Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, NM, 39370-39371 [E8-15545]

Download as PDF 39370 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 132 / Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / Notices covering management of Federal advisory committees. Issued in Washington, DC, on the 25th day of June, 2008. Shelley Row, Director, ITS Joint Program Office. [FR Doc. E8–15602 Filed 7–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–HY–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, NM The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTIONS: Notice of Availability, Notice of Public Comment Period, Notice of Public Hearings, and Request for Comment. jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on the Draft EIS for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, New Mexico. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Commercial Space Transportation is the lead Federal agency for the development of this EIS. Cooperating agencies include the Bureau of Land Management; the National Park Service; United States Department of the Army, White Sands Missile Range (WSMR); and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Draft EIS was prepared in response to an application for a launch site operator license from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority (NMSA). Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a launch site operator license to NMSA to operate a launch facility capable of accommodating both horizontal and vertical launches of suborbital launch vehicles (LVs). The vehicles may carry space flight participants, scientific experiments, or other payloads. The proposed site is located in Sierra County, approximately 30 miles southeast of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and 45 miles north of Las Cruces, New Mexico. The Draft EIS addresses the potential environmental impacts of issuing a launch site operator license for horizontal launches only (Alternative 1), VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:15 Jul 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 vertical launches only (Alternative 2), and the No Action Alternative. DATES: The public comment period for the NEPA process begins with the publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s notice in the Federal Register on July 3, 2008. To ensure that all comments can be addressed in the Final EIS, comments on the draft must be received by the FAA no later than August 18, 2008. A paper copy and a CD version of the Draft EIS may be reviewed for comment during regular business hours at the following locations: Hatch Public Library, P.O. Box 289, Hatch, NM 87937 Sunland Park Community Library, 984 McNutt Road, Bldg. F–10, Sunland Park, NM 88063 Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, NM 88001 Valley Public Library, 136 N. Main, Anthony, NM 88021 Alamogordo Public Library, 920 Oregon Ave., Alamogordo, NM 88310 Mescalero Community Library, 101 Central Ave., Mescalero, NM 88340 Michael Nivision Library, 90 Swallow Place, Cloudcroft, NM 88317 Truth or Consequences Public Library, 325 Library Lane, Truth or Consequences, NM 87901 Truth or Consequences Public Library— Downtown, 401 Foch St., Truth or Consequences, NM 87901 The FAA is holding a total of six public hearings on the Draft EIS. At these meetings, the FAA will present information about the Draft EIS and the environmental review process. The purpose of the public hearings is to afford the public and other interested parties the opportunity to comment on the economic, social, and environmental effects of the Proposed Action. Members of the public will be provided the opportunity to submit both written and oral comments. The FAA will transcribe oral comments. All comments received during the comment period will be given equal weight and be taken into consideration in the preparation of the Final EIS. The public hearings will be held at the following locations. • August 5, 2008, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Alamogordo City Hall (Commission Chambers), 1376 E. Ninth St., Alamogordo, NM (505–439–4205). • August 6, 2008, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Truth or Consequences Civic Center, 400 West Fourth St., Truth or Consequences, NM (575–894–4400). • August 7, 2008, 2 p.m. and 6:30 ˜ p.m., Dona Ana County Government Center, 845 North Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, NM (575–647–7200). PO 00000 Frm 00093 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 The FAA has posted the Draft EIS on the FAA Web site at https://ast.faa.gov. In addition, CDs with the Draft EIS were sent to persons and agencies on the distribution list (found in Chapter 8 of the Draft EIS). ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the Draft EIS should be mailed to FAA Spaceport America EIS, c/o ICF International, 9300 Lee Highway, Fairfax, VA 22031. Comments also can be sent by e-mail to SpaceportAmericaEIS@icfi.com or fax to (703) 934–3951. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a launch site operator license to NMSA that would allow the State to operate the proposed Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site for both horizontal and vertical suborbital LV launches. Horizontal LVs would launch and land at the proposed Spaceport America airfield. Vertical LVs would launch from Spaceport America and either land at Spaceport America or at WSMR. Rocket-powered vertical landing vehicles would land on either the Spaceport America airfield or a vertical launch/landing pad. In addition, the Proposed Action includes construction of facilities needed to support the licensed launch activities at the proposed launch site. Development of Spaceport America infrastructure would occur in two phases. The total area of land disturbed by construction would be approximately 970 acres; the total area of the final facilities footprint would be approximately 145 acres. The proposed Spaceport America boundary would encompass approximately 26 square miles. This area currently contains both State and private land. Operational activities in support of the Proposed Action would begin as soon as the phased construction activities related to the Proposed Action were completed. The operational activities that may have environmental consequences and would support, either directly or indirectly, licensed launches include: • Transport of Launch Vehicles to the Assembly or Staging Areas. • Transport and Storage of Rocket Propellants and Other Fuels. • Launch, Landing and Recovery Activities for Horizontal Vehicles. • Launch, Landing and Recovery Activities for Vertical Vehicles. • Other Activities. —Ground-Based Tests and Static Firings. —Training. —X Prize Cup Events. The FAA identified two alternatives and the No Action Alternative to the E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 132 / Wednesday, July 9, 2008 / Notices Proposed Action, which are considered in the draft EIS. Under Alternative 1, the FAA would consider issuing a launch site operator license only for the operation of a launch site to support horizontal launches. This is considered a feasible alternative because a significant number of launches of horizontal LVs are projected, and most X Prize Cup activities would be located at the airfield. Under Alternative 2, the FAA would consider issuing a launch site operator license only for the operation of a launch site to support vertical launches. This is considered a feasible alternative because a significant number of launches are projected to be of vertical LVs. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue a launch site operator license to the NMSA. Subsequently, the need to support commercial launches and host the X Prize Cup would not be met by the State of New Mexico. Resource areas were considered to provide a context for understanding and assessing the potential environmental effects of the Proposed Action, with attention focused on key issues. The resource areas considered included compatible land use; Section 4(f) lands and farmlands; noise; visual resources and light emissions; historical, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; air quality; water quality, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, coastal resources, and floodplains; fish, wildlife, and plants; hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and solid waste; socioeconomics, environmental justice, and children’s environmental health and safety risks; and energy supply and natural resources. Construction impacts and secondary (induced) impacts are also considered. Additional analyses considered in the appendices include geology and soils; mineral resources; air space; health and safety; and transportation. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: jlentini on PROD1PC65 with NOTICES Stacey M. Zee (AST–100), Office of Commercial Space Transportation, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 331, Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267–9305; E-mail stacey.zee@faa.gov. Issued in Washington, DC on July 2, 2008. Michael McElligott, Manager, Space Systems Development Division. [FR Doc. E8–15545 Filed 7–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P VerDate Aug<31>2005 16:15 Jul 08, 2008 Jkt 214001 DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration [Summary Notice No. PE–2008–25] Petitions for Exemption; Summary of Petitions Received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of petitions for exemption received. AGENCY: SUMMARY: This notice contains a summary of certain petitions seeking relief from specified requirements of 14 CFR. The purpose of this notice is to improve the public’s awareness of, and participation in, this aspect of FAA’s regulatory activities. Neither publication of this notice nor the inclusion or omission of information in the summary is intended to affect the legal status of any petition or its final disposition. DATES: Comments on petitions received must identify the petition docket number involved and must be received on or before July 21, 2008. ADDRESSES: You may send comments identified by Docket Number FAA– 2006–25466 using any of the following methods: • Government-wide Rulemaking Web Site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov and follow the instructions for sending your comments electronically. • Mail: Send comments to the Docket Management Facility; U.S. Department of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC 20590. • Fax: Fax comments to the Docket Management Facility at 202–493–2251. • Hand Delivery: Bring comments to the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. • Docket: To read background documents or comments received, go to https://www.regulations.gov at any time or to the Docket Management Facility in Room W12–140 of the West Building Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., Washington, DC, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We will post all comments we receive, without change, to https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information you provide. Using the search function of our docket Web Site, anyone can find and read the comments received into any of our dockets, including the name PO 00000 Frm 00094 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 39371 of the individual sending the comment (or signing the comment for an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT’s complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477–78). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tyneka Thomas (202) 267–7626 or Frances Shaver (202) 267–9681, Office of Rulemaking, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20591. This notice is published pursuant to 14 CFR 11.85. Issued in Washington, DC, on July 2, 2008. Pamela Hamilton-Powell, Director, Office of Rulemaking. Petitions for Exemption Docket No.: FAA–2006–25466. Petitioner: Southwest Airlines Co. Section of 14 CFR Affected: §§ 121.391(a) and 121.393(b). Description of Relief Sought: To clarify or amend Southwest Airlines, Co. (Southwest), current Exemption No. 9382, which allows Southwest to substitute a pilot for one required flight attendant crewmember during boarding at an intermediate stop and to reduce the number of required flight attendants onboard during the deplaning of passengers at an intermediate stop. The clarification or amendment Southwest seeks would broaden the exemption to include all stops from the time the aircraft door is opened upon arrival at the gate until the door is closed prior to the next flight operation. Southwest also requests that the certificate holder may substitute for the required flight attendants other persons qualified in the emergency evacuation procedures for that aircraft as required in § 121.417, for all stops, if these persons are identified to the passengers. [FR Doc. E8–15481 Filed 7–8–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Highway Administration First Tier Environmental Impact Statement: Jackson County, MO Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The FHWA is issuing this notice to advise the public that a First Tier Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) will be prepared for proposed improvements to I–70 from the end of the last ramp termini east of the Missouri and Kansas state line to east of E:\FR\FM\09JYN1.SGM 09JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 9, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 39370-39371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-15545]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability 
and Request for Comment on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) 
for the Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, NM

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

ACTIONS: Notice of Availability, Notice of Public Comment Period, 
Notice of Public Hearings, and Request for Comment.

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
regulations and FAA Order 1050.1E, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the 
availability of and requesting comments on the Draft EIS for the 
Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site, Sierra County, New Mexico. 
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Office of Commercial Space 
Transportation is the lead Federal agency for the development of this 
EIS. Cooperating agencies include the Bureau of Land Management; the 
National Park Service; United States Department of the Army, White 
Sands Missile Range (WSMR); and the National Aeronautics and Space 
Administration.
    The Draft EIS was prepared in response to an application for a 
launch site operator license from the New Mexico Spaceport Authority 
(NMSA). Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a launch site 
operator license to NMSA to operate a launch facility capable of 
accommodating both horizontal and vertical launches of suborbital 
launch vehicles (LVs). The vehicles may carry space flight 
participants, scientific experiments, or other payloads. The proposed 
site is located in Sierra County, approximately 30 miles southeast of 
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, and 45 miles north of Las Cruces, 
New Mexico. The Draft EIS addresses the potential environmental impacts 
of issuing a launch site operator license for horizontal launches only 
(Alternative 1), vertical launches only (Alternative 2), and the No 
Action Alternative.

DATES: The public comment period for the NEPA process begins with the 
publication of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's notice in the 
Federal Register on July 3, 2008. To ensure that all comments can be 
addressed in the Final EIS, comments on the draft must be received by 
the FAA no later than August 18, 2008.
    A paper copy and a CD version of the Draft EIS may be reviewed for 
comment during regular business hours at the following locations:
Hatch Public Library, P.O. Box 289, Hatch, NM 87937
Sunland Park Community Library, 984 McNutt Road, Bldg. F-10, Sunland 
Park, NM 88063
Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, 200 E Picacho Ave., Las Cruces, NM 
88001
Valley Public Library, 136 N. Main, Anthony, NM 88021
Alamogordo Public Library, 920 Oregon Ave., Alamogordo, NM 88310
Mescalero Community Library, 101 Central Ave., Mescalero, NM 88340
Michael Nivision Library, 90 Swallow Place, Cloudcroft, NM 88317
Truth or Consequences Public Library, 325 Library Lane, Truth or 
Consequences, NM 87901
Truth or Consequences Public Library--Downtown, 401 Foch St., Truth or 
Consequences, NM 87901
    The FAA is holding a total of six public hearings on the Draft EIS. 
At these meetings, the FAA will present information about the Draft EIS 
and the environmental review process. The purpose of the public 
hearings is to afford the public and other interested parties the 
opportunity to comment on the economic, social, and environmental 
effects of the Proposed Action. Members of the public will be provided 
the opportunity to submit both written and oral comments. The FAA will 
transcribe oral comments. All comments received during the comment 
period will be given equal weight and be taken into consideration in 
the preparation of the Final EIS. The public hearings will be held at 
the following locations.
     August 5, 2008, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Alamogordo City Hall 
(Commission Chambers), 1376 E. Ninth St., Alamogordo, NM (505-439-
4205).
     August 6, 2008, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Truth or 
Consequences Civic Center, 400 West Fourth St., Truth or Consequences, 
NM (575-894-4400).
     August 7, 2008, 2 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., Do[ntilde]a Ana 
County Government Center, 845 North Motel Blvd., Las Cruces, NM (575-
647-7200).
    The FAA has posted the Draft EIS on the FAA Web site at https://
ast.faa.gov. In addition, CDs with the Draft EIS were sent to persons 
and agencies on the distribution list (found in Chapter 8 of the Draft 
EIS).

ADDRESSES: Comments regarding the Draft EIS should be mailed to FAA 
Spaceport America EIS, c/o ICF International, 9300 Lee Highway, 
Fairfax, VA 22031. Comments also can be sent by e-mail to 
SpaceportAmericaEIS@icfi.com or fax to (703) 934-3951.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue 
a launch site operator license to NMSA that would allow the State to 
operate the proposed Spaceport America Commercial Launch Site for both 
horizontal and vertical suborbital LV launches. Horizontal LVs would 
launch and land at the proposed Spaceport America airfield. Vertical 
LVs would launch from Spaceport America and either land at Spaceport 
America or at WSMR. Rocket-powered vertical landing vehicles would land 
on either the Spaceport America airfield or a vertical launch/landing 
pad.
    In addition, the Proposed Action includes construction of 
facilities needed to support the licensed launch activities at the 
proposed launch site. Development of Spaceport America infrastructure 
would occur in two phases. The total area of land disturbed by 
construction would be approximately 970 acres; the total area of the 
final facilities footprint would be approximately 145 acres. The 
proposed Spaceport America boundary would encompass approximately 26 
square miles. This area currently contains both State and private land.
    Operational activities in support of the Proposed Action would 
begin as soon as the phased construction activities related to the 
Proposed Action were completed. The operational activities that may 
have environmental consequences and would support, either directly or 
indirectly, licensed launches include:
     Transport of Launch Vehicles to the Assembly or Staging 
Areas.
     Transport and Storage of Rocket Propellants and Other 
Fuels.
     Launch, Landing and Recovery Activities for Horizontal 
Vehicles.
     Launch, Landing and Recovery Activities for Vertical 
Vehicles.
     Other Activities.
--Ground-Based Tests and Static Firings.
--Training.
--X Prize Cup Events.
    The FAA identified two alternatives and the No Action Alternative 
to the

[[Page 39371]]

Proposed Action, which are considered in the draft EIS. Under 
Alternative 1, the FAA would consider issuing a launch site operator 
license only for the operation of a launch site to support horizontal 
launches. This is considered a feasible alternative because a 
significant number of launches of horizontal LVs are projected, and 
most X Prize Cup activities would be located at the airfield.
    Under Alternative 2, the FAA would consider issuing a launch site 
operator license only for the operation of a launch site to support 
vertical launches. This is considered a feasible alternative because a 
significant number of launches are projected to be of vertical LVs.
    Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue a launch 
site operator license to the NMSA. Subsequently, the need to support 
commercial launches and host the X Prize Cup would not be met by the 
State of New Mexico.
    Resource areas were considered to provide a context for 
understanding and assessing the potential environmental effects of the 
Proposed Action, with attention focused on key issues. The resource 
areas considered included compatible land use; Section 4(f) lands and 
farmlands; noise; visual resources and light emissions; historical, 
architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; air quality; 
water quality, wetlands, wild and scenic rivers, coastal resources, and 
floodplains; fish, wildlife, and plants; hazardous materials, pollution 
prevention, and solid waste; socioeconomics, environmental justice, and 
children's environmental health and safety risks; and energy supply and 
natural resources. Construction impacts and secondary (induced) impacts 
are also considered. Additional analyses considered in the appendices 
include geology and soils; mineral resources; air space; health and 
safety; and transportation.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Stacey M. Zee (AST-100), Office of 
Commercial Space Transportation, 800 Independence Avenue, SW., Room 
331, Washington, DC 20591, telephone (202) 267-9305; E-mail 
stacey.zee@faa.gov.

    Issued in Washington, DC on July 2, 2008.
Michael McElligott,
Manager, Space Systems Development Division.1
 [FR Doc. E8-15545 Filed 7-8-08; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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