National Environmental Policy Act: Scientific Balloon Program, 77673-77674 [2010-31239]
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Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 238 / Monday, December 13, 2010 / Notices
making this decision, may undertake
other proceedings prescribed in
Appendix A to 29 CFR 1910.7. OSHA
will publish a public notice of this final
decision in the Federal Register.
However, because OSHA is only
correcting the recognition, if OSHA
receives no comments, it will add the
standard to FM’s scope without
publishing a notice of final decision.
Authority and Signature
David Michaels, Ph.D., MPH,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for
Occupational Safety and Health, 200
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington,
DC 20210, directed the preparation of
this notice. Accordingly, the Agency is
issuing this notice pursuant to Sections
6(b) and 8(g) of the Occupational Safety
and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 655
and 657), Secretary of Labor’s Order No.
4–2010 (75 FR 55355), and 29 CFR part
1911.
Signed at Washington, DC, on December 8,
2010.
David Michaels,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. 2010–31190 Filed 12–10–10; 8:45 am]
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice: (10–160)]
National Environmental Policy Act:
Scientific Balloon Program
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Finding of No Significant
Impact.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et
seq.); the Council on Environmental
Quality Regulations for Implementing
the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (40
CFR Parts 1500–1508); and NASA
policy and procedures (14 CFR part
1216, subpart 1216.3); NASA has made
a Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI) with respect to its proposed
increase in scientific balloon launches
at the Columbia Scientific Balloon
Facility (CSBF). CSBF would launch up
to 10 additional scientific balloons per
year from CSBF Fort Sumner, New
Mexico, while launches from CSBF
Palestine, Texas would remain at
current levels.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the final Scientific
Balloon Program Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (PEA) may
be viewed at the following locations:
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SUMMARY:
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(a) Fort Sumner Public Library, 235
West Sumner Avenue, Fort Sumner,
New Mexico 88119 (575–355–2832).
(b) Palestine Public Library, 1101
North Cedar Street, Palestine, Texas
75801 (903–729–4121).
(c) NASA Headquarters Library, Room
1J20, 300 E Street, SW., Washington, DC
20546–0001 (202–358–0168).
On the Internet at: https://
sites.wff.nasa.gov/code 250/docs/
BPO_PEA.html.
A limited number of hard copies of
the final PEA are available by
contacting: Joshua Bundick, NEPA
Program Manager, NASA Wallops
Island Flight Facility, Code 250.W,
Wallops Island, VA 23337.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Joshua Bundick, (757) 824–2319
(phone); (757) 824–1819 (fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA has
reviewed the Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (PEA)
prepared for the scientific balloon
launches at the Columbia Scientific
Balloon Facility (CSBF) and has
concluded that the PEA represents an
accurate and adequate analysis of the
scope and level of associated
environmental impacts. NASA hereby
incorporates the PEA by reference in the
Finding of No Significant Impact
(FONSI). NASA solicited public and
agency review and comment on the
environmental impacts of the proposed
action through:
1. Publishing a notice of availability
of the draft PEA and the draft FONSI in
the Federal Register, the DeBaca County
News, and the Palestine Herald;
2. Making available the draft PEA and
draft FONSI at the Palestine Public
Library, Palestine, Texas; the Fort
Sumner Public Library, Fort Sumner,
New Mexico; and the NASA
Headquarters Library in Washington,
DC;
3. Publication of the draft PEA and
draft FONSI on the Internet;
4. Consultations with Federal, State,
and local agencies; and
5. Mailing the draft PEA and draft
FONSI directly to interested parties.
Comments received were taken into
consideration in the final PEA.
CSBF is composed of two facilities
that launch scientific balloons. The
main facility is located in Palestine,
Texas, while the other facility is located
in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Though
CSBF Palestine is the main facility, most
balloon launches occur from the Fort
Sumner facility due to its more remote
nature. As balloon flight paths are winddriven, their landing sites could be in
adjacent States. An analysis of the past
ten years of flights indicates that the
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77673
majority of balloons and payloads are
recovered from Texas, New Mexico, and
Arizona. Very few balloons or payloads
have landed in the neighboring States of
Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado.
The PEA describes the potential
impacts from the Proposed Action as
well as the No Action alternative. Under
the Proposed Action, NASA would
increase the number of scientific
balloons launched each year. Balloon
flights originating from CSBF Fort
Sumner would increase from 15 to 25
annually; balloons launched from the
CSBF Palestine would continue at
approximately 6 per year. No
construction would take place at either
of the two launch sites and no increase
in the personnel staff at either CSBF
Fort Sumner or CSBF Palestine is
proposed.
Under the No Action alternative,
NASA would not increase the number
of balloon launches from either CSBF
location, and the status quo would be
maintained with 21 conventional
balloons launched annually.
Summary of Environmental Impacts:
The potential environmental impacts
from implementation of the Proposed
Action are summarized below.
Airspace and Balloon Operations: No
adverse impacts to airspace
management or balloon operations are
anticipated under this proposal. CSBF
would continue to adhere to the letter
of agreement with the Federal Aviation
Administration Air Route Traffic
Control Centers (ARTCC) for
Albuquerque and Fort Worth. CSBF
would continue to notify Cannon Air
Force Base prior to balloon launches to
further enhance safety in the region. As
such, impacts to other users of the
airspace or to balloons launched from
CSBF Fort Sumner or CSBF Palestine
would not be adverse.
Safety: NASA and CSBF have
extensive safety regulations and
standard safety procedures for launch
and recovery activities that ensure
safety of staff and the general public.
Models developed by NASA are used to
predict the landing location of the
balloon system. Along with real-time
computer monitoring systems and
controls, population centers and Special
Use Land Management Areas (SULMAs)
can be avoided, virtually eliminating the
potential for injury to people or
property. Adverse impacts from
implementing the Proposed Action are
not anticipated.
Air Quality: Vehicular travel by
research scientists and students to the
CSBF Fort Sumner location would
increase under this proposal; however,
the emissions would be minimal. Air
emissions would not be perceptibly
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wwoods2 on DSK1DXX6B1PROD with NOTICES_PART 1
77674
Federal Register / Vol. 75, No. 238 / Monday, December 13, 2010 / Notices
changed within the CSBF Operations
Area due to the small increase in trips
to be conducted by recovery vehicles
and tracking planes used during the
balloon and payload/parachute descent.
Overall, no measureable change in air
emissions would be anticipated.
Socioeconomics: Fort Sumner Village
would experience a short-term positive
economic impact each year during
balloon campaigns at CSBF Fort Sumner
from the purchase of food, supplies, and
lodging by CSBF staff and research
scientists and students. An adequate
supply of restaurants and lodging
accommodations exists to meet the
needs of the CSBF staff and research
scientists/students. The City of Palestine
currently experiences positive economic
impacts from CSBF activities. Under
this proposal, balloon launches from
Palestine would not increase; therefore,
no change in socioeconomic impacts
would be anticipated.
Land Use: CSBF currently avoids
SULMAs and would continue this
practice under the Proposed Action. The
CSBF Operations Area spans portions of
six States; the chances of a balloon/
payload landing in the same location are
unlikely. Recovery operations are often
complete within 24 hours after landing
has occurred. Should a balloon/payload
land within a SULMA, or on private
land, the land manager/landowner
would be contacted prior to the CSBF
recovery team accessing the site. If
required, CSBF would obtain a permit
or authorization to retrieve the balloon/
payload. Overall, no adverse impact to
land use would be expected.
Biological Resources: Minor adverse
impacts to biological resources are
anticipated under the Proposed Action.
CSBF would continue to avoid known
critical habitats and wetlands. If
unplanned circumstances resulted in
the need to land a payload within a
designated Critical Habitat, CSBF would
initiate contact with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service to determine the best
method for payload recovery, with the
least amount of environmental impact.
Cultural Resources: Increased balloon
operations would constitute an
increased probability for adverse effects
to cultural resources from balloon/
payload landing and recovery activities;
however, the probability for impacting
culturally significant resources would
be extremely low. Predictive modeling
used by CSBF for balloon/payload
landing would continue to be used for
avoidance of all known culturally
significant areas. If unplanned
circumstances resulted in the need to
land a payload within a culturally
sensitive area, CSBF would initiate
contact with the responsible State or
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15:42 Dec 10, 2010
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Tribal Historic Preservation Officer to
determine the best method for payload
recovery, with the least amount of
impact.
Hazardous Materials and Systems:
Strict operational control measures are
followed when hazardous materials are
used during balloon staging and
operations. Should a release of any
hazardous material occur during
payload landing/recovery operations,
CSBF staff would implement NASAapproved procedures for clean up in
accordance with applicable Federal and
State regulations. Accordingly, impacts
to personnel or the environment would
not be expected.
Transportation: Transportation or
traffic issues are minimal in the regions
surrounding the CSBF launch sites.
Vehicles used in recovery operations
would not impact transportation
systems across the CSBF Operations
Area. As such, no adverse impacts to
transportation resources in the region
surrounding the CSBF launch sites or
within the Operations Area are
anticipated.
Cumulative Effects: Cumulative
impacts were evaluated for potentially
affected resources. No cumulative
impacts are anticipated from
implementation of the Proposed Action.
No other known or foreseeable actions
would be anticipated to affect resource
areas impacted by CSBF balloon launch,
flight, termination, or recovery
activities.
Conclusion: NASA has identified no
other issues of potential environmental
concern. Based on the findings in the
final PEA for the NASA Scientific
Balloon Program, and review of
underlying reference documents, NASA
has determined that the environmental
impacts associated with the Proposed
Action will not individually or
cumulatively have a significant impact
on the quality of the human
environment. Therefore, an
environmental impact statement will
not be required.
Dated: December 7, 2010.
Edward J. Weiler,
Associate Administrator, Science Mission
Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2010–31239 Filed 12–10–10; 8:45 am]
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NATIONAL CREDIT UNION
ADMINISTRATION
Sunshine Act Meeting Notice
10 a.m., Thursday,
December 16, 2010.
TIME AND DATE:
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Board Room, 7th Floor, Room
7047, 1775 Duke Street, Alexandria, VA
22314–3428.
STATUS: Open.
MATTERS TO BE CONSIDERED:
1. Final Rule—Parts 701, 708a and
708b of NCUA’s Rules and Regulations,
Mergers and Conversions of Insured
Credit Unions, Fiduciary Duties and
Indemnification of Directors.
2. Final Rule—Section 701.34 of
NCUA’s Rules and Regulations, LowIncome Definition.
3. Proposed Rule—Section 701.34 of
NCUA’s Rules and Regulations, Member
Survey Sample Data to Meet LowIncome Designation.
4. Proposed Rule—Part 740 of
NCUA’s Rules and Regulations,
Accuracy of Advertising and Notice of
Insured Status.
5. Proposed Rule—Part 745 of
NCUA’s Rules and Regulations, Share
Insurance, Non-interest-bearing
Transaction Accounts.
6. Tri-State Federal Credit Union’s
Appeal of Region II’s Denial of its Field
of Membership Expansion Request.
7. Central Liquidity Facility Change in
Overhead Reimbursement Methodology.
8. Insurance Fund Report.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mary Rupp, Secretary of the Board,
Telephone: 703–518–6304.
PLACE:
Mary Rupp,
Board Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010–31391 Filed 12–9–10; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE P
NATIONAL FOUNDATION ON THE
ARTS AND THE HUMANITIES
National Endowment for the Arts; Arts
Advisory Panel
Pursuant to Section 10(a)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub.
L. 92–463), as amended, notice is hereby
given that nine meetings of the Arts
Advisory Panel to the National Council
on the Arts will be held at the Nancy
Hanks Center, 1100 Pennsylvania
Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20506 as
follows (ending times are approximate):
State and Regional/Arts Education
(review of State Arts Agency Partnership
Agreements): January 5–6, 2011 in
Room 716. This meeting, from 9 a.m. to
10:15 a.m. and from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
on January 5th and from 9 a.m. to 1:30
p.m. on January 6th, will be open.
Arts Education (application review):
January 6, 2011 in Room 716. This
meeting, from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m., will
be closed.
Media Arts (application review):
January 11–13, 2011 in Room 730. This
E:\FR\FM\13DEN1.SGM
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 238 (Monday, December 13, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77673-77674]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-31239]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice: (10-160)]
National Environmental Policy Act: Scientific Balloon Program
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Finding of No Significant Impact.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.); the Council on
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508); and NASA policy and
procedures (14 CFR part 1216, subpart 1216.3); NASA has made a Finding
of No Significant Impact (FONSI) with respect to its proposed increase
in scientific balloon launches at the Columbia Scientific Balloon
Facility (CSBF). CSBF would launch up to 10 additional scientific
balloons per year from CSBF Fort Sumner, New Mexico, while launches
from CSBF Palestine, Texas would remain at current levels.
ADDRESSES: Copies of the final Scientific Balloon Program Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (PEA) may be viewed at the following
locations:
(a) Fort Sumner Public Library, 235 West Sumner Avenue, Fort
Sumner, New Mexico 88119 (575-355-2832).
(b) Palestine Public Library, 1101 North Cedar Street, Palestine,
Texas 75801 (903-729-4121).
(c) NASA Headquarters Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20546-0001 (202-358-0168).
On the Internet at: https://sites.wff.nasa.gov/code 250/docs/BPO--
PEA.html.
A limited number of hard copies of the final PEA are available by
contacting: Joshua Bundick, NEPA Program Manager, NASA Wallops Island
Flight Facility, Code 250.W, Wallops Island, VA 23337.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joshua Bundick, (757) 824-2319
(phone); (757) 824-1819 (fax).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA has reviewed the Programmatic
Environmental Assessment (PEA) prepared for the scientific balloon
launches at the Columbia Scientific Balloon Facility (CSBF) and has
concluded that the PEA represents an accurate and adequate analysis of
the scope and level of associated environmental impacts. NASA hereby
incorporates the PEA by reference in the Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI). NASA solicited public and agency review and comment on
the environmental impacts of the proposed action through:
1. Publishing a notice of availability of the draft PEA and the
draft FONSI in the Federal Register, the DeBaca County News, and the
Palestine Herald;
2. Making available the draft PEA and draft FONSI at the Palestine
Public Library, Palestine, Texas; the Fort Sumner Public Library, Fort
Sumner, New Mexico; and the NASA Headquarters Library in Washington,
DC;
3. Publication of the draft PEA and draft FONSI on the Internet;
4. Consultations with Federal, State, and local agencies; and
5. Mailing the draft PEA and draft FONSI directly to interested
parties.
Comments received were taken into consideration in the final PEA.
CSBF is composed of two facilities that launch scientific balloons.
The main facility is located in Palestine, Texas, while the other
facility is located in Fort Sumner, New Mexico. Though CSBF Palestine
is the main facility, most balloon launches occur from the Fort Sumner
facility due to its more remote nature. As balloon flight paths are
wind-driven, their landing sites could be in adjacent States. An
analysis of the past ten years of flights indicates that the majority
of balloons and payloads are recovered from Texas, New Mexico, and
Arizona. Very few balloons or payloads have landed in the neighboring
States of Oklahoma, Kansas, and Colorado.
The PEA describes the potential impacts from the Proposed Action as
well as the No Action alternative. Under the Proposed Action, NASA
would increase the number of scientific balloons launched each year.
Balloon flights originating from CSBF Fort Sumner would increase from
15 to 25 annually; balloons launched from the CSBF Palestine would
continue at approximately 6 per year. No construction would take place
at either of the two launch sites and no increase in the personnel
staff at either CSBF Fort Sumner or CSBF Palestine is proposed.
Under the No Action alternative, NASA would not increase the number
of balloon launches from either CSBF location, and the status quo would
be maintained with 21 conventional balloons launched annually.
Summary of Environmental Impacts: The potential environmental
impacts from implementation of the Proposed Action are summarized
below.
Airspace and Balloon Operations: No adverse impacts to airspace
management or balloon operations are anticipated under this proposal.
CSBF would continue to adhere to the letter of agreement with the
Federal Aviation Administration Air Route Traffic Control Centers
(ARTCC) for Albuquerque and Fort Worth. CSBF would continue to notify
Cannon Air Force Base prior to balloon launches to further enhance
safety in the region. As such, impacts to other users of the airspace
or to balloons launched from CSBF Fort Sumner or CSBF Palestine would
not be adverse.
Safety: NASA and CSBF have extensive safety regulations and
standard safety procedures for launch and recovery activities that
ensure safety of staff and the general public. Models developed by NASA
are used to predict the landing location of the balloon system. Along
with real-time computer monitoring systems and controls, population
centers and Special Use Land Management Areas (SULMAs) can be avoided,
virtually eliminating the potential for injury to people or property.
Adverse impacts from implementing the Proposed Action are not
anticipated.
Air Quality: Vehicular travel by research scientists and students
to the CSBF Fort Sumner location would increase under this proposal;
however, the emissions would be minimal. Air emissions would not be
perceptibly
[[Page 77674]]
changed within the CSBF Operations Area due to the small increase in
trips to be conducted by recovery vehicles and tracking planes used
during the balloon and payload/parachute descent. Overall, no
measureable change in air emissions would be anticipated.
Socioeconomics: Fort Sumner Village would experience a short-term
positive economic impact each year during balloon campaigns at CSBF
Fort Sumner from the purchase of food, supplies, and lodging by CSBF
staff and research scientists and students. An adequate supply of
restaurants and lodging accommodations exists to meet the needs of the
CSBF staff and research scientists/students. The City of Palestine
currently experiences positive economic impacts from CSBF activities.
Under this proposal, balloon launches from Palestine would not
increase; therefore, no change in socioeconomic impacts would be
anticipated.
Land Use: CSBF currently avoids SULMAs and would continue this
practice under the Proposed Action. The CSBF Operations Area spans
portions of six States; the chances of a balloon/payload landing in the
same location are unlikely. Recovery operations are often complete
within 24 hours after landing has occurred. Should a balloon/payload
land within a SULMA, or on private land, the land manager/landowner
would be contacted prior to the CSBF recovery team accessing the site.
If required, CSBF would obtain a permit or authorization to retrieve
the balloon/payload. Overall, no adverse impact to land use would be
expected.
Biological Resources: Minor adverse impacts to biological resources
are anticipated under the Proposed Action. CSBF would continue to avoid
known critical habitats and wetlands. If unplanned circumstances
resulted in the need to land a payload within a designated Critical
Habitat, CSBF would initiate contact with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service to determine the best method for payload recovery, with the
least amount of environmental impact.
Cultural Resources: Increased balloon operations would constitute
an increased probability for adverse effects to cultural resources from
balloon/payload landing and recovery activities; however, the
probability for impacting culturally significant resources would be
extremely low. Predictive modeling used by CSBF for balloon/payload
landing would continue to be used for avoidance of all known culturally
significant areas. If unplanned circumstances resulted in the need to
land a payload within a culturally sensitive area, CSBF would initiate
contact with the responsible State or Tribal Historic Preservation
Officer to determine the best method for payload recovery, with the
least amount of impact.
Hazardous Materials and Systems: Strict operational control
measures are followed when hazardous materials are used during balloon
staging and operations. Should a release of any hazardous material
occur during payload landing/recovery operations, CSBF staff would
implement NASA-approved procedures for clean up in accordance with
applicable Federal and State regulations. Accordingly, impacts to
personnel or the environment would not be expected.
Transportation: Transportation or traffic issues are minimal in the
regions surrounding the CSBF launch sites. Vehicles used in recovery
operations would not impact transportation systems across the CSBF
Operations Area. As such, no adverse impacts to transportation
resources in the region surrounding the CSBF launch sites or within the
Operations Area are anticipated.
Cumulative Effects: Cumulative impacts were evaluated for
potentially affected resources. No cumulative impacts are anticipated
from implementation of the Proposed Action. No other known or
foreseeable actions would be anticipated to affect resource areas
impacted by CSBF balloon launch, flight, termination, or recovery
activities.
Conclusion: NASA has identified no other issues of potential
environmental concern. Based on the findings in the final PEA for the
NASA Scientific Balloon Program, and review of underlying reference
documents, NASA has determined that the environmental impacts
associated with the Proposed Action will not individually or
cumulatively have a significant impact on the quality of the human
environment. Therefore, an environmental impact statement will not be
required.
Dated: December 7, 2010.
Edward J. Weiler,
Associate Administrator, Science Mission Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2010-31239 Filed 12-10-10; 8:45 am]
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