National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission, 4342-4343 [2020-01179]

Download as PDF 4342 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 16 / Friday, January 24, 2020 / Notices Total Estimated Annual Responses: 6. Estimated Average Time per Response: 60–90 minutes. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 8 hours. Total Estimated Annual Other Cost Burden: $3. Anjanette Suggs, Agency Clearance Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–01125 Filed 1–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4510–CH–P NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION [Notice: 20–003] National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission National Aeronautics and Space Administration. ACTION: Notice of availability for the Final 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 (CEQ NEPA Regulations), and NASA’s procedures for implementing NEPA, NASA announces the availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for the Mars 2020 Mission (Supplemental EIS). NASA has prepared the Final SEIS which, in accordance with CEQ NEPA Regulations, provides responses to comments and incorporates associated changes resulting from the public and agency review of the Draft SEIS published in October 2019. The Final SEIS provides updated information related to the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Mars 2020 mission. The United States Air Force and Department of Energy (DOE) served as Cooperating Agencies. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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 lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:03 Jan 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 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/. Per CEQ NEPA Regulations a decision on a course of action will be made after the 30-day Final SEIS waiting period, to conclude 30-days from the date of this Federal Register publication. Although NEPA does not require responses to public comments received during this period, comments received will be considered in determining final decisions. Any decision will be documented in a Record of Decision that will be made available to the public. The Final SEIS is available for download at https://www.nasa.gov/ feature/nepa-mars-2020-mission. Because there were no substantive changes to the document from Draft SEIS to Final SEIS, paper copies will be made available by request only. Comments on, or requests for paper copies of, the Final SEIS may be made 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. 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) PO 00000 Frm 00074 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 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 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 E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 16 / Friday, January 24, 2020 / Notices in the future through more detailed risk analyses conducted as part of NASA’s and the DOE’s 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-todate 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 SEIS. Calvin F. Williams, Associate Administrator, Office of Strategic Infrastructure, Mission Support Directorate. [FR Doc. 2020–01179 Filed 1–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510–13–P NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes: Meeting Notice U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice of meeting. AGENCY: The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) will convene a teleconference meeting of the Advisory Committee on the Medical Uses of Isotopes (ACMUI) on March 11, 2020, to discuss the draft report of the ACMUI Regulatory Guide 8.39 Subcommittee. A phased approach is being conducted by the NRC staff to comprehensively update Regulatory Guide 8.39, ‘‘Release of Patients Administered Radioactive Material.’’ Phase 1 of the revision provides licensees with more detailed instructions to patients before and after they have been administered radioactive material than what is currently provided in Regulatory Guide 8.39. The ACMUI subcommittee’s report will include its comments and recommendations on the draft final Phase 1 revisions to Regulatory Guide 8.39. Meeting information, including a copy of the agenda and handouts, will be available at https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc- lotter on DSKBCFDHB2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:03 Jan 23, 2020 Jkt 250001 collections/acmui/meetings/2020.html. The agenda and handouts may also be obtained by contacting Ms. Kellee Jamerson using the information below. DATES: The teleconference meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 11, 2020, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kellee Jamerson, email: Kellee.Jamerson@nrc.gov, telephone: (301) 415–7408. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Public Participation: Any member of the public who wishes to participate in the teleconference should contact Ms. Jamerson using the contact information in FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. Conduct of the Meeting Dr. Darlene Metter, ACMUI Chairman, will preside over the meeting. Dr. Metter will conduct the meeting in a manner that will facilitate the orderly conduct of business. The following procedures apply to public participation in the meeting: 1. Persons who wish to provide a written statement should submit an electronic copy to Ms. Jamerson at the contact information listed above. All written statements must be received by March 6, 2020, three business days prior to the meeting, and must pertain to the topic on the agenda for the meeting. 2. Questions and comments from members of the public will be permitted during the meeting at the discretion of the ACMUI Chairman. 3. The draft transcript and meeting summary will be available on ACMUI’s website https://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/ doc-collections/acmui/meetings/ 2020.html on or about April 22, 2020. This meeting will be held in accordance with the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as amended (primarily Section 161a); the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App); and the Commission’s regulations in 10 CFR part 7. Dated: January 17, 2020. Russell E. Chazell, Federal Advisory Committee Management Officer. [FR Doc. 2020–01127 Filed 1–23–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7590–01–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. CP2017–232; CP2017–242; CP2017–249; CP2017–251; CP2017–254; CP2017–255; CP2019–50; CP2019–70; CP2019–110] 4343 The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing for the Commission’s consideration concerning negotiated service agreements. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: January 27, 2020. ADDRESSES: Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives. SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Docketed Proceeding(s) I. Introduction The Commission gives notice that the Postal Service filed request(s) for the Commission to consider matters related to negotiated service agreement(s). The request(s) may propose the addition or removal of a negotiated service agreement from the market dominant or the competitive product list, or the modification of an existing product currently appearing on the market dominant or the competitive product list. Section II identifies the docket number(s) associated with each Postal Service request, the title of each Postal Service request, the request’s acceptance date, and the authority cited by the Postal Service for each request. For each request, the Commission appoints an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in the proceeding, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505 (Public Representative). Section II also establishes comment deadline(s) pertaining to each request. The public portions of the Postal Service’s request(s) can be accessed via the Commission’s website (https:// www.prc.gov). Non-public portions of the Postal Service’s request(s), if any, can be accessed through compliance with the requirements of 39 CFR 3007.301.1 The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service’s request(s) New Postal Products Postal Regulatory Commission. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: PO 00000 Frm 00075 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 1 See Docket No. RM2018–3, Order Adopting Final Rules Relating to Non-Public Information, June 27, 2018, Attachment A at 19–22 (Order No. 4679). E:\FR\FM\24JAN1.SGM 24JAN1

Agencies

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 16 (Friday, January 24, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4342-4343]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-01179]


=======================================================================
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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice: 20-003]


National Environmental Policy Act; Mars 2020 Mission

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

ACTION: Notice of availability for the Final 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 (CEQ NEPA 
Regulations), and NASA's procedures for implementing NEPA, NASA 
announces the availability of the Final Supplemental Environmental 
Impact Statement for the Mars 2020 Mission (Supplemental EIS). NASA has 
prepared the Final SEIS which, in accordance with CEQ NEPA Regulations, 
provides responses to comments and incorporates associated changes 
resulting from the public and agency review of the Draft SEIS published 
in October 2019. The Final SEIS provides updated information related to 
the potential environmental impacts associated with the proposed Mars 
2020 mission. The United States Air Force and Department of Energy 
(DOE) served as Cooperating Agencies.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 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/.
    Per CEQ NEPA Regulations a decision on a course of action will be 
made after the 30-day Final SEIS waiting period, to conclude 30-days 
from the date of this Federal Register publication. Although NEPA does 
not require responses to public comments received during this period, 
comments received will be considered in determining final decisions. 
Any decision will be documented in a Record of Decision that will be 
made available to the public. The Final SEIS is available for download 
at https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nepa-mars-2020-mission. Because there 
were no substantive changes to the document from Draft SEIS to Final 
SEIS, paper copies will be made available by request only. Comments on, 
or requests for paper copies of, the Final SEIS may be made 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

[[Page 4343]]

in the future through more detailed risk analyses conducted as part of 
NASA's and the DOE's 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 
SEIS.

Calvin F. Williams,
Associate Administrator, Office of Strategic Infrastructure, Mission 
Support Directorate.
[FR Doc. 2020-01179 Filed 1-23-20; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

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