Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the SpaceX Texas Launch Site, 32805-32806 [2014-12985]
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 109 / Friday, June 6, 2014 / Notices
Council, requests expert review of the
draft World Ocean Assessment.
The United Nations (UN) has
embarked on a regular process for global
reporting on, and assessment of, the
state of the marine environment,
including socioeconomic aspects, the
product of which is called the World
Ocean Assessment (WOA). The
projected completion date for the first
WOA is December 2014. Subsequent
WOAs are expected to be generated
every five years in order to document
trends in the state of the marine
environment. The WOA includes more
than fifty subjects grouped within four
main themes: marine environment and
understanding of the ocean’s role in the
global integrated Earth system; food
security and food safety; human
activities that influence the ocean or are
influenced by the ocean; and marine
biological diversity. A scientific and
technical summary will integrate
content to show linkages through
interdisciplinary subjects such as
human impacts, ecosystem services, and
habitats. More information regarding the
evolution and methodology of the WOA
can be found at
www.worldoceanassessment.org.
This fall, UN Member States will have
an opportunity to review the draft
WOA, which is expected to be
comprised of 50 chapters
(approximately 15 pages each) and a 70page technical summary; the outline
illustrates the very wide range of
expertise needed for such review. The
Department of State invites experts in
relevant fields of expertise to participate
in the U.S. Government review of the
draft WOA. Beginning on 1 August
2014, experts may register to review the
draft WOA at review.globalchange.gov, a
Web-based review and comment system.
Registered experts will have access to
the draft WOA on 2 September 2014 and
will have until midnight 30 September
2014 to submit their review comments
using the Web-based review and
comment system. Detailed instructions
for review and submission of comments
are available at review.globalchange.gov.
A Review Coordination Team
comprised of Federal scientists and
program managers will develop a
consolidated U.S. Government review
submission. Only comments received
via the Web-based review and comment
system within the comment period will
be considered by the Review
Coordination Team for inclusion in the
U.S. Government review submission.
This certification will be published in
the Federal Register.
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:59 Jun 05, 2014
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Dated: June 2, 2014.
Evan T. Bloom,
Director, Office of Ocean and Polar Affairs,
U.S. Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2014–13224 Filed 6–5–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710–09–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of Commercial Space
Transportation; Notice of Availability
of the Final Environmental Impact
Statement for the SpaceX Texas
Launch Site
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
AGENCY:
In accordance with the
National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United
States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.),
Council on Environmental Quality
NEPA implementing regulations (40
Code of Federal Regulations parts 1500
to 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E,
Change 1, the FAA, Office of
Commercial Space Transportation is
announcing the availability of the Final
Environmental Impact Statement for the
SpaceX Texas Launch Site (Final EIS).
This Final EIS is also submitted
pursuant to the following public law
requirements: Section 4(f) of the
Department of Transportation Act (49
U.S.C. Section 303); Section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (16
U.S.C. 470); Executive Order 11988,
Floodplain Management; DOT Order
5650.2, Floodplain Management and
Protection; Executive Order 11990,
Protection of Wetlands; and DOT Order
5660.1A, Preservation of the Nation’s
Wetlands. This Final EIS includes the
FAA’s determination of de minimis
impacts to Section 4(f) property under
23 CFR 771.135. The Proposed Action
would include a significant
encroachment on floodplains per DOT
Order 5650.2, Floodplain Management
and Protection.
The FAA submitted the Final EIS to
the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA). The EPA will post a
separate notification in the Federal
Register announcing the availability of
the Final EIS. The FAA will issue a
Record of Decision no sooner than 30
days following EPA’s notice in the
Federal Register. The Record of
Decision will be published in the
Federal Register.
An electronic version of the Final EIS
is available on the FAA Web site: https://
SUMMARY:
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32805
www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
headquarters_offices/ast/
environmental/nepa_docs/review/
documents_progress/spacex_texas_
launch_site_environmental_impact_
statement/. In addition, copies of the
Final EIS were sent to persons and
agencies on the distribution list (found
in Chapter 11 of the Final EIS). A paper
copy and an electronic version of the
Final EIS may be reviewed during
regular business hours at the following
Brownsville, Texas, locations:
• Brownsville Public Library Main
Branch, 2600 Central Blvd.
• Southmost Branch Library, 4320
Southmost Blvd.
• University of Texas at Brownsville,
Oliveira Library, 80 Fort Brown St.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms.
Stacey M. Zee, Environmental
Specialist, Federal Aviation
Administration, Office of Commercial
Space Transportation, 800
Independence Avenue SW., Suite 325,
Washington, DC 20591; email
Stacey.Zee@faa.gov; or phone (202)
267–9305.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final
EIS for the proposed Space Exploration
Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Texas
Launch Site evaluates the potential
environmental impacts that may result
from the FAA Proposed Action of
issuing launch licenses and/or
experimental permits that would allow
SpaceX to launch the Falcon 9, Falcon
Heavy, and a variety of reusable
suborbital launch vehicles from a
launch site on privately owned property
in Cameron County, Texas. SpaceX
would be required to apply to the FAA
for the appropriate launch licenses and/
or experimental permits. Under the
Proposed Action, which is the Preferred
Alternative, SpaceX proposes to
construct a vertical launch area and a
control center area to support up to 12
commercial launch operations per year
with a maximum of two Falcon Heavy
launches. Launch operations include
not only launches, but also pre-flight
activities such as mission rehearsals and
static fire engine tests. The
environmental analysis in the EIS
focuses on proposed construction and
operational activities associated with
the FAA’s Proposed Action (issuing
launch licenses and/or experimental
permits to SpaceX) and includes all
related actions considered connected to
the Proposed Action. Alternatives under
consideration include the Proposed
Action and the No Action Alternative.
Under the No Action Alternative, the
FAA would not issue licenses and/or
experimental permits to SpaceX, and
Space X would not construct the
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06JNN1
wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
32806
Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 109 / Friday, June 6, 2014 / Notices
proposed control center and vertical
launch areas.
As part of the Proposed Action,
SpaceX plans to construct facilities,
structures, and utility connections in
order to support the launch of the
Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch
vehicles. The facilities would be located
in two areas: vertical launch area and
control center area. The proposed
vertical launch area site is currently
undeveloped and is located directly
adjacent to the eastern terminus of
Texas State Highway 4 (Boca Chica
Boulevard) and approximately 3 miles
north of the Mexican border on the Gulf
Coast. It is located approximately 5
miles south of Port Isabel and South
Padre Island. At the vertical launch
area, the new facilities required would
include an integration and processing
hangar, a launch pad and stand with its
associated flame duct, a water tower, a
retention basin for deluge water,
propellant storage and handling areas, a
workshop and office area, and a
warehouse for parts storage.
The command and control functions
for a launch are required to be
conducted at a safe separation distance
from the actual launch pad. The control
center area would be located inland,
approximately 2 miles west of the
vertical launch area and would include
control center buildings, payload
processing facilities, a launch vehicle
processing hangar, generators and diesel
storage facilities, and a satellite fuels
storage facility. All facilities would be
constructed through private funding, on
currently undeveloped private property
that would be purchased or leased by
SpaceX. New underground power lines
would be installed in the State Highway
4 Right-of-Way from the control center
area to the vertical launch area. In
addition, existing power lines that lead
to Boca Chica Village would need to be
upgraded. During this upgrade, the lines
that are currently underground would
remain underground, and lines that are
currently aboveground would remain
above ground.
Operations would consist of up to 12
launch operations per year with a
maximum of two Falcon Heavy
launches. All Falcon 9 and Falcon
Heavy launches would be expected to
have commercial payloads, including
satellites or experimental payloads. In
addition to standard payloads, the
Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy may also
carry a capsule, such as the SpaceX
Dragon capsule. All launch trajectories
would be to the east over the Gulf of
Mexico.
The Final EIS evaluates the direct,
indirect, and cumulative environmental
effects of the Proposed Action and No
VerDate Mar<15>2010
13:59 Jun 05, 2014
Jkt 232001
Action Alternative on environmental
impact categories, including compatible
land use (including farmlands and
coastal resources); Section 4(f)
properties; noise; light emissions and
visual impacts; historical, architectural,
archaeological, and cultural resources;
air quality; water resources (including
wetlands, floodplains, surface waters,
groundwater, and wild and scenic
rivers); biological resources (fish,
wildlife, and plants); hazardous
materials, pollution prevention, and
solid waste; socioeconomics,
environmental justice, and children’s
environmental health risks and safety
risks; energy supply and natural
resources; and secondary (induced)
impacts. Additional resources were also
considered including airspace, health
and safety, and ground traffic and
transportation.
Issued in Washington, DC on May 27,
2014.
Daniel Murray,
Manager, Space Transportation Development
Division.
[FR Doc. 2014–12985 Filed 6–5–14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
[Summary Notice No. PE–2014–33 ]
Petition for Exemption; Summary of
Petition Received
Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of petition for exemption
received.
AGENCY:
This notice contains a
summary of a petition seeking relief
from specified requirements of Title 14,
Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR).
The purpose of this notice is to improve
the public’s awareness of, and
participation in, this aspect of the FAA’s
regulatory activities. Neither publication
of this notice nor the inclusion or
omission of information in the summary
is intended to affect the legal status of
the petition or its final disposition.
DATES: Comments on this petition must
identify the petition docket number
involved and must be received on or
before June 26, 2014.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments
identified by docket number FAA–
2014–0101 using any of the following
methods:
• Government-wide rulemaking Web
site: Go to https://www.regulations.gov
and follow the instructions for sending
your comments digitally.
SUMMARY:
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
• Mail: Send comments to the Docket
Management Facility; U.S. Department
of Transportation, 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., West Building Ground
Floor, Room W12–140, Washington, DC
20590.
• Fax: Fax comments to the Docket
Management Facility at 202–493–2251.
• Hand Delivery: Bring comments to
the Docket Management Facility in
Room W12–140 of the West Building
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
Privacy: We will post all comments
we receive, without change, to https://
www.regulations.gov, including any
personal information you provide.
Using the search function of our docket
Web site, anyone can find and read the
comments received into any of our
dockets, including the name of the
individual sending the comment (or
signing the comment for an association,
business, labor union, etc.). You may
review the DOT’s complete Privacy Act
Statement in the Federal Register
published on April 11, 2000 (65 FR
19477–78).
Docket: To read background
documents or comments received, go to
https://www.regulations.gov at any time
or to the Docket Management Facility in
Room W12–140 of the West Building
Ground Floor at 1200 New Jersey
Avenue SE., Washington, DC, between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through
Friday, except Federal holidays.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mark Forseth, ANM–113, Federal
Aviation Administration, 1601 Lind
Avenue SW., Renton, WA 98057–3356,
email mark.forseth@faa.gov, phone
(425) 227–2796; or Sandra Long, ARM–
201, Office of Rulemaking, Federal
Aviation Administration, 800
Independence Avenue SW.,
Washington, DC 20591, email
sandra.long@faa.gov, phone (202) 267–
4714.
This notice is published pursuant to
14 CFR 11.85.
Issued in Washington, DC, on June 3, 2014.
Lirio Liu,
Director, Office of Rulemaking.
Petition for Exemption
Docket No.: FAA–2014–0101
Petitioner: FedEx Express
Section of 14 CFR Affected
§§ 25.785(j), 25.812(e), 25.857(e), and
25.1447(c)(2)(i)
Description of Relief Sought
The petition seeks an exemption for relief
to allow carriage of up to two (2) off-duty
flightcrew members in a Crew Rest Module
E:\FR\FM\06JNN1.SGM
06JNN1
Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 109 (Friday, June 6, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 32805-32806]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-12985]
=======================================================================
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability
of the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the SpaceX Texas Launch
Site
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of Availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United States Code [U.S.C.] 4321 et seq.),
Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 Code
of Federal Regulations parts 1500 to 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1E,
Change 1, the FAA, Office of Commercial Space Transportation is
announcing the availability of the Final Environmental Impact Statement
for the SpaceX Texas Launch Site (Final EIS). This Final EIS is also
submitted pursuant to the following public law requirements: Section
4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act (49 U.S.C. Section 303);
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (16 U.S.C. 470);
Executive Order 11988, Floodplain Management; DOT Order 5650.2,
Floodplain Management and Protection; Executive Order 11990, Protection
of Wetlands; and DOT Order 5660.1A, Preservation of the Nation's
Wetlands. This Final EIS includes the FAA's determination of de minimis
impacts to Section 4(f) property under 23 CFR 771.135. The Proposed
Action would include a significant encroachment on floodplains per DOT
Order 5650.2, Floodplain Management and Protection.
The FAA submitted the Final EIS to the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA will post a separate notification in
the Federal Register announcing the availability of the Final EIS. The
FAA will issue a Record of Decision no sooner than 30 days following
EPA's notice in the Federal Register. The Record of Decision will be
published in the Federal Register.
An electronic version of the Final EIS is available on the FAA Web
site: https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/documents_progress/spacex_texas_launch_site_environmental_impact_statement/. In addition, copies of
the Final EIS were sent to persons and agencies on the distribution
list (found in Chapter 11 of the Final EIS). A paper copy and an
electronic version of the Final EIS may be reviewed during regular
business hours at the following Brownsville, Texas, locations:
Brownsville Public Library Main Branch, 2600 Central Blvd.
Southmost Branch Library, 4320 Southmost Blvd.
University of Texas at Brownsville, Oliveira Library, 80
Fort Brown St.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Stacey M. Zee, Environmental
Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Commercial Space
Transportation, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Suite 325, Washington, DC
20591; email Stacey.Zee@faa.gov; or phone (202) 267-9305.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Final EIS for the proposed Space
Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Texas Launch Site evaluates the
potential environmental impacts that may result from the FAA Proposed
Action of issuing launch licenses and/or experimental permits that
would allow SpaceX to launch the Falcon 9, Falcon Heavy, and a variety
of reusable suborbital launch vehicles from a launch site on privately
owned property in Cameron County, Texas. SpaceX would be required to
apply to the FAA for the appropriate launch licenses and/or
experimental permits. Under the Proposed Action, which is the Preferred
Alternative, SpaceX proposes to construct a vertical launch area and a
control center area to support up to 12 commercial launch operations
per year with a maximum of two Falcon Heavy launches. Launch operations
include not only launches, but also pre-flight activities such as
mission rehearsals and static fire engine tests. The environmental
analysis in the EIS focuses on proposed construction and operational
activities associated with the FAA's Proposed Action (issuing launch
licenses and/or experimental permits to SpaceX) and includes all
related actions considered connected to the Proposed Action.
Alternatives under consideration include the Proposed Action and the No
Action Alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not
issue licenses and/or experimental permits to SpaceX, and Space X would
not construct the
[[Page 32806]]
proposed control center and vertical launch areas.
As part of the Proposed Action, SpaceX plans to construct
facilities, structures, and utility connections in order to support the
launch of the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy launch vehicles. The facilities
would be located in two areas: vertical launch area and control center
area. The proposed vertical launch area site is currently undeveloped
and is located directly adjacent to the eastern terminus of Texas State
Highway 4 (Boca Chica Boulevard) and approximately 3 miles north of the
Mexican border on the Gulf Coast. It is located approximately 5 miles
south of Port Isabel and South Padre Island. At the vertical launch
area, the new facilities required would include an integration and
processing hangar, a launch pad and stand with its associated flame
duct, a water tower, a retention basin for deluge water, propellant
storage and handling areas, a workshop and office area, and a warehouse
for parts storage.
The command and control functions for a launch are required to be
conducted at a safe separation distance from the actual launch pad. The
control center area would be located inland, approximately 2 miles west
of the vertical launch area and would include control center buildings,
payload processing facilities, a launch vehicle processing hangar,
generators and diesel storage facilities, and a satellite fuels storage
facility. All facilities would be constructed through private funding,
on currently undeveloped private property that would be purchased or
leased by SpaceX. New underground power lines would be installed in the
State Highway 4 Right-of-Way from the control center area to the
vertical launch area. In addition, existing power lines that lead to
Boca Chica Village would need to be upgraded. During this upgrade, the
lines that are currently underground would remain underground, and
lines that are currently aboveground would remain above ground.
Operations would consist of up to 12 launch operations per year
with a maximum of two Falcon Heavy launches. All Falcon 9 and Falcon
Heavy launches would be expected to have commercial payloads, including
satellites or experimental payloads. In addition to standard payloads,
the Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy may also carry a capsule, such as the
SpaceX Dragon capsule. All launch trajectories would be to the east
over the Gulf of Mexico.
The Final EIS evaluates the direct, indirect, and cumulative
environmental effects of the Proposed Action and No Action Alternative
on environmental impact categories, including compatible land use
(including farmlands and coastal resources); Section 4(f) properties;
noise; light emissions and visual impacts; historical, architectural,
archaeological, and cultural resources; air quality; water resources
(including wetlands, floodplains, surface waters, groundwater, and wild
and scenic rivers); biological resources (fish, wildlife, and plants);
hazardous materials, pollution prevention, and solid waste;
socioeconomics, environmental justice, and children's environmental
health risks and safety risks; energy supply and natural resources; and
secondary (induced) impacts. Additional resources were also considered
including airspace, health and safety, and ground traffic and
transportation.
Issued in Washington, DC on May 27, 2014.
Daniel Murray,
Manager, Space Transportation Development Division.
[FR Doc. 2014-12985 Filed 6-5-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P