Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, 13050-13051 [2024-03554]

Download as PDF 13050 Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / Notices cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so. Sheleen Dumas, Department PRA Clearance Officer, Office of the Under Secretary for Economic Affairs, Commerce Department. [FR Doc. 2024–03513 Filed 2–20–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Patent and Trademark Office [Docket No. PTO–C–2023–0056] Katherine K. Vidal, Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee Charter Renewal [FR Doc. 2024–03526 Filed 2–20–24; 8:45 am] United States Patent and Trademark Office, Commerce. ACTION: Notice. AGENCY: khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES BILLING CODE 3510–16–P The Department of Commerce has renewed the charter for the National Medal of Technology and Innovation Nomination Evaluation Committee (NMTI Committee) for an additional two-year period, as it is a necessary committee that is in the public interest. The charter is renewed until February 8, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Linda Hosler, Program Manager, NMTI Program, United States Patent and Trademark Office, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA 22314; 571–272–8514; or nmti@uspto.gov. Information is also available at www.uspto.gov/nmti. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The NMTI Committee was established in accordance with 15 U.S.C. 1512 and the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. 1001 et seq. The NMTI Committee members are distinguished experts from the private and public sectors, with experience in and an understanding of technology and technological innovation. The NMTI Committee provides recommendations of nominees for the NMTI. The duties of the NMTI Committee are solely advisory in nature. Nominations for the NMTI are solicited through an open, competitive, and nationwide call, and the NMTI Committee members are responsible for reviewing the nominations received. The NMTI Committee forwards its recommendations, through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, to the President. On December 22, 2023, the Secretary of Commerce approved the continuance of the NMTI Committee. On February 7, 2024, the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, Performing the nonSUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Feb 20, 2024 Jkt 262001 exclusive functions and duties of the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration, signed the charter for the NMTI Committee. This charter will terminate two years from the date of its filing with the standing committees of the United States Senate and the House of Representatives having legislative jurisdiction over the United States Patent and Trademark Office unless earlier terminated or renewed by proper authority. The charter was filed on February 8, 2024, and it expires on February 8, 2026. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Air Force Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense; Federal Aviation Administration; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; and United States Coast Guard. ACTION: Notice of intent. AGENCY: The Department of the Air Force is the lead agency for this notice. The Federal Aviation Administration is a cooperating agency and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and U.S. Coast Guard were invited to be cooperating agencies for this action. The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with (1) the execution of a real property agreement between the United States Space Force (USSF) and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), which would enable SpaceX to develop a launch site to support Starship-Super Heavy operations, including launch and landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), and (2) the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) issuance of a vehicle operator license at the selected launch site and approval of related airspace closures. DATES: A public scoping period will take place starting from the date of this NOI publication in the Federal Register and will last for 30 days. Comments will SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00018 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 be accepted at any time during the environmental impact analysis process; however, to ensure the DAF has sufficient time to consider public scoping comments during preparation of the Draft EIS, please submit comments within the 30-day scoping period. The DAF invites the public, stakeholders, and other interested parties to attend one or more of the three in-person public scoping meetings or the virtual public scoping meeting. In-person meetings will be held March 5 at Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Library, 308 Forrest Ave., Cocoa, FL 32922; March 6 at Titusville Civic Center, 4220 S Hopkins Ave., Titusville, FL 32780; and March 7 at Radisson Resort At The Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Each in-person scoping meeting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. A virtual meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 6 p.m. Information on how to attend the virtual meeting is available on the project website (SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com). The meetings will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the Proposed Action and Alternatives and provide an early and open process to assist the DAF and its Cooperating Agencies in determining the scope of issues for analysis in the EIS, including identifying significant environmental issues and eliminating from further study non-significant issues. Scope consists of the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts to be considered in the EIS. Project team members will be available to answer questions and there will also be an opportunity to provide oral and written comments. Scoping meeting materials will be provided in English and Spanish. The Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS is anticipated in December 2024 and the NOA for the Final EIS is anticipated in September 2025. A decision could be made no earlier than 30 days after the Final EIS. ADDRESSES: The project website (SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com) provides information related to the EIS, such as environmental documents, schedule, and project details, as well as a comment form. Comments may be submitted via the website comment form, emailed to ContactUs@ SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com, or mailed to CCSFS Starship EIS c/o Jacobs, 5401 W Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Tampa, Florida 33609. Members of the public who want to receive future mailings informing them of the availability of the Draft EIS and Final EIS are encouraged to submit a comment that includes their name and email or postal mailing E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 89, No. 35 / Wednesday, February 21, 2024 / Notices address. For other inquiries, please contact Ms. Molly Thrash, NEPA Project Manager at ContactUs@ SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com or 1–813– 954–5608. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose for the DAF’s Proposed Action is to advance U.S. space capabilities and provide launch and landing infrastructure in furtherance of U.S. policy to ensure capabilities necessary to launch and insert national security payloads into space (United States Code [U.S.C.] Title 10, Section 2273, ‘‘Policy regarding assured access to space: national security payloads’’). The need for the DAF’s Proposed Action is to ensure National Security Space Launch Assured Access to Space without compromising current launch capabilities and fulfill (in part) U.S. Congress’s grant of authority to the Secretary of Defense, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2276(a), ‘‘Commercial space launch cooperation,’’ that the Secretary of Defense is permitted to take action to maximize the use of the capacity of the space transportation infrastructure of the Department of Defense (DOD) by the private sector in the U.S.; maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the space transportation infrastructure of the DOD; reduce the cost of services provided by the DOD related to space transportation infrastructure at launch support facilities and space recovery support facilities; encourage commercial space activities by enabling investment by covered entities in the space transportation infrastructure of the DOD; and foster cooperation between DOD and covered entities. The DAF has identified a Proposed Action alternative, one reasonable action alternative (Alternative 1), and the No Action Alternative to be carried forward for analysis in the EIS. Under the Proposed Action, SpaceX would modify, reuse, or demolish the existing Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 infrastructure at CCSFS to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations. Under Alternative 1, leasing SLC–50 at CCSFS, SpaceX would construct infrastructure to support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations on a site that is currently undeveloped. Under the No Action Alternative, USSF would not enter into a real property agreement with SpaceX, SpaceX would not develop a launch and landing site in support of Starship-Super Heavy launches, and SpaceX would not apply for an FAA vehicle operator license for Starship-Super Heavy launches at either of the alternative SLCs under consideration. VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:43 Feb 20, 2024 Jkt 262001 Potential impacts may include noise, air quality, and hazardous material effects associated with operations and construction, as well as effects on biological and cultural resources because of ground disturbance and operational noise and vibrations. Implementation of the Proposed Action would potentially impact wetlands and/ or floodplains, therefore this NOI initiates early public review as required per Executive Order 11988 ‘‘Floodplain Management.’’ and Executive Order 11990 ‘‘Protection of Wetlands.’’ A Federal Coastal Zone Management Act determination will be conducted and coordinated with the Florida State Clearinghouse to determine consistency of the action with the Florida Coastal Management Program. SpaceX would be required to obtain an FAA Vehicle Operator License for the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle at CCSFS, which could include launch, reentry, or both. A Clean Air Act Title V operating permit may be required, as well as a Clean Water Act Section 404 permit and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. Scoping and Agency Coordination: Consultation will include, but not necessarily be limited to, consultation under Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act and consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA, to include consultation with federally recognized Native American Tribes. Regulatory agencies with special expertise in wetlands and floodplains, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be contacted and asked to comment. The DAF and Cooperating Agencies will determine the scope of the analysis by soliciting comments from interested local, state, and federally elected officials and agencies, federally recognized Native American tribes, as well as interested members of the public. Comments are requested on identification of potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action. Tommy W. Lee, Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer. [FR Doc. 2024–03554 Filed 2–20–24; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6001–FR–P PO 00000 Frm 00019 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 13051 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Meeting of Department of Defense Federal Advisory Committees— Defense Innovation Board Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, Department of Defense (DoD). ACTION: Meeting of Federal advisory committee. AGENCY: The DoD is publishing this notice to announce that the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the Defense Innovation Board (DIB) will take place. DATES: Open to the public Tuesday, March 5, 2024, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. ADDRESSES: The open meeting will take place virtually, via the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service (DVIDS). SUMMARY: Dr. Marina Theodotou, the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) at (571) 372–7344 (voice) or osd.innovation@mail.mil. Mailing address is Defense Innovation Board, 4800 Mark Center Drive, Suite 15D08, Alexandria, VA 22350–3600. Website: https://innovation.defense.gov. The most up-to-date changes to the meeting agenda and link to the virtual meeting can be found on the website. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Due to circumstances beyond the control of the Designated Federal Officer and the Department of Defense, the Defense Innovation Board was unable to provide public notification required by 41 CFR 102–3.150(a) concerning its March 5, 2024 meeting. Accordingly, the Advisory Committee Management Officer for the Department of Defense, pursuant to 41 CFR 102–3.150(b), waives the 15-calendar day notification requirement. This meeting is being held under the provisions of chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (U.S.C.) (commonly known as the ‘‘Federal Advisory Committee Act’’ or ‘‘FACA’’) and 41 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 102– 3.140 and 102–3.150. Purpose of Meeting: The mission of the DIB is to provide the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, and the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD(R&E)) independent advice and strategic insights on emerging and disruptive technologies and their impact on national security, adoption of commercial sector innovation best practices, and ways to leverage the U.S. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: E:\FR\FM\21FEN1.SGM 21FEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 35 (Wednesday, February 21, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 13050-13051]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03554]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force


Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for 
SpaceX Starship-Super Heavy Operations at Cape Canaveral Space Force 
Station

AGENCY: Department of the Air Force, Department of Defense; Federal 
Aviation Administration; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; 
and United States Coast Guard.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force is the lead agency for this 
notice. The Federal Aviation Administration is a cooperating agency and 
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and U.S. Coast Guard 
were invited to be cooperating agencies for this action. The Department 
of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this Notice of Intent (NOI) to 
prepare an environmental impact statement (EIS) to evaluate the 
potential environmental impacts associated with (1) the execution of a 
real property agreement between the United States Space Force (USSF) 
and Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX), which would enable 
SpaceX to develop a launch site to support Starship-Super Heavy 
operations, including launch and landing at Cape Canaveral Space Force 
Station (CCSFS), and (2) the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) 
issuance of a vehicle operator license at the selected launch site and 
approval of related airspace closures.

DATES: A public scoping period will take place starting from the date 
of this NOI publication in the Federal Register and will last for 30 
days. Comments will be accepted at any time during the environmental 
impact analysis process; however, to ensure the DAF has sufficient time 
to consider public scoping comments during preparation of the Draft 
EIS, please submit comments within the 30-day scoping period.
    The DAF invites the public, stakeholders, and other interested 
parties to attend one or more of the three in-person public scoping 
meetings or the virtual public scoping meeting. In-person meetings will 
be held March 5 at Catherine Schweinsberg Rood Central Library, 308 
Forrest Ave., Cocoa, FL 32922; March 6 at Titusville Civic Center, 4220 
S Hopkins Ave., Titusville, FL 32780; and March 7 at Radisson Resort At 
The Port, 8701 Astronaut Blvd., Cape Canaveral, FL 32920. Each in-
person scoping meeting will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. A virtual 
meeting is scheduled for March 12 at 6 p.m. Information on how to 
attend the virtual meeting is available on the project website 
(SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com). The meetings will provide an opportunity 
for attendees to learn more about the Proposed Action and Alternatives 
and provide an early and open process to assist the DAF and its 
Cooperating Agencies in determining the scope of issues for analysis in 
the EIS, including identifying significant environmental issues and 
eliminating from further study non-significant issues. Scope consists 
of the range of actions, alternatives, and impacts to be considered in 
the EIS. Project team members will be available to answer questions and 
there will also be an opportunity to provide oral and written comments. 
Scoping meeting materials will be provided in English and Spanish.
    The Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS is anticipated in 
December 2024 and the NOA for the Final EIS is anticipated in September 
2025. A decision could be made no earlier than 30 days after the Final 
EIS.

ADDRESSES: The project website (SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com) provides 
information related to the EIS, such as environmental documents, 
schedule, and project details, as well as a comment form. Comments may 
be submitted via the website comment form, emailed to 
SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com">ContactUs@SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com, or mailed to CCSFS Starship EIS c/
o Jacobs, 5401 W Kennedy Blvd., Suite 300, Tampa, Florida 33609. 
Members of the public who want to receive future mailings informing 
them of the availability of the Draft EIS and Final EIS are encouraged 
to submit a comment that includes their name and email or postal 
mailing

[[Page 13051]]

address. For other inquiries, please contact Ms. Molly Thrash, NEPA 
Project Manager at SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com">ContactUs@SpaceForceStarshipEIS.com or 1-813-954-
5608.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose for the DAF's Proposed Action is 
to advance U.S. space capabilities and provide launch and landing 
infrastructure in furtherance of U.S. policy to ensure capabilities 
necessary to launch and insert national security payloads into space 
(United States Code [U.S.C.] Title 10, Section 2273, ``Policy regarding 
assured access to space: national security payloads'').
    The need for the DAF's Proposed Action is to ensure National 
Security Space Launch Assured Access to Space without compromising 
current launch capabilities and fulfill (in part) U.S. Congress's grant 
of authority to the Secretary of Defense, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 
2276(a), ``Commercial space launch cooperation,'' that the Secretary of 
Defense is permitted to take action to maximize the use of the capacity 
of the space transportation infrastructure of the Department of Defense 
(DOD) by the private sector in the U.S.; maximize the effectiveness and 
efficiency of the space transportation infrastructure of the DOD; 
reduce the cost of services provided by the DOD related to space 
transportation infrastructure at launch support facilities and space 
recovery support facilities; encourage commercial space activities by 
enabling investment by covered entities in the space transportation 
infrastructure of the DOD; and foster cooperation between DOD and 
covered entities.
    The DAF has identified a Proposed Action alternative, one 
reasonable action alternative (Alternative 1), and the No Action 
Alternative to be carried forward for analysis in the EIS. Under the 
Proposed Action, SpaceX would modify, reuse, or demolish the existing 
Space Launch Complex (SLC)-37 infrastructure at CCSFS to support 
Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations. Under Alternative 
1, leasing SLC-50 at CCSFS, SpaceX would construct infrastructure to 
support Starship-Super Heavy launch and landing operations on a site 
that is currently undeveloped. Under the No Action Alternative, USSF 
would not enter into a real property agreement with SpaceX, SpaceX 
would not develop a launch and landing site in support of Starship-
Super Heavy launches, and SpaceX would not apply for an FAA vehicle 
operator license for Starship-Super Heavy launches at either of the 
alternative SLCs under consideration.
    Potential impacts may include noise, air quality, and hazardous 
material effects associated with operations and construction, as well 
as effects on biological and cultural resources because of ground 
disturbance and operational noise and vibrations. Implementation of the 
Proposed Action would potentially impact wetlands and/or floodplains, 
therefore this NOI initiates early public review as required per 
Executive Order 11988 ``Floodplain Management.'' and Executive Order 
11990 ``Protection of Wetlands.''
    A Federal Coastal Zone Management Act determination will be 
conducted and coordinated with the Florida State Clearinghouse to 
determine consistency of the action with the Florida Coastal Management 
Program. SpaceX would be required to obtain an FAA Vehicle Operator 
License for the Starship-Super Heavy launch vehicle at CCSFS, which 
could include launch, reentry, or both. A Clean Air Act Title V 
operating permit may be required, as well as a Clean Water Act Section 
404 permit and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.
    Scoping and Agency Coordination: Consultation will include, but not 
necessarily be limited to, consultation under Section 7 of the 
Endangered Species Act and consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA, 
to include consultation with federally recognized Native American 
Tribes. Regulatory agencies with special expertise in wetlands and 
floodplains, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, will be 
contacted and asked to comment. The DAF and Cooperating Agencies will 
determine the scope of the analysis by soliciting comments from 
interested local, state, and federally elected officials and agencies, 
federally recognized Native American tribes, as well as interested 
members of the public. Comments are requested on identification of 
potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the 
Proposed Action.

Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-03554 Filed 2-20-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6001-FR-P

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