[Federal Register: September 7, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 172)] [Notices] [Page 48698-48699] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr07se99-119] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Federal Aviation Administration Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability of Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement for Commercial Launch Vehicles AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation (AST). ACTION: Notice of availability. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) the FAA is initiating a 45-day public review and comment period of a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for licensing commercial launch vehicles. The PEIS was prepared to (1) update a 1986 Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Commercial Launch Vehicles; (2) work in conjunction with other environmental documentation to support licensing of commercial launch vehicles (LVs); and (3) document compliance with NEPA requirements. In October 1998, AST's regulatory role in commercial space launch activities was enlarged to include licensing reentries and reentry sites; therefore, these are included in the PEIS. Copies of the document will be available through AST's Website (http://ast.faa.gov/) or by contacting Mr. Nikos Himaras at the address listed below. DATES: The official comment period will begin with an Environmental Protection Agency Notice of Availability in the Federal Register. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions about the proposed action and the PEIS; or any relevant data and/or comments regarding the potential environmental impacts associated with licensing commercial launch vehicles, reentries and/or reentry sites may be addressed to Mr. Nikos Himaras, Office of the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation, Space System Development Division, Suite 331/AST- 100, 800 Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20591; email nick.himaras@faa.gov; or phone (202) 267-7926. Written comments regarding the PEIS should be sent to the same mailing address. Additional Information The PEIS considers the environmental impacts of the proposed action of licensing commercial LVs. Two alternatives are also considered in detail. First, the more environmentally-friendly propellant combination alternative, whereby AST would emphasize licensing LVs that produce fewer air emissions of concern. In addition, the No Action alternative is also examined, where AST would not issue licenses for commercial LV launches. In analyzing the potential environmental impacts of the proposed action and two alternatives, the PEIS identifies six different types of ecosystems representing various potential commercial LV launch locations throughout the U.S. The environmental characteristics of the different ecosystems were used to describe the range of potential impacts of licensing commercial space launches. [[Page 48699]] Potential impacts of the proposed action were analyzed in three major categories, atmospheric impacts, noise impacts, and other environmental impacts. Potential environmental impacts to the atmosphere analyzed include ozone depletion and acid rain formation. Potential noise impacts considered include acoustic energy from launches and sonic booms during flights. Other potential environmental impacts discussed in the PEIS include impacts to the climate and atmosphere of the launch site, land resources, water resources, and biological resources. Potential accident scenarios and marine mammal strike probability were also considered. Potential environmental impacts associated with the more environmentally-friendly propellant combinations alternative were analyzed in three major categories: atmospheric impacts, noise impacts, and other environmental impacts. The environmentally-friendly propellant alternative is defined as preferentially licensing rockets that are not solely propelled by solid rocket motors. This would reduce the total number of U.S. commercial launches projected from 1998 through 2009 from 436 to 134. The number of launches using liquid, liquid/solid, or hybrid propellant systems is assumed to remain unchanged under this alternative. Thus, the total number of commercial, AST-licensed launches in the U.S. (i.e., programmatic launches) would decrease substantially under this alternative. It is assumed that the decrease in U.S. commercial launches using only solid propellants would be compensated for by an increase in these launches elsewhere in the world. Under the No Action alternative, the same number of worldwide commercial LV launches would take place. Chapter 701 requires AST to license a launch if the applicant complies and will continue to comply with chapter 701 and implementing regulations. 49 U.S.C. 70105. One of the purposes of chapter 701 is to provide that the Secretary of Transportation, and therefore AST, pursuant to delegations, oversees and coordinates the conduct of commercial launch and reentry, and issues and transfers licenses authorizing these activities. 40 U.S.C. 70104(b)(3). The agency may prevent a launch if it decides that the launch would jeopardize public health and safety, safety of property, or national security, or a foreign policy interest of the United States. 49 U.S.C. 70104(c). Not licensing any U.S. commercial launches would not be consistent with the purposes of chapter 701 in this context. In any event, the no action alternative suffers from other drawbacks as well. The U.S. space launch industry would be unable to continue LV launch operations regardless of their location because AST would not license U.S. launches. The no action alternative could negatively impact the national security and foreign policy interests of the U.S. Some U.S. government payloads have been launched by the U.S. commercial space launch industry. Therefore, if access to commercial LVs were not available, this overall limit in available capacity could, in a worst case scenario, impact the U.S. government's ability to launch needed payloads and negatively affect programs that rely on access to space. Additionally, under this alternative, parties that plan to launch from U.S. launch sites would be forced to find alternative launch sites outside the U.S., thereby potentially exposing sensitive technologies to countries with competing economic and security interests. Potential cumulative impacts, including those to the atmosphere and noise, are also addressed in the PEIS. Irreversible and irretrievable commitment of resources, such as consumption of mineral resources, are addressed in the document. Finally, the PEIS recommends a variety of mitigation measures to prevent or reduce environmental effects associated with the proposed action. Individual launch sites will monitor water quality, complete archaeological surveys, and survey biological species in the vicinity of the launch area. It is also assumed that all launch sites will comply with permit conditions. Other examples of suggested mitigation measures include: noise control actions, promoting the use of environmentally-friendly propellants, engaging in voluntary waste pollution prevention programs, developing a comprehensive environmental management system, working with interested parties to select the most culturally-friendly site, and implementing effective lighting policies to protect wildlife. Lastly, it should be noted that this PEIS is not site-specific. Any required site-specific environmental documentation would be developed as needed. Date Issued: August 31, 1999. Place Issued: Washington, DC. Patricia G. Smith, Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation. [FR Doc. 99-23201 Filed 9-3-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-13-P