches and landings of three types of suborbital horizontally 
launched reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) \1\ from the CSIA. The FAA may 
use the analysis in the EA as the basis for making a determination to 
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement or a Finding of No 
Significant Impact regarding the issuance of a launch site operator 
license as well as the licensing or permitting of the launch of certain 
types of launch vehicles, and the transfer of ownership of the CSIA 
from the City of Clinton to OSIDA.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    \1\ RLVs are launch vehicles that have stages or components that 
can return to Earth and be recovered or reused. A suborbital rocket 
is a vehicle, rocket-propelled in whole or in part, intended for 
flight on a suborbital trajectory, and the thrust of which is 
greater than its lift for the majority of the rocket-powered portion 
of its ascent. (49 U.S.C. 70102(19))
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

    The FAA is the lead Federal agency for the NEPA process and the 
USAF is a cooperating agency on this proposed action. The USAF is the 
primary user of the CSIA for aircrew training including landing and 
departures. In addition, the USAF's current and as yet undefined future 
activities could be impacted by the use of the CSIA as a launch site. 
Therefore, the FAA requested and the USAF agreed to participate as a 
cooperating agency in the preparation of the EA.

DATES: The public comment period for the NEPA process begins with the 
publication of this notice in the Federal Register. To ensure that all 
comments can be addressed in the Final EA, comments must be received by 
the FAA no later than March 13, 2006. The Draft EA is available for 
download at https://ast.faa.gov and at https://www.okspaceporteis.com. A 
hard copy of the Draft EA can also be viewed at the following 
locations:

Clinton Public Library, Clinton, Oklahoma;
Elk City Carnegie Library, Elk City, Oklahoma;
Oklahoma City Public Library, Downtown Branch, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 
and
South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, Burns Flat, Oklahoma.

A public hearing will be held at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, March 9, 2006 at 
the South Western Oklahoma Development Authority, Western Technology 
Center located in Burns Flat, Oklahoma. For more information about this 
project, please visit https://www.okspaceporteis.com.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Comments, statements, or questions 
concerning the Draft EA should be mailed to Mr. Doug Graham, FAA 
Environmental Specialist, FAA Oklahoma Spaceport EA, c/o ICF 
Consulting, 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031. Comments can also be 
sent by e-mail to FAAOklahomaSpaceportEA @icfconsulting.com or by fax 
to (703) 934-3951.
    Additional Information: Under the proposed action, the FAA would 
issue a launch site operator license to OSIDA for the operation of a 
launch facility at the CSIA and approve the land transfer of the CSIA. 
OSIDA has identified three types of launch vehicles, identified in the 
EA as Concept X, Y, and Z, which are typical of the vehicles that would 
operate from the CSIA. The proposed action includes launches and 
landings of all three types of Concept launch vehicles. No construction 
activities are proposed as part of the proposed action. Existing 
infrastructure including buildings, hangars, and runways would be used 
to support proposed launch and landing operations at the site. The 
potential users of the site would be responsible for obtaining any 
necessary permits or approvals including a launch

[[Page 5902]]

license from the FAA for specific missions.
    Concept X launch vehicles would use jet-powered take off with 
subsequent rocket ignition, and conduct powered horizontal landing. 
These launch vehicles would take off from conventional runways using 
jet power, and then ignite rocket engines at a specified altitude. The 
launch vehicles would use suborbital trajectories. During descent, jet 
engines would be restarted at a specified altitude and the vehicle 
would fly to a powered, horizontal landing at the CSIA.
    Launch vehicles included in Concept Y would use rocket powered take 
off and flight, but non-powered horizontal landing. The rocket motors 
would be ignited while the launch vehicle is on the runway at the CSIA. 
These vehicles would use suborbital trajectories. The vehicle would not 
use powered descent but would glide to a horizontal landing at the 
CSIA.
    Concept Z launch vehicles would be carried aloft via assist 
aircraft with subsequent rocket ignition, and use non-powered 
horizontal landing. After taking off from a horizontal runway, the 
launch vehicle would be released from the assist aircraft and rocket 
engines on the launch vehicle would be fired. The assist aircraft would 
make a powered horizontal landing after releasing the launch vehicle. 
The launch vehicle would follow a suborbital trajectory. The launch 
vehicle would not use powered descent but would glide to a horizontal 
landing at the CSIA.
    The FAA considered two alternatives to the proposed action in the 
Draft EA. The first alternative would involve the issuance of a launch 
site operator license to OSIDA for the CSIA that would allow only 
Concept X and Y vehicles to be launched from the CSIA. The second 
alternative would involve the issuance of a launch site operator 
license to OSIDA for the CSIA that would allow only Concept X and Z 
vehicles to be launched from the CSIA. Finally, under the no action 
alternative, the FAA would not issue a launch site operator license to 
OSIDA and there would be no commercial launches from the CSIA. In 
addition, the FAA would not issue launch licenses or permits to any 
operators for launches from the CSIA. The CSIA would continue to be 
available for existing aviation and training related activities.
    Potential impacts of the proposed action and alternatives were 
analyzed in the Draft EA. Potential environmental impacts of successful 
launches include impacts to the atmosphere, airspace, biological 
resources, cultural resources, hazardous materials and hazardous waste, 
health and safety, geology and soils, land use and Section 4(f) 
resources, noise, socioeconomics and environmental justice, 
transportation, visual resources, and water resources.
    Potential impacts of the no action alternative would be the same as 
those described in the affected environment in the Draft EA. Potential 
cumulative impacts of the proposed action also are addressed in the 
Draft EA.

    Date Issued: January 25, 2006.
    Place Issued: Washington, DC.
Patricia Grace Smith,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. E6-1501 Filed 2-2-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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