[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 145 (Wednesday, July 29, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 40515]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-20210]



[[Page 40515]]

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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army


Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for Projects and 
Activities Associated With Programs at White Sands Missile Range 
(WSMR), New Mexico

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD; White Sands Missile Range.

COOPERATING AGENCIES: U.S. Air Force; Ballistic Missile Defense 
Organization; Defense Special Weapons Agency; National Aeronautics and 
Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of availability.

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SUMMARY: This notice of availability is for the White Sands Missile 
Range Final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The EIS addresses the 
potential impacts of several categories of test projects at WSMR. The 
testing categories include: missile testing (i.e., Multiple Launch 
Rocket System, Special Launch Vehicle, and Standard Missile), high 
altitude testing (i.e., High Altitude Balloon Experiment and Research 
Rockets), environmental testing (Large Blasts, Temperature Testing), 
and high energy testing (Lasers, Radio Detecting and Ranging (RADAR)).
    In the past, WSMR incorporated the National Environmental Policy 
Act (NEPA) requirements into project planning on a case-by-case basis. 
To better evaluate the cumulative effects of unrelated actions being 
planned at the same time, the EIS incorporates all known and future 
programs. The analysis addresses potential impacts and cumulative 
effects. Mitigation of these effects is incorporated into the proposed 
action.

DATES: The public review period for this FEIS will end 30 days after 
publication of the NOA in the Federal Register by the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency.

ADDRESSES: Anyone wishing to receive a copy of the EIS may send a 
postcard with their name and address to Commander, WSMR, ATTN: STEWS-
NRES-C (Robert J. Andreoli), White Sands Missile Range, NM 88002-5048.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Robert J. Andreoli at (505) 678-7926.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The EIS's proposed action and alternatives 
are described below:

Proposed Action

    The proposed action of this EIS is the long-term operation of WSMR 
with the proposed adoption of specific mitigation measures for the 
continuation of existing programs and the future testing of scientific, 
military, and commercial systems. This proposed action includes two 
major components. The first component is the continuation of current 
project activities and existing operations and services including 
routine maintenance; modernization or removal of outdated facilities; 
and improvements in infrastructure, utilities, and services as 
necessary. The second component consists of changes in the number of 
projects and programs planned for the next 10-year period, with 
resulting changes in site usage and services. The proposed action 
includes adoption of mitigation measures to reduce the effect of WSMR 
activities on the environment.

Other Alternatives Considered

    The no action alternative is the other primary alternative 
considered. This alternative represents the status quo. Under this 
alternative, WSMR would remain a viable national range which supports 
missile development and test programs for the Army, Navy, Air Force, 
NASA, and other government and private organizations. Chapter 1 of the 
WSMR Environmental Assessment (1985) describes the current activities 
at WSMR. The no action alternative is the continuation of existing 
missions and operations at approximately their current scope and rates, 
but without the adoption of specific mitigation measures.
    The alternative of closing WSMR is considered to be out of the 
scope of this analysis. There are no Congressional or U.S. Army 
indications that this option is contemplated. A special NEPA process to 
address the shutdown and conversion of military bases has been 
established for such analyses.
    The other preliminary alternative identified for consideration in 
the Notice of Intent (NOI), but not further analyzed in the EIS, 
focused on testing of future systems and expansion of the mission into 
nuclear effects testing and launches into WSMR from off the range. 
Ongoing simulated nuclear effects testing is included in current 
operations and is analyzed accordingly in the EIS. (This research is 
more accurately referred to as nuclear effects simulation. It does not 
involve the testing of actual nuclear weapons.) A parallel NEPA process 
has been implemented with respect to current off-range launches into 
WSMR and is briefly discussed in Section 1.5.

    Dated: July 23, 1998.
Raymond J. Fatz,
Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Environment, Safety and 
Occupational Health) OASA (I,L&E).
[FR Doc. 98-20210 Filed 7-28-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3710-08-M