Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Midland International Air and Space Port, City of Midland, Midland County, Texas, 16093-16094 [2014-06360]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 56 / Monday, March 24, 2014 / Notices listings below, the following items were also presented or acted upon at the business meeting: (1) An informational presentation from Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission biologist Josh Tryninewski on efforts to restore migratory fish passage on the lower Susquehanna River; (2) approval of a rulemaking action to revise emergency water use provisions; (3) authorization to execute a memorandum of understanding with the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation regarding coordination of project review; (4) adoption of a final, revised FY–2015 budget; (5) ratification of a settlement agreement pertaining to Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) licensing of York Haven Hydroelectric project and authorization for Commission Executive Director to execute additional contemplated settlement agreements under FERC licensing procedures; (6) extension of an emergency certificate issued to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection; and (7) approval/ratification of two grants, one contract, and one agreement. WREIER-AVILES on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Compliance Matters The Commission approved settlements in lieu of civil penalty for the following projects: 1. Inflection Energy, LLC., Montoursville Borough Public Water Supply System, Montoursville Borough, Lycoming County, Pa.—$14,500. 2. Talisman Energy USA (Wappasening Creek), Windham Township, Bradford County, Pa.— $2,250. Project Applications Approved The Commission approved the following project applications: 1. Project Sponsor and Facility: Aqua Infrastructure, LLC (Tioga River), Hamilton Township, Tioga County, Pa. Surface water withdrawal of up to 1.500 mgd (peak day). 2. Project Sponsor and Facility: Chesapeake Appalachia, LLC (Susquehanna River), Great Bend Township, Susquehanna County, Pa. Renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.750 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20091201). 3. Project Sponsor and Facility: Keystone Clearwater Solutions, LLC (Lycoming Creek), Lewis Township, Lycoming County, Pa. Modification to low flow protection requirements and authorization of additional water uses of the surface water withdrawal approval (Docket No. 20110616). 4. Project Sponsor and Facility: Manheim Borough Authority, Manheim Borough, Lancaster County, Pa. Renewal VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:29 Mar 21, 2014 Jkt 232001 of groundwater withdrawal of up to 0.936 mgd (30-day average) from Well 4 (Docket No. 19830903). 5. Project Sponsor and Facility: Martinsburg Municipal Authority, North Woodbury Township, Blair County, Pa. Groundwater withdrawal of up to 0.288 mgd (30-day average) from Wineland Replacement Well 2. 6. Project Sponsor: Old Dominion Electric Cooperative. Project Facility: Rock Springs Expansion, Rising Sun District, Cecil County, Md. Consumptive water use of up to 7.900 mgd (peak day). 7. Project Sponsor and Facility: Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (Susquehanna River), Fulton Township, Lancaster County, Pa. Surface water withdrawal of up to 8.700 mgd (peak day). 8. Project Sponsor and Facility: Seneca Resources Corporation (Arnot No. 5 Mine Discharge), Bloss Township, Tioga County, Pa. Renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.499 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20090908). 9. Project Sponsor and Facility: SWEPI LP (Susquehanna River), Sheshequin Township, Bradford County, Pa. Renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.850 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20091202). 10. Project Sponsor and Facility: Talisman Energy USA Inc. (Fall Brook— C.O.P. Tioga State Forest), Ward Township, Tioga County, Pa. Renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20091204). 11. Project Sponsor and Facility: Talisman Energy USA Inc. (Fellows Creek—C.O.P. Tioga State Forest), Ward Township, Tioga County, Pa. Renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20091205). 12. Project Sponsor and Facility: XTO Energy, Inc. (Little Muncy Creek), Moreland Township, Lycoming County, Pa. Renewal of surface water withdrawal of up to 0.249 mgd (peak day) (Docket No. 20100313). Project Applications Tabled The Commission tabled action on the following project applications: 1. Project Sponsor and Facility: DS Waters of America, Inc., Clay Township, Lancaster County, Pa. Application for renewal of groundwater withdrawal of up to 0.115 mgd (30-day average) from Well 6 (Docket No. 20000203). 2. Project Sponsor and Facility: Jay Township Water Authority, Jay Township, Elk County, Pa. Application for groundwater withdrawal of up to 0.265 mgd (30-day average) from Brynedale Well #1. PO 00000 Frm 00161 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 16093 3. Project Sponsor and Facility: Newport Borough Water Authority, Oliver Township, Perry County, Pa. Application for groundwater withdrawal of up to 0.162 mgd (30-day average) from Well 1. 4. Project Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection—South-central Regional Office, City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa. Facility Location: Leacock Township, Lancaster County, Pa. Application for groundwater withdrawal of up to 0.576 mgd (30-day average) from Stoltzfus Well. 5. Project Sponsor: Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection—South-central Regional Office, City of Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pa. Facility Location: Leacock Township, Lancaster County, Pa. Application for groundwater withdrawal of up to 0.432 mgd (30-day average) from Township Well. 6. Project Sponsor and Facility: ProEnvironmental, LLC (Martins Creek), Lathrop Township, Susquehanna County, Pa. Application for surface water withdrawal of up to 0.999 mgd (peak day). 7. Project Sponsor and Facility: Susquehanna Gas Field Services, LLC (Susquehanna River), Meshoppen Township, Wyoming County, Pa. Application of surface water withdrawal of up to 2.000 mgd (peak day). Authority: Public Law 91–575, 84 Stat. 1509 et seq., 18 CFR parts 806, 807, and 808. Dated: March 17, 2014. Stephanie L. Richardson, Secretary to the Commission. [FR Doc. 2014–06322 Filed 3–21–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7040–01–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability and Request for Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for the Midland International Air and Space Port, City of Midland, Midland County, Texas Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT. ACTIONS: Notice of Availability, Notice of Public Comment Period, Notice of Public Meeting, and Request for Comment. AGENCY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), Council on SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1 WREIER-AVILES on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 16094 Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 56 / Monday, March 24, 2014 / Notices Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500–1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of and requesting comments on the Draft EA for the Midland International Air and Space Port, City of Midland, Midland County, Texas. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591; telephone (202) 267–5924; email FAAMidlandEA@icfi.com. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EA was prepared to analyze the potential environmental impacts of the City of Midland’s proposal to operate a commercial space launch site at the Midland International Airport (MAF) in Midland County, Texas and offer the site to XCOR Aerospace, Inc. (XCOR) for the operation of the Lynx horizontal take-off and horizontal landing reusable launch vehicle (RLV) and engine testing. To operate a commercial space launch site, the City of Midland must obtain a commercial space launch site operator license from the FAA. Under the Proposed Action addressed in the EA, the FAA would: (1) Issue a launch site operator license to the City of Midland for the operation of a commercial space launch site at MAF, (2) issue experimental permits and/or launch licenses to XCOR that would allow XCOR to conduct launches of the Lynx RLV from MAF, and (3) provide unconditional approval to modify the existing Airport Layout Plan (ALP) to reflect the designation of a launch site boundary, installation of aboveground propellant storage tanks, and construction of a concrete pad for engine testing. Proposed launch operations would begin in 2014 and continue through 2018. The frequency of launch operations would initially be one launch per week, eventually increasing to two launches per day, five days a week. Fifty-two annual launch operations are proposed in 2014. The total number of annual launch operations would increase each year until 2018 when 520 annual launch operations are proposed. The Draft EA addresses the potential environmental impacts of implementing the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue a launch site operator license to the City of Midland and thus would not issue experimental permits and/or launch licenses to XCOR for operation of the VerDate Mar<15>2010 14:29 Mar 21, 2014 Jkt 232001 Lynx RLV at MAF. Also, there would be no need to update the ALP for MAF, and thus there would be no approval of a revised ALP. Existing commercial aviation and military operations would continue at MAF. The impact categories considered in the Draft EA include air quality; compatible land use; Department of Transportation Act: Section 4(f); fish, wildlife, and plants; floodplains; hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and solid waste; historical, architectural, archaeological, and cultural resources; natural resources and energy supply; noise; socioeconomic impacts, environmental justice, and children’s environmental health and safety risks; water quality; and wetlands. The Draft EA also considers the potential cumulative environmental impacts. The FAA has posted the Draft EA on the FAA Web site at https://www.faa.gov/ about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/ documents_progress/. A paper copy of the Draft EA may be reviewed during regular business hours at the following libraries: • Midland County Library, 301 West Missouri Avenue, Midland, TX 79701 • Ector County Library, 321 W. 5th Street, Odessa, TX 79761 • Reagan County Library, 300 Courthouse Square, Big Lake, TX 76932 The FAA will hold an open house public meeting to solicit comments from the public concerning the scope and content of the Draft EA. • April 8, 2014, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., The University of Texas of the Permian Basin, Center for Energy & Economic Diversification (CEED), Foyer Room, 1400 N. FM 1788, Midland, TX 79707 The public will be able to speak to project representatives one-on-one and submit written comments or provide oral comments to a stenographer. DATES: The FAA encourages all interested parties to provide comments concerning the scope and content of the Draft EA. To ensure that all comments can be addressed in the Final EA, comments on the draft must be received by the FAA no later than April 21, 2014. Reviewers should organize their comments to be meaningful and inform the FAA of their interests and concerns by quoting or providing specific references to the text of the Draft EA. Matters that could have been raised with specificity during the comment period on the Draft EA may not be considered if they are raised for the first time later in the decision process. This PO 00000 Frm 00162 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 commenting procedure is intended to ensure that substantive comments and concerns are made available to the FAA in a timely manner so that the FAA has an opportunity to address them. ADDRESSES: Please submit comments in writing to Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591; or by email at FAAMidlandEA@icfi.com. Issued in Washington, DC on: March 18, 2014. Daniel Murray, Manager, Space Transportation Development Division. [FR Doc. 2014–06360 Filed 3–21–14; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Twenty-Third Meeting: RTCA Special Committee 216, Aeronautical Systems Security (Joint Meeting With EUROCAE WG–72) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Meeting Notice of RTCA Special Committee 216, Aeronautical Systems Security (Joint Meeting with EUROCAE WG–72). AGENCY: The FAA is issuing this notice to advise the public of the twenty-third meeting of RTCA Special Committee 216, Aeronautical Systems Security (Joint Meeting with EUROCAE WG–72). DATES: The meeting will be held April 8–9, 2014 from 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. but ending at 3:00 p.m. on the last day. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at RTCA Headquarters, 1150 18th Street NW., Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: You may contact the RTCA Secretariat, 1150 18th Street NW., Suite 910, Washington, DC 20036, or by telephone at (202) 833– 9339, fax at (202) 833–9434, or Web site https://www.rtca.org for directions. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92– 463, 5 U.S.C., App.), notice is hereby given for a meeting of Special Committee 216. This important plenary meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. on the first day and to finish by 5:00 p.m. on the last day. The main purpose of the meeting is to finalize disposition of any remaining public comments from the FRAC period on revised ED–202/DO–326 and ED– SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\24MRN1.SGM 24MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 56 (Monday, March 24, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16093-16094]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-06360]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability 
and Request for Comment on the Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) for 
the Midland International Air and Space Port, City of Midland, Midland 
County, Texas

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.

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

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

SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq.), Council on

[[Page 16094]]

Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 CFR Parts 1500-
1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E, Environmental Impacts: Policies and 
Procedures, Change 1, the FAA is announcing the availability of and 
requesting comments on the Draft EA for the Midland International Air 
and Space Port, City of Midland, Midland County, Texas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, Office of 
Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 
Independence Avenue SW., Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591; telephone 
(202) 267-5924; email FAAMidlandEA@icfi.com.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EA was prepared to analyze the 
potential environmental impacts of the City of Midland's proposal to 
operate a commercial space launch site at the Midland International 
Airport (MAF) in Midland County, Texas and offer the site to XCOR 
Aerospace, Inc. (XCOR) for the operation of the Lynx horizontal take-
off and horizontal landing reusable launch vehicle (RLV) and engine 
testing. To operate a commercial space launch site, the City of Midland 
must obtain a commercial space launch site operator license from the 
FAA. Under the Proposed Action addressed in the EA, the FAA would: (1) 
Issue a launch site operator license to the City of Midland for the 
operation of a commercial space launch site at MAF, (2) issue 
experimental permits and/or launch licenses to XCOR that would allow 
XCOR to conduct launches of the Lynx RLV from MAF, and (3) provide 
unconditional approval to modify the existing Airport Layout Plan (ALP) 
to reflect the designation of a launch site boundary, installation of 
aboveground propellant storage tanks, and construction of a concrete 
pad for engine testing. Proposed launch operations would begin in 2014 
and continue through 2018. The frequency of launch operations would 
initially be one launch per week, eventually increasing to two launches 
per day, five days a week. Fifty-two annual launch operations are 
proposed in 2014. The total number of annual launch operations would 
increase each year until 2018 when 520 annual launch operations are 
proposed.
    The Draft EA addresses the potential environmental impacts of 
implementing the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. Under 
the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue a launch site 
operator license to the City of Midland and thus would not issue 
experimental permits and/or launch licenses to XCOR for operation of 
the Lynx RLV at MAF. Also, there would be no need to update the ALP for 
MAF, and thus there would be no approval of a revised ALP. Existing 
commercial aviation and military operations would continue at MAF.
    The impact categories considered in the Draft EA include air 
quality; compatible land use; Department of Transportation Act: Section 
4(f); fish, wildlife, and plants; floodplains; hazardous materials, 
pollution prevention, and solid waste; historical, architectural, 
archaeological, and cultural resources; natural resources and energy 
supply; noise; socioeconomic impacts, environmental justice, and 
children's environmental health and safety risks; water quality; and 
wetlands. The Draft EA also considers the potential cumulative 
environmental impacts.
    The FAA has posted the Draft EA on the FAA Web site at https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/documents_progress/.
    A paper copy of the Draft EA may be reviewed during regular 
business hours at the following libraries:
 Midland County Library, 301 West Missouri Avenue, Midland, TX 
79701
 Ector County Library, 321 W. 5th Street, Odessa, TX 79761
 Reagan County Library, 300 Courthouse Square, Big Lake, TX 
76932
The FAA will hold an open house public meeting to solicit comments from 
the public concerning the scope and content of the Draft EA.
 April 8, 2014, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., The University of Texas 
of the Permian Basin, Center for Energy & Economic Diversification 
(CEED), Foyer Room, 1400 N. FM 1788, Midland, TX 79707
    The public will be able to speak to project representatives one-on-
one and submit written comments or provide oral comments to a 
stenographer.

DATES: The FAA encourages all interested parties to provide comments 
concerning the scope and content of the Draft EA. To ensure that all 
comments can be addressed in the Final EA, comments on the draft must 
be received by the FAA no later than April 21, 2014. Reviewers should 
organize their comments to be meaningful and inform the FAA of their 
interests and concerns by quoting or providing specific references to 
the text of the Draft EA. Matters that could have been raised with 
specificity during the comment period on the Draft EA may not be 
considered if they are raised for the first time later in the decision 
process. This commenting procedure is intended to ensure that 
substantive comments and concerns are made available to the FAA in a 
timely manner so that the FAA has an opportunity to address them.

ADDRESSES: Please submit comments in writing to Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, 
Office of Commercial Space Transportation, Federal Aviation 
Administration, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Suite 325, Washington, DC 
20591; or by email at FAAMidlandEA@icfi.com.

    Issued in Washington, DC on: March 18, 2014.
Daniel Murray,
Manager, Space Transportation Development Division.
[FR Doc. 2014-06360 Filed 3-21-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

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