National Environmental Policy Act: Launch of NASA Routine Payloads on Expendable Launch Vehicles, 52694-52696 [2011-21419]
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52694
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2011 / Notices
II. Review Focus
The Department of Labor is
particularly interested in comments
which:
• Evaluate whether the proposed
collection of information is necessary
for the proper performance of the
functions of the agency, including
whether the information will have
practical utility;
• Evaluate the accuracy of the
agency’s estimate of the burden of the
proposed collection of information,
including the validity of the
methodology and assumptions used;
• Enhance the quality, utility, and
clarity of the information to be
collected; and
• Minimize the burden of the
collection of information on those who
are to respond, including through the
use of appropriate automated,
electronic, mechanical, or other
technological collection techniques or
other forms of information technology,
e.g., permitting electronic submissions
of responses.
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III. Current Actions
The DOL seeks approval for the
extension of this currently approved
information collection in order to carry
out its responsibility to ensure
compliance with the youth employment
provisions of the FLSA and its
regulations. Without this information,
the Administrator would have no means
to determine if the proposed program
meets the regulatory requirements.
Type of Review: Extension.
Agency: Wage and Hour Division.
Titles: Work Experience and Career
Exploration Programs (WECEP)
Regulations, 29 CFR 570.35a.
OMB Number: 1235–0011.
Affected Public: State, Local, or Tribal
Government.
Frequency: Biennially.
Total Respondents: 37.
Total Annual Responses: 14,287.
Average Time per Response:
Reporting:
WECEP Application—2 hours.
Written Training Agreement—1
hour.
Recordkeeping:
WECEP Program Information—1
hour.
Filing of WECEP Record and
Training Agreement—One-half minute.
Total Burden Hours: 14,145.
Total Burden Cost (capital/startup):
$0.
Total Burden Cost (operating/
maintenance): $3.29.
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Dated: July 20, 2011.
Mary Ziegler,
Director, Division of Regulations, Legislation,
and Interpretations.
[FR Doc. 2011–21529 Filed 8–22–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–27–P
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice (11–076)]
National Environmental Policy Act:
Launch of NASA Routine Payloads on
Expendable Launch Vehicles
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Notice of availability and
request for comments on the draft
environmental assessment (‘‘Draft EA’’)
for launch of NASA routine payloads on
expendable launch vehicles.
AGENCY:
Pursuant to the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq.), the Council on Environmental
Quality (CEQ) Regulations for
Implementing the Procedural Provisions
of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500–1508), and
NASA NEPA policy and procedures
(14 CFR part 1216 subpart 1216.3),
NASA has prepared a Draft EA for
launch of NASA routine payloads on
expendable launch vehicles. For
purposes of this Draft EA, NASA routine
payloads include science instruments,
spacecraft or technology
demonstrations. This EA updates the
Final Environmental Assessment for
Launch of NASA Routine Payloads on
Expendable Launch Vehicles from Cape
Canaveral Air Force Station Florida and
Vandenberg Air Force Base California
published in June 2002. NASA missions
covered by this Draft EA would be
scheduled for launch at one of the
proposed launch sites and would be
within the total number of launch
operations previously analyzed in
launch vehicle and launch site NEPA
documents. The proposed launches
would occur from existing launch
facilities at CCAFS, Florida, VAFB,
California, the United States Army
Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site
(USAKA/RTS) in the Republic of the
Marshall Islands (RMI), NASA’s
Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), Virginia,
and the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC),
Alaska. The Cooperating Agencies on
this Draft EA include the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA), the Air
Force Space and Missile Systems
Center, the U.S. Army Space and
Missile Defense Command, and the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA).
SUMMARY:
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The Draft EA analyzes the potential
environmental impacts associated with
preparing and implementing launches
of missions that are designated NASA
routine payloads on U.S. expendable
launch vehicles from existing U.S.
facilities using established procedures.
The NASA routine payloads meet
rigorously defined criteria ensuring that
the spacecraft and their operation would
not present any new or substantial
environmental and safety concerns. A
Routine Payload Checklist is used to
exclude missions from consideration as
routine payloads if they: (1) Include any
extraterrestrial sample return; (2) would
be launched on a vehicle or from a
launch site for which NASA has not
completed NEPA compliance; (3) carry
radioactive sources that could not be
approved by the NASA Office of Safety
and Mission Assurance Nuclear Flight
Safety Assurance Manager or designee;
(4) cause the manifested launch rate (per
year) for a particular launch vehicle to
exceed the rate previously approved and
permitted at the launch sites; (5) require
the construction of any new facilities (or
substantial modification of existing
facilities); (6) utilize hazardous
materials in quantities exceeding the
Envelope Payload Characteristics
(EPCs); (7) utilize potentially hazardous
material whose type or amount would
not be covered by new or existing local
permits; (8) release material other than
propulsion system exhaust or inert gases
into the atmosphere; (9) suggest the
potential for any substantial impact on
public health and safety not covered by
this Draft EA; (10) have the potential for
substantial effects on the environment
outside the United States; (11) utilize an
Earth-pointing laser system that does
not meet the requirements for safe
operations according to American
National Standards Institute analysis
techniques; (12) carry live or inactive
disease-causing biological agents
beyond Biological Safety Level 1; or (13)
have the potential to create substantial
public controversy related to
environmental issues.
Payloads that fall within the Routine
Payload Checklist would utilize
materials, quantities of materials,
launch vehicles, and operational
characteristics that are consistent with
normal and routine payload preparation
and flight activities at these specified
launch sites. Therefore, the
environmental impacts of launching
routine payloads would fall within the
range of routine, ongoing, and
previously documented impacts
associated with approved programs that
have been determined not to be
significant. The purpose and need for
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2011 / Notices
this proposed action is to fulfill NASA’s
mission for Earth exploration, space
exploration, technology development,
and scientific research. The scientific
missions associated with NASA routine
payloads could not be accomplished
without launching orbital and
interplanetary spacecraft.
DATES: Interested parties are invited to
submit comments on the Draft EA in
writing no later than 45 days from the
date of publication of this notice in the
Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be
submitted via electronic mail to:
routine-payload-ea@lists.nasa.gov.
Comments may also be submitted via
postal mail addressed to: George Tahu,
NASA Program Executive, Science
Mission Directorate, Planetary Science
Division, Mail Stop 3V71, NASA
Headquarters, 300 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20546.
The Draft EA is available for review
at https://www.nasa.gov/green/nepa/
routinepayloadea.html.
The Draft EA may also be reviewed at
the following locations:
(a) NASA Headquarters, Library,
Room 1J20, 300 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20546 (202–358–0167).
(b) Central Brevard Library and
Reference Center, 308 Forrest Ave.,
Cocoa, FL 32922 (321–633–1792).
(c) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors
Lobby, Building 249, 4800 Oak Grove
Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818–354–
5179).
(d) NASA, Goddard Space Flight
Visitor’s Center, 8463 Greenbelt Road,
Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301–286–8981).
(e) Chincoteague Island Library, 4077
Main Street, Chincoteague, VA 23336
(757–336–3460).
(f) NASA WFF Technical Library,
Building E–105, Wallops Island, VA
23337 (757–824–1065).
(g) Eastern Shore Public Library,
23610 Front Street, Accomac, VA 23301
(757–787–3400).
(h) Kodiak Library, 319 Lower Mill
Bay Road, Kodiak, AK 99615 (907–486–
8680).
(i) NASA Ames Research Center,
Moffett Field, CA 94035 (650–604–
3273).
(j) Grace Sherwood and Roi-Namur
Libraries, P.O. Box 23, Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands APO, A.P. 96555.
(805–355–2015).
(k) Alele Public Library, P.O. Box 629,
Majuro, Republic of the Marshall
Islands 96960. (692–625–3372).
(l) Lompoc Public Library, 501 E.
North Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436 (850–
875–8775).
(m) Santa Maria Public Library, 420
South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA
93454–5199 (805–925–0994).
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(n) Government Information Center,
Davidson Library, University of
California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara,
CA 93106–9010 (805–893–8803).
(o) Vandenberg Air Force Base
Library, 100 Community Loop, Building
10343A, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437
(805–606–6414).
(p) Hampton Library, 4207 Victoria
Blvd., Hampton, VA 23669 (757–727–
1154).
Limited hard copies of the Draft EA
are available, on a first request basis, by
contacting Mr. Tahu at the address or
telephone number indicated herein.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
George Tahu, Program Executive at the
Science Mission Directorate, NASA
Headquarters, telephone 202–358–0723
or via electronic mail at routinepayload-ea@lists.nasa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S. space
and Earth exploration is integral to
NASA’s strategic plan for carrying out
its mission. NASA is also committed to
the further development of advanced,
low-cost technologies for exploring and
utilizing space. To fulfill these
objectives, a continuing series of
scientific spacecraft would need to be
designed, built, and launched into Earth
orbit or towards other bodies in the
Solar System. These spacecraft would
flyby, encounter, orbit about, land on, or
impact with these Solar System bodies
to collect various scientific data that
would be transmitted to Earth via radio
for analysis. The scientific missions
associated with NASA routine payloads
could not be accomplished without
launching such scientific spacecraft.
The proposed action is comprised of
preparing and launching missions
designated as NASA routine payloads.
The design and operational
characteristics and, therefore, the
potential environmental impacts of
routine payloads would be rigorously
bounded. NASA routine payloads
would utilize materials, launch
vehicles, facilities, and operations that
are normally and customarily used at all
proposed launch sites. The routine
payloads would use these materials,
launch vehicles, facilities, and
operations only within the scope of
activities already approved or
permitted. The scope of this Draft EA
includes all spacecraft that would meet
specific criteria on their construction
and launch, would accomplish the
requirements of NASA’s research
objectives, and would not present new
or substantial environmental impacts or
hazards. These spacecraft would meet
the limitations set forth in the Routine
Payload Checklist, which was
developed to delimit the characteristics
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52695
and environmental impacts of this
group of spacecraft. Preparation and
launch of all spacecraft that are defined
as routine payloads would have
potential environmental impacts that
fall within the range of routine, ongoing,
and previously documented impacts
associated with approved missions that
have been determined not to be
significant. Alternative spacecraft
designs that exceed the limitations of
the Routine Payload Checklist may have
new or substantial environmental
impacts or hazards and would be
subjected to additional environmental
analysis. Foreign launch vehicles would
require individual consideration,
review, and separate environmental
analysis, and were not considered to be
reasonable alternatives for the purpose
of this NASA routine payload Draft EA.
The No-Action Alternative would mean
that specific criteria and thresholds
presented in the 2002 Final
Environmental Assessment for Launch
of NASA Routine Payloads on
Expendable Launch Vehicles from
CCAFS Florida and VAFB California
would be used to determine a
spacecraft’s eligibility to be considered
a NASA Routine Payload launching on
the Pegasus, Taurus, Atlas and Delta
families of the vehicles from CCAFS and
VAFB. The No-Action alternative would
mean that NASA would not launch
scientific and technology demonstration
spacecraft missions defined as routine
payloads on the Falcon and Minotaur
families of launch vehicles from any of
the launch sites, nor would NASA
launch payloads from USAKA, WFF, or
KLC, without individual mission NEPA
review and documentation.
If the No-Action alternative were
selected, NASA would revert to
publishing individual NEPA
documentation for each mission.
Duplicate analyses and redundant
documentation for spacecraft missions
that meet the limitations of the Routine
Payload Checklist, however, would not
present any new information or identify
any substantially different
environmental impacts.
The launch vehicles proposed for
launching the routine payload
spacecraft represent all presently or
soon to be available domestic (U.S.)
vehicles that would be suitable for
launching the routine payloads, would
likely be available, have documented
environmental impacts demonstrating
NEPA compliance, and would use either
existing launch facilities or launch
facilities for which environmental
impacts have been examined in NEPA
documents, or will be in the future. The
expendable launch vehicles specifically
included in this action include the
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52696
Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 163 / Tuesday, August 23, 2011 / Notices
following: the Athena I and II, Atlas V
family, the Delta family, the Falcon
family, the Minotaur family, the Pegasus
XL, and Taurus family. These launch
vehicles would accommodate the
desired range of payload masses, would
provide the needed trajectory
capabilities, and would provide highly
reliable launch services. Individual
launch vehicles would be carefully
matched to the launch requirements of
each particular NASA routine payload.
In the event that other launch vehicles
become available after final publication
of this Draft EA, they could be NEPA
compliant under this Draft EA if they
meet the following criteria: (1) NASA
has been a cooperating agency with the
Department of Defense (DoD) or FAA on
the launch vehicle for that given launch
site; (2) NASA has published NEPA
documentation for that specific launch
vehicle at that specific launch site; or (3)
NASA formally adopts another agency’s
NEPA documentation. In addition,
launch vehicles covered in this Draft EA
could be eligible for launch from
commercial spaceports or DoD
installations not covered by this
document if: (1) NASA is a cooperating
agency on the NEPA documents
developed by the DoD or FAA for that
site; (2) NASA formally adopts those
NEPA documents as its own pursuant to
CEQ regulations; or (3) NASA completes
its own NEPA documentation on a
specific launch site.
For the NASA routine payload
missions, the potentially affected
environment for normal launches
includes the areas at and in the vicinity
of the proposed launch sites, CCAFS,
Florida, VAFB, California, USAKA/RTS,
RMI, WFF, Virginia, and KLC, Alaska.
Because propellants are typically the
largest contributors to potential
environmental impacts of a NASA
Routine Payload launch, the total
propellant load for a payload is
considered in this Draft EA. If the
payload propellant load exceeds the
EPC defined in the Draft EA, then
additional NEPA analysis and
documentation would be required. For
normal launches of NASA routine
payloads under the proposed action, the
environmental impacts would be
associated principally with the exhaust
emissions from the launch vehicles.
These effects would include short-term
impacts on air quality within the
exhaust cloud and near the launch pads,
and the potential for acidic deposition
on the vegetation and surface water
bodies at and near each launch
complex, particularly if a rain storm
occurred. NASA routine payload
processing and launch activities would
not require any additional permits or
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mitigation measures beyond those
already existing, or in coordination, for
launches.
There are no direct or substantial
environmental impacts, including
cumulative impacts, associated with the
proposed action that have not already
been covered by NEPA documentation
for the existing launch sites, launch
vehicles, launch facilities, and payload
processing facilities.
Olga M. Dominguez,
Assistant Administrator for Strategic
Infrastructure.
[FR Doc. 2011–21419 Filed 8–22–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510–13–P
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND
SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice (11–077)]
Notice of Intent To Grant Partially
Exclusive License
National Aeronautics and
Space Administration.
ACTION: Notice of intent to grant
partially exclusive license.
AGENCY:
This notice is issued in
accordance with 35 U.S.C. 209(e) and 37
CFR 404.7(a)(1)(i). NASA hereby gives
notice of its intent to grant a partially
exclusive license in the United States to
practice the inventions described and
claimed in USPN 6,133,036,
Preservation of Liquid Biological
Samples, NASA Case No. MSC- 22616–
2 and USPN 6,716,392, Preservation of
Liquid Biological Samples, NASA Case
No. MSC- 22616–3 to Quest Diagnostics
Incorporated having its principal place
of business in Madison, New Jersey. The
patent rights in these inventions have
been assigned to the United States of
America as represented by the
Administrator of the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration.
The prospective partially exclusive
license will comply with the terms and
conditions of 35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR
404.7.
DATES: The prospective partially
exclusive license may be granted unless
within fifteen (15) days from the date of
this published notice, NASA receives
written objections including evidence
and argument that establish that the
grant of the license would not be
consistent with the requirements of
35 U.S.C. 209 and 37 CFR 404.7.
Competing applications completed and
received by NASA within fifteen (15)
days of the date of this published notice
will also be treated as objections to the
grant of the contemplated partially
exclusive license.
Objections submitted in response to
this notice will not be made available to
the public for inspection and, to the
extent permitted by law, will not be
released under the Freedom of
Information Act, 5 U.S.C. 552.
ADDRESSES: Objections relating to the
prospective license may be submitted to
Patent Counsel, Office of Chief Counsel,
NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101
NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058,
Mail Code AL; Phone (281) 483–3021;
Fax (281) 483–6936.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kurt
G. Hammerle, Intellectual Property
Attorney, Office of Chief Counsel,
NASA Johnson Space Center, 2101
NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058,
Mail Code AL; Phone (281) 483–1001;
Fax (281) 483–6936. Information about
other NASA inventions available for
licensing can be found online at
https://technology.nasa.gov/.
Dated: August 17, 2011.
Richard W. Sherman,
Deputy General Counsel.
[FR Doc. 2011–21417 Filed 8–22–11; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE P
SUMMARY:
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OFFICE OF NATIONAL DRUG
CONTROL POLICY
Paperwork Reduction Act; Proposed
Collection; Comment Request
Office of National Drug Control
Policy.
ACTION: 30-Day notice and request for
comments. New Information Collection
Request: Drug Free Communities
Support Program National Evaluation.
AGENCY:
The Office of National Drug
Control Policy (ONDCP) intends to
submit the following information
collection request to the Office of
Management and Budget for review and
approval under the Paperwork
Reduction Act.
DATES: ONDCP encourages and will
accept public comments until
September 22, 2011.
ADDRESSES: Address all comments in
writing within 30 days to Mr. Patrick
Fuchs. Facsimile and e-mail are the
most reliable means of communication.
Mr. Fuchs facsimile number is (202)
395–5167, and his e-mail address is
pfuchs@omb.eop.gov. Mailing address is
725 17th Street, NW., Washington DC
20503. For further information contact
Mr. Fuchs at (202) 395–3897.
Abstract: ONDCP directs the Drug
Free Communities (DFC) Program in
partnership with the Substance Abuse
and Mental Health Services
Administration’s Center for Substance
SUMMARY:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 163 (Tuesday, August 23, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52694-52696]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-21419]
=======================================================================
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice (11-076)]
National Environmental Policy Act: Launch of NASA Routine
Payloads on Expendable Launch Vehicles
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for comments on the draft
environmental assessment (``Draft EA'') for launch of NASA routine
payloads on expendable launch vehicles.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR parts 1500-1508), and NASA NEPA policy and
procedures (14 CFR part 1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA has prepared a Draft
EA for launch of NASA routine payloads on expendable launch vehicles.
For purposes of this Draft EA, NASA routine payloads include science
instruments, spacecraft or technology demonstrations. This EA updates
the Final Environmental Assessment for Launch of NASA Routine Payloads
on Expendable Launch Vehicles from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Florida and Vandenberg Air Force Base California published in June
2002. NASA missions covered by this Draft EA would be scheduled for
launch at one of the proposed launch sites and would be within the
total number of launch operations previously analyzed in launch vehicle
and launch site NEPA documents. The proposed launches would occur from
existing launch facilities at CCAFS, Florida, VAFB, California, the
United States Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site (USAKA/RTS) in the
Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI), NASA's Wallops Flight Facility
(WFF), Virginia, and the Kodiak Launch Complex (KLC), Alaska. The
Cooperating Agencies on this Draft EA include the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), the Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center,
the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Draft EA analyzes the potential environmental impacts
associated with preparing and implementing launches of missions that
are designated NASA routine payloads on U.S. expendable launch vehicles
from existing U.S. facilities using established procedures. The NASA
routine payloads meet rigorously defined criteria ensuring that the
spacecraft and their operation would not present any new or substantial
environmental and safety concerns. A Routine Payload Checklist is used
to exclude missions from consideration as routine payloads if they: (1)
Include any extraterrestrial sample return; (2) would be launched on a
vehicle or from a launch site for which NASA has not completed NEPA
compliance; (3) carry radioactive sources that could not be approved by
the NASA Office of Safety and Mission Assurance Nuclear Flight Safety
Assurance Manager or designee; (4) cause the manifested launch rate
(per year) for a particular launch vehicle to exceed the rate
previously approved and permitted at the launch sites; (5) require the
construction of any new facilities (or substantial modification of
existing facilities); (6) utilize hazardous materials in quantities
exceeding the Envelope Payload Characteristics (EPCs); (7) utilize
potentially hazardous material whose type or amount would not be
covered by new or existing local permits; (8) release material other
than propulsion system exhaust or inert gases into the atmosphere; (9)
suggest the potential for any substantial impact on public health and
safety not covered by this Draft EA; (10) have the potential for
substantial effects on the environment outside the United States; (11)
utilize an Earth-pointing laser system that does not meet the
requirements for safe operations according to American National
Standards Institute analysis techniques; (12) carry live or inactive
disease-causing biological agents beyond Biological Safety Level 1; or
(13) have the potential to create substantial public controversy
related to environmental issues.
Payloads that fall within the Routine Payload Checklist would
utilize materials, quantities of materials, launch vehicles, and
operational characteristics that are consistent with normal and routine
payload preparation and flight activities at these specified launch
sites. Therefore, the environmental impacts of launching routine
payloads would fall within the range of routine, ongoing, and
previously documented impacts associated with approved programs that
have been determined not to be significant. The purpose and need for
[[Page 52695]]
this proposed action is to fulfill NASA's mission for Earth
exploration, space exploration, technology development, and scientific
research. The scientific missions associated with NASA routine payloads
could not be accomplished without launching orbital and interplanetary
spacecraft.
DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on the Draft
EA in writing no later than 45 days from the date of publication of
this notice in the Federal Register.
ADDRESSES: Comments should be submitted via electronic mail to:
routine-payload-ea@lists.nasa.gov.
Comments may also be submitted via postal mail addressed to: George
Tahu, NASA Program Executive, Science Mission Directorate, Planetary
Science Division, Mail Stop 3V71, NASA Headquarters, 300 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20546.
The Draft EA is available for review at https://www.nasa.gov/green/nepa/routinepayloadea.html.
The Draft EA may also be reviewed at the following locations:
(a) NASA Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street, SW.,
Washington, DC 20546 (202-358-0167).
(b) Central Brevard Library and Reference Center, 308 Forrest Ave.,
Cocoa, FL 32922 (321-633-1792).
(c) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800
Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5179).
(d) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Visitor's Center, 8463 Greenbelt
Road, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-286-8981).
(e) Chincoteague Island Library, 4077 Main Street, Chincoteague, VA
23336 (757-336-3460).
(f) NASA WFF Technical Library, Building E-105, Wallops Island, VA
23337 (757-824-1065).
(g) Eastern Shore Public Library, 23610 Front Street, Accomac, VA
23301 (757-787-3400).
(h) Kodiak Library, 319 Lower Mill Bay Road, Kodiak, AK 99615 (907-
486-8680).
(i) NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (650-604-
3273).
(j) Grace Sherwood and Roi-Namur Libraries, P.O. Box 23, Kwajalein,
Marshall Islands APO, A.P. 96555. (805-355-2015).
(k) Alele Public Library, P.O. Box 629, Majuro, Republic of the
Marshall Islands 96960. (692-625-3372).
(l) Lompoc Public Library, 501 E. North Avenue, Lompoc, CA 93436
(850-875-8775).
(m) Santa Maria Public Library, 420 South Broadway, Santa Maria, CA
93454-5199 (805-925-0994).
(n) Government Information Center, Davidson Library, University of
California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010 (805-893-8803).
(o) Vandenberg Air Force Base Library, 100 Community Loop, Building
10343A, Vandenberg AFB, CA 93437 (805-606-6414).
(p) Hampton Library, 4207 Victoria Blvd., Hampton, VA 23669 (757-
727-1154).
Limited hard copies of the Draft EA are available, on a first
request basis, by contacting Mr. Tahu at the address or telephone
number indicated herein.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: George Tahu, Program Executive at the
Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, telephone 202-358-0723
or via electronic mail at routine-payload-ea@lists.nasa.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: U.S. space and Earth exploration is integral
to NASA's strategic plan for carrying out its mission. NASA is also
committed to the further development of advanced, low-cost technologies
for exploring and utilizing space. To fulfill these objectives, a
continuing series of scientific spacecraft would need to be designed,
built, and launched into Earth orbit or towards other bodies in the
Solar System. These spacecraft would flyby, encounter, orbit about,
land on, or impact with these Solar System bodies to collect various
scientific data that would be transmitted to Earth via radio for
analysis. The scientific missions associated with NASA routine payloads
could not be accomplished without launching such scientific spacecraft.
The proposed action is comprised of preparing and launching
missions designated as NASA routine payloads. The design and
operational characteristics and, therefore, the potential environmental
impacts of routine payloads would be rigorously bounded. NASA routine
payloads would utilize materials, launch vehicles, facilities, and
operations that are normally and customarily used at all proposed
launch sites. The routine payloads would use these materials, launch
vehicles, facilities, and operations only within the scope of
activities already approved or permitted. The scope of this Draft EA
includes all spacecraft that would meet specific criteria on their
construction and launch, would accomplish the requirements of NASA's
research objectives, and would not present new or substantial
environmental impacts or hazards. These spacecraft would meet the
limitations set forth in the Routine Payload Checklist, which was
developed to delimit the characteristics and environmental impacts of
this group of spacecraft. Preparation and launch of all spacecraft that
are defined as routine payloads would have potential environmental
impacts that fall within the range of routine, ongoing, and previously
documented impacts associated with approved missions that have been
determined not to be significant. Alternative spacecraft designs that
exceed the limitations of the Routine Payload Checklist may have new or
substantial environmental impacts or hazards and would be subjected to
additional environmental analysis. Foreign launch vehicles would
require individual consideration, review, and separate environmental
analysis, and were not considered to be reasonable alternatives for the
purpose of this NASA routine payload Draft EA. The No-Action
Alternative would mean that specific criteria and thresholds presented
in the 2002 Final Environmental Assessment for Launch of NASA Routine
Payloads on Expendable Launch Vehicles from CCAFS Florida and VAFB
California would be used to determine a spacecraft's eligibility to be
considered a NASA Routine Payload launching on the Pegasus, Taurus,
Atlas and Delta families of the vehicles from CCAFS and VAFB. The No-
Action alternative would mean that NASA would not launch scientific and
technology demonstration spacecraft missions defined as routine
payloads on the Falcon and Minotaur families of launch vehicles from
any of the launch sites, nor would NASA launch payloads from USAKA,
WFF, or KLC, without individual mission NEPA review and documentation.
If the No-Action alternative were selected, NASA would revert to
publishing individual NEPA documentation for each mission. Duplicate
analyses and redundant documentation for spacecraft missions that meet
the limitations of the Routine Payload Checklist, however, would not
present any new information or identify any substantially different
environmental impacts.
The launch vehicles proposed for launching the routine payload
spacecraft represent all presently or soon to be available domestic
(U.S.) vehicles that would be suitable for launching the routine
payloads, would likely be available, have documented environmental
impacts demonstrating NEPA compliance, and would use either existing
launch facilities or launch facilities for which environmental impacts
have been examined in NEPA documents, or will be in the future. The
expendable launch vehicles specifically included in this action include
the
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following: the Athena I and II, Atlas V family, the Delta family, the
Falcon family, the Minotaur family, the Pegasus XL, and Taurus family.
These launch vehicles would accommodate the desired range of payload
masses, would provide the needed trajectory capabilities, and would
provide highly reliable launch services. Individual launch vehicles
would be carefully matched to the launch requirements of each
particular NASA routine payload.
In the event that other launch vehicles become available after
final publication of this Draft EA, they could be NEPA compliant under
this Draft EA if they meet the following criteria: (1) NASA has been a
cooperating agency with the Department of Defense (DoD) or FAA on the
launch vehicle for that given launch site; (2) NASA has published NEPA
documentation for that specific launch vehicle at that specific launch
site; or (3) NASA formally adopts another agency's NEPA documentation.
In addition, launch vehicles covered in this Draft EA could be eligible
for launch from commercial spaceports or DoD installations not covered
by this document if: (1) NASA is a cooperating agency on the NEPA
documents developed by the DoD or FAA for that site; (2) NASA formally
adopts those NEPA documents as its own pursuant to CEQ regulations; or
(3) NASA completes its own NEPA documentation on a specific launch
site.
For the NASA routine payload missions, the potentially affected
environment for normal launches includes the areas at and in the
vicinity of the proposed launch sites, CCAFS, Florida, VAFB,
California, USAKA/RTS, RMI, WFF, Virginia, and KLC, Alaska. Because
propellants are typically the largest contributors to potential
environmental impacts of a NASA Routine Payload launch, the total
propellant load for a payload is considered in this Draft EA. If the
payload propellant load exceeds the EPC defined in the Draft EA, then
additional NEPA analysis and documentation would be required. For
normal launches of NASA routine payloads under the proposed action, the
environmental impacts would be associated principally with the exhaust
emissions from the launch vehicles. These effects would include short-
term impacts on air quality within the exhaust cloud and near the
launch pads, and the potential for acidic deposition on the vegetation
and surface water bodies at and near each launch complex, particularly
if a rain storm occurred. NASA routine payload processing and launch
activities would not require any additional permits or mitigation
measures beyond those already existing, or in coordination, for
launches.
There are no direct or substantial environmental impacts, including
cumulative impacts, associated with the proposed action that have not
already been covered by NEPA documentation for the existing launch
sites, launch vehicles, launch facilities, and payload processing
facilities.
Olga M. Dominguez,
Assistant Administrator for Strategic Infrastructure.
[FR Doc. 2011-21419 Filed 8-22-11; 8:45 am]
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