National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission, 57491-57492 [2019-23363]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 207 / Friday, October 25, 2019 / Notices administered portion of SSFL. NASA has identified the Burro Flats Cultural District, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), as well as other various archeological sites, buildings, and structures that are either individually eligible for listing on the NRHP or are elements of NRHP-eligible historic districts containing multiple architectural resources. In 2014, NASA entered into a Programmatic Agreement with the California State Historic Preservation Officer, the Advisory Council for Historic Preservation, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians. The Programmatic Agreement stipulates the cultural resource management measures that must be implemented before, during, and after all cleanup activities. Environmental Commitments and Associated Environmental Review: Rocket engine testing has been discontinued at these sites and the property has been excessed to the General Services Administration (GSA). GSA has conditionally accepted the Report of Excess pending certain environmental cleanup requirements are met. In 2007, a Consent Order among NASA, Boeing, the U.S. Department of Energy, and DTSC was signed addressing demolition of certain infrastructure and environmental cleanup of SSFL. NASA entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) for Remedial Action with DTSC on December 6, 2010, ‘‘to further define and make more specific NASA’s obligations with respect to the cleanup of soils at the Site.’’ Based on the 2010 Order, NASA is required to complete a federal environmental review pursuant to NEPA and NASA Procedural Requirement (NPR) 8580.1. NASA completed an FEIS for demolition of site infrastructure, soil cleanup, and groundwater remediation within Area II and a portion of Area I (former LOX Plant) of SSFL on March 14, 2014 (79 FR 14545). NASA subsequently issued a Record of Decision (ROD) for building demolition on April 25, 2014. A ROD for groundwater cleanup was published in the Federal Register on October 17, 2018. This Draft SEIS has been prepared by NASA for soil cleanup within its administered portion of SSFL. Alternatives: NASA is committed to achieving an environmental cleanup that is protective of public health and the environment and the stewardship of the site’s natural and cultural resources. The Draft SEIS considers the following range of alternatives that meet NASA’s objectives to clean up soil at the portion of the SSFL site administered by NASA. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:04 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 250001 • Alternative A: Soil Cleanup to AOC Look Up Table (LUT) Values (similar to the Proposed Action from the 2014 FEIS with the impacts of increased soil volumes considered) • Alternative B: Soil Cleanup to Revised AOC LUT Values (revisions to LUT values reflect standard California Water Board and California Human Health screening values) • Alternative C: Soil Cleanup to Suburban Residential Cleanup Goals (based on the DTSC-approved Standardized Risk Assessment Methodology (SRAM) Revision 2 Addendum, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) risk assessment guidelines for residential land use, and California Environmental Protection Agency (Cal EPA) risk assessment guidance) • Alternative D: Soil Cleanup to Recreational Cleanup Goals (based on DTSC-approved SRAM Revision 2 Addendum, EPA risk assessment guidelines for recreational land use, and Cal EPA risk assessment guidance) A No Action alternative, which is required per 40 CFR part 1500, was also included in the analysis, though it would not meet the cleanup goals. Public Meetings: NASA plans to hold two public meetings to receive comments on the Draft SEIS regarding alternatives and environmental issues to be considered in the Final SEIS. The public meetings are scheduled as follows: 1. Best Western Posada Royale, Wednesday, November 20th, 2019 from 6:30–8:30 p.m., 1775 Madera Road, Simi Valley, CA 93065 2. Corporate Pointe at West Hill, Thursday, November 21st, 2019 from 6:30–8:30 p.m., 8411 Fallbrook Avenue, West Hills, CA 91304 NASA will consider all comments received in developing its Final SEIS; comments received and responses to comments will be included in the Final document. In conclusion, written public input on environmental issues and concerns associated with NASA’s cleanup of SSFL are hereby requested. Calvin F. Williams, Assistant Administrator, Office of Strategic Infrastructure. [FR Doc. 2019–23364 Filed 10–24–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510–13–P PO 00000 Frm 00110 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 57491 NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [NOTICE: (19–073)] National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission National Aeronautics and Space Administration. ACTION: Notice of availability for the Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (Supplemental EIS) for implementation of the Mars 2020 mission. AGENCY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and NASA’s procedures for implementing NEPA, NASA announces the availability of the Draft supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for the Mars 2020 Mission (Supplemental EIS) for public review and comment. The Draft Supplemental EIS provides updated information related to the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Mars 2020 mission. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mr. George Tahu by electronic mail at mars2020-nepa@lists.nasa.gov or by telephone at 202–358–0016. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The updated information is pertinent to the consequence and risk analyses of potential accidents which could occur during the launch phases of the mission. Although the probability of such accidents occurring is extremely small, it is possible that under certain conditions an accident could result in a release of plutonium dioxide from the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator (MMRTG) into the environment. The MMRTG is a critical component of the Mars 2020 rover; it would enable the Mars 2020 rover mission to undertake a much broader scope of scientific discovery by providing a continuous supply of electrical power and temperature control to the Mars 2020 rover while on the surface of Mars. The Mars 2020 mission would launch the spacecraft onboard an Atlas V launch vehicle from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Brevard County, Florida during the summer of 2020. Additional information about the mission may be found on the internet at: https:// mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/. NASA encourages all interested parties to provide comments concerning the scope and content of the Draft Supplemental EIS by December 10, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM 25OCN1 57492 Federal Register / Vol. 84, No. 207 / Friday, October 25, 2019 / Notices 2019. The Draft Supplemental EIS is available in local libraries or for download on the internet at: https:// www.nasa.gov/feature/nepa-mars-2020mission. NASA will also hold the following public meetings to solicit comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS: November 13, 2019; 6 p.m.–9 p.m.: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953. November 14, 2019; 2 p.m.–5 p.m.: Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 Clearlake Rd., Cocoa, FL 32922. November 15, 2019; 1 p.m.–3 p.m.: VIRTUAL meeting online at https:// go.nasa.gov/SEIS-meeting. At the meetings, NASA will describe the environmental review process, discuss the proposed action and the updated environmental analysis presented in the Draft Supplemental EIS, and provide the public an opportunity to offer comments. The meetings on November 13 and November 14 will begin with an openhouse format for the first hour followed by a 20-minute formal presentation. After the formal presentation, there will be a public comment period in which members of the public may provide up to a three-minute statement. Written comments will also be collected throughout the meetings. The meeting on November 15 will be a virtual meeting held at https:// go.nasa.gov/SEIS-meeting. A formal presentation will be given between 1:00 p.m.–1:20 p.m., thereafter attendees may then use the commenting feature to submit comments until 3 pm. NASA will accept comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS until the expiration of the comment period on December 10, 2019. All comments NASA receives will be considered and responded to in the Final Supplemental EIS. Comments may be submitted at any of the public meetings, by electronic mail at mars2020-nepa@lists.nasa.gov, by telephone at 202–358–0016, or in writing to Mr. George Tahu, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, Mail Suite 3E46, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546– 0001. Before including your address, phone number, email address, or other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that your entire comment—including your personal identifying information—may be publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:04 Oct 24, 2019 Jkt 250001 NASA’s proposed Mars 2020 mission would use the proven design and technology developed for the Mars Science Laboratory mission and rover (Curiosity) that launched from CCAFS in November 2011 and arrived at Mars in August 2012. NASA has selected a high priority, scientifically important landing site based upon data from past and current missions. The rover is 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, welldocumented, 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. On September 11, 2013, NASA issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission. NASA prepared the EIS and issued the Final in November 2014. NASA evaluated several alternatives related to the Mars 2020 rover’s power source. NASA identified use of the MMRTG as its preferred alternative to meet the mission’s electrical, thermal, and operational requirements. Waste heat from the MMRTG would be used for temperature control of the rover electronics, science instruments, and other sensitive components. The MMRTG is identical to the power supply that has been used with success on the Mars Curiosity rover. Alternatives to the Proposed Action addressed in the 2014 Final EIS included: (1) The use of alternative sources of on-board power and heat (including solar energy); and (2) the No Action Alternative. The 2014 Mars 2020 Final EIS also addressed the purpose and need for the proposed Mars 2020 mission and the environmental impacts associated with its implementation. The environmental impacts associated with the normal launch of the mission were addressed, as were the potential consequences of launch related accidents. NASA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the Mars 2020 mission on January 27, 2015. The ROD adopted Alternative 1 as the preferred alternative. Alternative 1 required NASA to complete preparation for and implement the proposed Mars 2020 mission during July–August 2020, or PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 during the next available launch opportunity in August through September 2022, and to operate the mission using a MMRTG that would continually provide heat and electrical power to the rover’s battery. Since 2015, NASA has significantly advanced preparations for the Mars 2020 mission and selected the Atlas V as the launch vehicle. The Mars 2020 Final EIS discussed Incomplete and Unavailable Information which would be addressed in the future through more detailed risk analyses conducted as part of NASA’s and the Department of Energy’s (DOE) ongoing radiological safety review programs. These analyses were completed in 2019 and accounted for the Atlas V as the chosen launch vehicle (that was selected on August 25, 2016, after the Mars 2020 Record of Decision on January 27, 2015), up-to-date safety test information, and updated analytical models. NASA policy for implementation of NEPA is found in NASA Procedural Requirements 8580.1A (NPR). The NPR requires preparation of a supplemental NEPA document when significant new information relevant to environmental concerns that bear on the proposed action or its impacts is discovered. Since NASA issued the 2014 Final EIS and 2015 ROD, the updated results from the risk and consequence modeling have become available for NASA’s consideration. NASA has determined that the purposes of NEPA will be furthered by preparation and issuance of a Supplemental EIS. Calvin F. Williams, Associate Administrator, Office of Strategic Infrastructure, Mission Support Directorate. [FR Doc. 2019–23363 Filed 10–24–19; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510–13–P NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION Notice of Antarctic Meteorite Collection, Documentation, and Curation Plan Received Under the Antarctic Conservation Act of 1978 National Science Foundation. Notice of Antarctic Meteorite Collection, Documentation, and Curation Plan received. AGENCY: ACTION: On March 31, 2003, the National Science Foundation (NSF) issued a final rule that authorized the collection of meteorites in Antarctica for scientific purposes only. In addition, the regulations provide requirements for appropriate collection, handling, documentation, and curation of Antarctic meteorites to preserve their SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\25OCN1.SGM 25OCN1

Agencies

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 207 (Friday, October 25, 2019)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57491-57492]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-23363]


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

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[NOTICE: (19-073)]


National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of availability for the Draft Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement (Supplemental EIS) for implementation of the Mars 2020 
mission.

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

SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), as amended, the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations 
for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA, and NASA's 
procedures for implementing NEPA, NASA announces the availability of 
the Draft supplement to the Final Environmental Impact Statement for 
the Mars 2020 Mission (Supplemental EIS) for public review and comment. 
The Draft Supplemental EIS provides updated information related to the 
potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Mars 2020 
mission.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Contact Mr. George Tahu by electronic 
mail at [email protected] or by telephone at 202-358-0016.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The updated information is pertinent to the 
consequence and risk analyses of potential accidents which could occur 
during the launch phases of the mission. Although the probability of 
such accidents occurring is extremely small, it is possible that under 
certain conditions an accident could result in a release of plutonium 
dioxide from the Multi-Mission Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generator 
(MMRTG) into the environment. The MMRTG is a critical component of the 
Mars 2020 rover; it would enable the Mars 2020 rover mission to 
undertake a much broader scope of scientific discovery by providing a 
continuous supply of electrical power and temperature control to the 
Mars 2020 rover while on the surface of Mars. The Mars 2020 mission 
would launch the spacecraft onboard an Atlas V launch vehicle from the 
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Brevard County, Florida 
during the summer of 2020. Additional information about the mission may 
be found on the internet at: https://mars.nasa.gov/mars2020/.
    NASA encourages all interested parties to provide comments 
concerning the scope and content of the Draft Supplemental EIS by 
December 10,

[[Page 57492]]

2019. The Draft Supplemental EIS is available in local libraries or for 
download on the internet at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nepa-mars-2020-mission.
    NASA will also hold the following public meetings to solicit 
comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS:
    November 13, 2019; 6 p.m.-9 p.m.: Kennedy Space Center Visitors 
Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953.
    November 14, 2019; 2 p.m.-5 p.m.: Florida Solar Energy Center, 1679 
Clearlake Rd., Cocoa, FL 32922.
    November 15, 2019; 1 p.m.-3 p.m.: VIRTUAL meeting online at https://go.nasa.gov/SEIS-meeting.
    At the meetings, NASA will describe the environmental review 
process, discuss the proposed action and the updated environmental 
analysis presented in the Draft Supplemental EIS, and provide the 
public an opportunity to offer comments. The meetings on November 13 
and November 14 will begin with an open-house format for the first hour 
followed by a 20-minute formal presentation. After the formal 
presentation, there will be a public comment period in which members of 
the public may provide up to a three-minute statement. Written comments 
will also be collected throughout the meetings.
    The meeting on November 15 will be a virtual meeting held at https://go.nasa.gov/SEIS-meeting.
    A formal presentation will be given between 1:00 p.m.-1:20 p.m., 
thereafter attendees may then use the commenting feature to submit 
comments until 3 pm.
    NASA will accept comments on the Draft Supplemental EIS until the 
expiration of the comment period on December 10, 2019. All comments 
NASA receives will be considered and responded to in the Final 
Supplemental EIS. Comments may be submitted at any of the public 
meetings, by electronic mail at [email protected], by 
telephone at 202-358-0016, or in writing to Mr. George Tahu, Planetary 
Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, Mail Suite 3E46, NASA 
Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001.
    Before including your address, phone number, email address, or 
other personal identifying information in your comment, be advised that 
your entire comment--including your personal identifying information--
may be publicly available at any time. While you can ask us in your 
comment to withhold from public review your personal identifying 
information, we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    NASA's proposed Mars 2020 mission would use the proven design and 
technology developed for the Mars Science Laboratory mission and rover 
(Curiosity) that launched from CCAFS in November 2011 and arrived at 
Mars in August 2012. NASA has selected a high priority, scientifically 
important landing site based upon data from past and current missions. 
The rover is 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.
    On September 11, 2013, NASA issued a Notice of Intent to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mars 2020 mission. NASA 
prepared the EIS and issued the Final in November 2014. NASA evaluated 
several alternatives related to the Mars 2020 rover's power source. 
NASA identified use of the MMRTG as its preferred alternative to meet 
the mission's electrical, thermal, and operational requirements. Waste 
heat from the MMRTG would be used for temperature control of the rover 
electronics, science instruments, and other sensitive components. The 
MMRTG is identical to the power supply that has been used with success 
on the Mars Curiosity rover. Alternatives to the Proposed Action 
addressed in the 2014 Final EIS included: (1) The use of alternative 
sources of on-board power and heat (including solar energy); and (2) 
the No Action Alternative. The 2014 Mars 2020 Final EIS also addressed 
the purpose and need for the proposed Mars 2020 mission and the 
environmental impacts associated with its implementation. The 
environmental impacts associated with the normal launch of the mission 
were addressed, as were the potential consequences of launch related 
accidents. NASA issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the Mars 2020 
mission on January 27, 2015. The ROD adopted Alternative 1 as the 
preferred alternative. Alternative 1 required NASA to complete 
preparation for and implement the proposed Mars 2020 mission during 
July-August 2020, or during the next available launch opportunity in 
August through September 2022, and to operate the mission using a MMRTG 
that would continually provide heat and electrical power to the rover's 
battery. Since 2015, NASA has significantly advanced preparations for 
the Mars 2020 mission and selected the Atlas V as the launch vehicle. 
The Mars 2020 Final EIS discussed Incomplete and Unavailable 
Information which would be addressed in the future through more 
detailed risk analyses conducted as part of NASA's and the Department 
of Energy's (DOE) ongoing radiological safety review programs. These 
analyses were completed in 2019 and accounted for the Atlas V as the 
chosen launch vehicle (that was selected on August 25, 2016, after the 
Mars 2020 Record of Decision on January 27, 2015), up-to-date safety 
test information, and updated analytical models.
    NASA policy for implementation of NEPA is found in NASA Procedural 
Requirements 8580.1A (NPR). The NPR requires preparation of a 
supplemental NEPA document when significant new information relevant to 
environmental concerns that bear on the proposed action or its impacts 
is discovered. Since NASA issued the 2014 Final EIS and 2015 ROD, the 
updated results from the risk and consequence modeling have become 
available for NASA's consideration. NASA has determined that the 
purposes of NEPA will be furthered by preparation and issuance of a 
Supplemental EIS.

Calvin F. Williams,
Associate Administrator, Office of Strategic Infrastructure, Mission 
Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2019-23363 Filed 10-24-19; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

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