National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission, 55762-55763 [2013-22116]

Download as PDF 55762 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 11, 2013 / Notices Average Time per Response: 42 minutes Estimated Total Burden Hours: 237 Frequency: On occasion Total Burden Cost (capital/startup): $0 Total Burden Cost (operating/ maintenance): $0 Comments submitted in response to this notice will be summarized and/or included in the request for Office of Management and Budget approval of the information collection request; they will also become a matter of public record. Dated: September 5, 2013. Yoon Ferguson, Agency Clearance Officer, Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, U.S. Department of Labor. [FR Doc. 2013–22125 Filed 9–10–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–CK–P NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice 13–111] National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission and to conduct scoping for the EIS. AGENCY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA) (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 policy and procedures (14 CFR part 1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA intends to conduct scoping and prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission. NASA is seeking input on environmental issues and concerns associated with the proposed action, as well as alternatives that should be addressed in the EIS. The mission would fly a near-duplicate of the Mars Science Laboratory mission’s rover, Curiosity, outfitted with new scientific instruments. The mission would be designed to seek signs of past life on Mars, collect and store a compelling set of soil and rock samples that could be returned to Earth in the future, and test new technology to benefit future robotic and human exploration of Mars. The Proposed Action is to continue preparation for and implement the Mars 2020 mission. The Mars 2020 mission would launch the spacecraft from the emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:50 Sep 10, 2013 Jkt 229001 Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Brevard County, Florida during the summer of 2020. NASA would select the launch vehicle for the mission through NASA’s launch services procurement process. There is a backup launch opportunity for the mission during the summer of 2022. The baseline mission plan would include the use of one multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) for rover electrical power and temperature control while on the surface of Mars. Some science instruments may require the use of small quantities of radioactive material for instrument calibration or for experimentation. Environmental impacts to be considered in the EIS are those impacts associated with a normal launch from CCAFS, and radiological and non-radiological risks associated with a potential launch accident. DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on environmental concerns in writing on or before October 30, 2013 to assure full consideration during the scoping process. NASA will conduct scoping meetings to solicit and collect comments on the scope of the Mars 2020 mission EIS as well as the Proposed Action in October 2013. ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. George Tahu, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, Mail Suite 3E46, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546–0001. Comments by electronic mail may be sent to mars2020nepa@lists.nasa.gov. Those persons requesting to receive a hard copy of the Mars 2020 Draft EIS should also provide a valid US Postal Service mailing address. Mr. George Tahu, by telephone at 202–358– 0016 or by electronic mail at mars2020nepa@lists.nasa.gov. Additional information is available at https://www.nasa.gov/agency/nepa/ mars2020eis. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NASA seeks to continue scientific investigations of Mars with a long-term landed mission to explore the planet’s surface. On April 12, 2005, in the Federal Register (70 FR 19102), NASA published the Notice of Availability for Final Programmatic EIS (PEIS) for the Mars Exploration Program (MEP). The Record of Decision (ROD) for the MEP PEIS was signed on June 22, 2005, enabling continued planning for the MEP, which represents NASA’s overall plans for the robotic exploration of Mars through 2020. The PEIS for the MEP encompasses the launch of at least one SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: PO 00000 Frm 00087 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 spacecraft to Mars during each favorable launch opportunity, which occurs approximately every 26 months. The Mars 2020 EIS will focus on reasonable alternatives to implement the purpose and need of the Mars 2020 mission and the potential environmental impacts associated with each. NASA’s proposed Mars 2020 mission would use the proven design and technology developed for the Mars Science Laboratory mission and rover (Curiosity) that arrived at Mars in August 2012. NASA would select a high priority, scientifically important landing site based upon data from past and current missions. The rover would be equipped with new scientific instrumentation that would: (a) Characterize the geological processes and history of an astrobiologically relevant ancient environment on Mars; (b) within the selected geological environment, assess the past habitability of the landing region and search for evidence of past life; (c) assemble a scientifically selected, well-documented, cache of samples for potential future return to the Earth; (d) further the preparation for future human exploration of Mars; and (e) demonstrate improved technical capabilities for landing and operating on the surface of Mars to benefit future Mars missions. It is anticipated that the electrical, thermal and operational requirements of the rover would require a radioisotope power source (MMRTG) using plutonium-238. This single MMRTG would provide adequate power to operate the rover, similar to the Mars Curiosity rover. Some of the waste heat from the MMRTG would be used for temperature control of the rover electronics, science instruments, and other sensitive components. Alternatives to the Proposed Action addressed in this EIS will include, but are not necessarily limited to, (1) the use of alternative sources of on-board power and heat (including solar energy); and (2) the No Action Alternative. The Mars 2020 EIS will address the purpose and need for the proposed Mars 2020 mission and the environmental impacts associated with its implementation. The environmental impacts of this mission are anticipated to be those associated with the normal launch of the mission. Potential consequences of accident situations will also be addressed. Environmental issues to be addressed will include, but not necessarily be limited to, air quality, water quality, flora and fauna, and potential radiological effects. NASA plans to hold two scoping meetings to receive comments on the E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM 11SEN1 Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 176 / Wednesday, September 11, 2013 / Notices DEIS regarding alternatives and environmental issues to be considered in the Draft EIS. The scoping meetings are scheduled as follows: 1. Cocoa Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at Cocoa Beach Country Club, 5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard, Cocoa Beach, FL 32931. 2. Viera, FL, Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 6:00–8:30 p.m. at Brevard County Government Center, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940. Written public input and comments on alternatives and potential environmental impacts and concerns associated with the proposed Mars 2020 mission are hereby requested. Calvin Williams, Director, Integrated Asset Management Division, Office Strategic Infrastructure. [FR Doc. 2013–22116 Filed 9–10–13; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510–13–P NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice 13–112] National Environmental Policy Act; Santa Susana Field Laboratory National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). ACTION: Notice of Extension of the Comment Period for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for Demolition and Environmental Cleanup Activities for the NASAadministered portion of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL), Ventura County, California. AGENCY: A Notice of Availability (NOA) for the DEIS for Demolition and Cleanup Activities for the NASAadministered portion of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory was published in the Federal Register by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on August 2, 2013, Vol. 78, No. 149, page 46940. NASA also published an NOA of the DEIS in the Federal Register on the same day (August 2, 2013, Vol. 78, No. 149, pages 47007–47009). The comment period for the DEIS was to end on September 16, 2013. This notice extends the comment period an additional fifteen days to October 1, 2013, to allow the public further time to comment on the DEIS. DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on environmental issues and concerns, preferably in writing by October 1, 2013. emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Mar<15>2010 16:50 Sep 10, 2013 Jkt 229001 Comments submitted by mail should be addressed to Allen Elliott, SSFL Project Director, NASA MSFC AS01, Building 4494, Huntsville, AL 35812. Comments may be submitted via email to msfc-ssfl-eis@ mail.nasa.gov. The DEIS may be reviewed at the following locations: 1. Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley, CA 93063, Web site: https:// simivalleylibrary.org/home/, Phone: (805) 526–1735 2. Platt Library, 23600 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91367, Web site: https://www.lapl.org/branches/ platt, Phone: (818) 340–9386 3. California State University, Northridge Oviatt Library, 18111 Nordhoff Street, 2nd Floor, Room 265, Northridge, CA 91330, Web site: https://library.csun.edu, Phone: (818) 677–2285 4. Department of Toxic Substances Control, 9211 Oakdale Avenue, Chatsworth, CA 91311, Web site: https://www.dtsc.ca.gov, Phone: (818) 717–6521 The DEIS is available on the internet in Adobe® portable document format at https://www.nasa.gov/agency/nepa/ news/SSFL.html. The Federal Register Notice of Intent to prepare the DEIS, issued in the Federal Register on July 6, 2011, is also available on the Internet at https:// ssfl.msfc.nasa.gov/public-involvement/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Allen Elliott, SSFL Project Director, by phone at (256) 544–0662 or by email at msfc-ssfl-eis@mail.nasa.gov. Additional information about NASA’s SSFL site, the proposed demolition and cleanup activities, and the associated EIS planning process and documentation (as available) may be found on the Internet at https://ssfl.msfc.nasa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: ADDRESSES: Decision To Be Made This DEIS informs NASA decision makers, regulating agencies, and the public of the potential environmental consequences of the proposed demolition of SSFL buildings and structures and the proposed technologies for groundwater and soil remediation, as implemented through the Proposed Action. This DEIS analyzes a range of remedial technologies that might be implemented to achieve the proposed groundwater and soil remediation goals. NASA will use the DEIS analysis to consider the potential environmental, economic, and social impacts from the Proposed Action. On the basis of the DEIS PO 00000 Frm 00088 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 55763 findings, NASA will issue a Record of Decision (ROD) documenting the findings. The ROD will further identify which buildings will be demolished to support disposition of the property, and which remedial technology(ies) would will be applied to meet the soil cleanup and groundwater quality goals. The purpose of this notice is to apprise interested agencies, organizations, tribal governments, and individuals of the availability of the DEIS and to invite comments on the document. NASA will hold public meetings as part of the DEIS review process. Site Description The SSFL site is 2,850 acres located in Ventura County, California, approximately seven miles northwest of Canoga Park and approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles. SSFL is composed of four areas known as Areas I, II, III, and IV and two unnumbered areas known as the ‘‘undeveloped land.’’ NASA administers 41.7 acres within Area I and all 409.5 acres of Area II. The Boeing Company manages the remaining 2,398.8 acres within Areas I, III, and IV, and the two undeveloped areas. Since the mid-1950s, when the two federally owned areas were owned by the U.S. Air Force, this site has been used for developing and testing rocket engines. Four test stand complexes were constructed in Area II between 1954 and 1957 named Alfa, Bravo, Coca, and Delta. Area II and the LOX Plant portion of Area I were acquired by NASA from the U.S. Air Force in the 1970s. These test stands and related ancillary structures have been found to have historical significance based on the historic importance of the engine testing and the engineering and design of the structures. The NASA-administered areas of SSFL also contain cultural resources not related to rocket development. SSFL is located near the crest of the Simi Hills that are part of the Santa Monica Mountains running east-west across Southern California. The diverse terrain consists of ridges, canyons, and sandstone rock outcrops. The region was occupied by Native Americans from the earliest Chumash, Tongva, and Tataviam cultures. NASA has conducted several previous surveys to locate archaeological and architectural resources within its portion of the SSFL. As a result, NASA has identified one historic property, the Burro Flats Painted Cave, that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), as well as multiple buildings and structures that are either E:\FR\FM\11SEN1.SGM 11SEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 176 (Wednesday, September 11, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 55762-55763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-22116]


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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 13-111]


National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare an environmental impact statement 
(EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission and to conduct scoping for the EIS.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as 
amended (NEPA) (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 policy and procedures (14 CFR 
part 1216 subpart 1216.3), NASA intends to conduct scoping and prepare 
an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission. NASA 
is seeking input on environmental issues and concerns associated with 
the proposed action, as well as alternatives that should be addressed 
in the EIS. The mission would fly a near-duplicate of the Mars Science 
Laboratory mission's rover, Curiosity, outfitted with new scientific 
instruments. The mission would be designed to seek signs of past life 
on Mars, collect and store a compelling set of soil and rock samples 
that could be returned to Earth in the future, and test new technology 
to benefit future robotic and human exploration of Mars.
    The Proposed Action is to continue preparation for and implement 
the Mars 2020 mission. The Mars 2020 mission would launch the 
spacecraft from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Brevard 
County, Florida during the summer of 2020. NASA would select the launch 
vehicle for the mission through NASA's launch services procurement 
process. There is a backup launch opportunity for the mission during 
the summer of 2022. The baseline mission plan would include the use of 
one multi-mission radioisotope thermoelectric generator (MMRTG) for 
rover electrical power and temperature control while on the surface of 
Mars. Some science instruments may require the use of small quantities 
of radioactive material for instrument calibration or for 
experimentation. Environmental impacts to be considered in the EIS are 
those impacts associated with a normal launch from CCAFS, and 
radiological and non-radiological risks associated with a potential 
launch accident.

DATES: Interested parties are invited to submit comments on 
environmental concerns in writing on or before October 30, 2013 to 
assure full consideration during the scoping process. NASA will conduct 
scoping meetings to solicit and collect comments on the scope of the 
Mars 2020 mission EIS as well as the Proposed Action in October 2013.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be addressed to Mr. George Tahu, 
Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, Mail Suite 
3E46, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001. Comments by 
electronic mail may be sent to mars2020-nepa@lists.nasa.gov. Those 
persons requesting to receive a hard copy of the Mars 2020 Draft EIS 
should also provide a valid US Postal Service mailing address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. George Tahu, by telephone at 202-
358-0016 or by electronic mail at mars2020-nepa@lists.nasa.gov.
    Additional information is available at https://www.nasa.gov/agency/nepa/mars2020eis.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA seeks to continue scientific 
investigations of Mars with a long-term landed mission to explore the 
planet's surface. On April 12, 2005, in the Federal Register (70 FR 
19102), NASA published the Notice of Availability for Final 
Programmatic EIS (PEIS) for the Mars Exploration Program (MEP). The 
Record of Decision (ROD) for the MEP PEIS was signed on June 22, 2005, 
enabling continued planning for the MEP, which represents NASA's 
overall plans for the robotic exploration of Mars through 2020. The 
PEIS for the MEP encompasses the launch of at least one spacecraft to 
Mars during each favorable launch opportunity, which occurs 
approximately every 26 months. The Mars 2020 EIS will focus on 
reasonable alternatives to implement the purpose and need of the Mars 
2020 mission and the potential environmental impacts associated with 
each.
    NASA's proposed Mars 2020 mission would use the proven design and 
technology developed for the Mars Science Laboratory mission and rover 
(Curiosity) that arrived at Mars in August 2012. NASA would select a 
high priority, scientifically important landing site based upon data 
from past and current missions.
    The rover would be equipped with new scientific instrumentation 
that would: (a) Characterize the geological processes and history of an 
astrobiologically relevant ancient environment on Mars; (b) within the 
selected geological environment, assess the past habitability of the 
landing region and search for evidence of past life; (c) assemble a 
scientifically selected, well-documented, cache of samples for 
potential future return to the Earth; (d) further the preparation for 
future human exploration of Mars; and (e) demonstrate improved 
technical capabilities for landing and operating on the surface of Mars 
to benefit future Mars missions.
    It is anticipated that the electrical, thermal and operational 
requirements of the rover would require a radioisotope power source 
(MMRTG) using plutonium-238. This single MMRTG would provide adequate 
power to operate the rover, similar to the Mars Curiosity rover. Some 
of the waste heat from the MMRTG would be used for temperature control 
of the rover electronics, science instruments, and other sensitive 
components. Alternatives to the Proposed Action addressed in this EIS 
will include, but are not necessarily limited to, (1) the use of 
alternative sources of on-board power and heat (including solar 
energy); and (2) the No Action Alternative. The Mars 2020 EIS will 
address the purpose and need for the proposed Mars 2020 mission and the 
environmental impacts associated with its implementation. The 
environmental impacts of this mission are anticipated to be those 
associated with the normal launch of the mission. Potential 
consequences of accident situations will also be addressed. 
Environmental issues to be addressed will include, but not necessarily 
be limited to, air quality, water quality, flora and fauna, and 
potential radiological effects.
    NASA plans to hold two scoping meetings to receive comments on the

[[Page 55763]]

DEIS regarding alternatives and environmental issues to be considered 
in the Draft EIS. The scoping meetings are scheduled as follows:

1. Cocoa Beach, FL, Wednesday, October 9, 2013 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at 
Cocoa Beach Country Club, 5000 Tom Warriner Boulevard, Cocoa Beach, FL 
32931.
2. Viera, FL, Thursday, October 10, 2013 from 6:00-8:30 p.m. at Brevard 
County Government Center, 2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 
32940.

    Written public input and comments on alternatives and potential 
environmental impacts and concerns associated with the proposed Mars 
2020 mission are hereby requested.

Calvin Williams,
Director, Integrated Asset Management Division, Office Strategic 
Infrastructure.
[FR Doc. 2013-22116 Filed 9-10-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7510-13-P
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