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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 248 (Friday, December 27, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 105555-105559]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-30795]

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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY

Notice of Intent To Prepare a Supplemental Environmental Impact 
Statement for Remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of 
the Santa Susana Field Laboratory and Conduct Public Scoping Meetings

AGENCY: Office of Environmental Management, Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of intent to prepare a supplemental environmental impact 
statement and conduct public scoping meetings.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announces its intent to 
prepare a supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) under the 
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to evaluate additional 
alternatives for cleanup of soils in Area IV, including the Energy 
Technology Engineering Center (ETEC), as well as the Northern Buffer 
Zone (NBZ) of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL) (DOE/EIS-0402-
S1) in eastern Ventura County, California, adjacent to Los Angeles 
County. DOE's operations bordered the NBZ. DOE is responsible for soil 
cleanup in Area IV and the portions of the NBZ where DOE's activities 
impacted the soils. This SEIS, prepared to supplement the ``Final 
Environmental Impact Statement for Remediation of Area IV and the 
Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory and Conduct 
Public Scoping Meetings'' (Final SSFL Area IV EIS) (DOE/EIS-0402; 
November 2018), will include additional soils remediation alternatives 
not previously evaluated. DOE is initiating a 60-day public scoping 
period. DOE plans to hold two public scoping meetings.

DATES: DOE invites Federal and State agencies, State and local 
governments, Native American Tribes, industry and other organizations, 
and members of the public to submit comments to assist in determining 
the appropriate scope of this SEIS. The public scoping period will 
extend until February 25, 2025. DOE plans to hold two public scoping 
meetings. Dates, times, and locations will be announced in local media 
and posted on the ETEC EIS website at https://www.ssflareaiveis.com/ at 
least 15 days before the date of the meetings.
    DOE will consider all comments received or postmarked by the end of 
the scoping period. Comments submitted after the close of the scoping 
period will be considered to the extent practicable.
    Additional information regarding scoping meetings is provided on 
the ETEC EIS website at https://www.ssflareaiveis.com/.

ADDRESSES: Written comments on the scope of the SEIS, requests to speak 
at a public meeting, requests to be added to the SEIS mailing list, and 
comments or questions on the scoping process can be sent to: Dr. Joshua 
Mengers, NEPA Document Manager, Leidos 2109 Air Park Road SE, Ste 200 
Albuquerque, NM 87106. Comments may also be submitted by email to 
[email protected] (use ``Scoping Comments'' for the subject), 
or on the EIS website at https://www.ssflareaiveis.com/. Please submit 
comments in Microsoft\TM\ Word or PDF file format and avoid the use of 
encryption.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the DOE 
Office of Environmental Management NEPA process, contact: Bill Ostrum, 
EM NEPA Compliance Officer, U.S. Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Avenue SW, Washington, DC 20585; 202-5896-2513 or email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This NOI, the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS, and 
related information are available online at https://www.energy.gov/nepa 
and at https://www.ssflareaiveis.com/.
    Additional information about the SSFL Area IV is available in the 
following public reading rooms:
     Simi Valley, California: Simi Valley Library, 2969 Tapo 
Canyon Road, (805) 526-1735;
     Hidden Hills, California: Hidden Hills City Hall, 6165 
Spring Valley Road, (818) 888-9281;
     Northridge, California: California State University 
Northridge Oviatt Library, 2nd Floor, Room 265, (818) 677-3465; and
     Chatsworth, California: State of California Department of 
Toxic Substances Control, 9211 Oakdale Avenue, (818) 717-6500.

Background

    DOE is preparing the ``Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement 
for Remediation of Area IV and the Northern Buffer Zone of the Santa 
Susana Field Laboratory'' (SEIS) (DOE/EIS-0402-S1) in accordance with 
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (Pub. L. 91-
190,42 United States Code (U.S.C.) 4321 et seq.) (NEPA), the Council on 
Environmental Quality's (CEQ) NEPA regulations (40 CFR parts 1500-
1508),\1\ and DOE's NEPA Implementing Procedures (10 CFR part 1021).
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    \1\ The DOE is aware of the November 12, 2024, decision in Marin 
Audubon Society v. Federal Aviation Administration, No. 23-1067 
(D.C. Cir. Nov. 12, 2024). To the extent that a court may conclude 
that the CEQ regulations implementing NEPA are not judicially 
enforceable or binding on this agency action, the DOE has 
nonetheless elected to follow those regulations at 40 CFR parts 
1500-1508, in addition to the DOE's procedures/regulations 
implementing NEPA at 10 CFR part 1021, to meet the agency's 
obligations under NEPA, 42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.
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    Site History. Located on 2,850 acres in the hills between the San 
Fernando Valley and Simi Valley, CA, SSFL was established in 1947 by 
North American Aviation (NAA) for the development and testing of liquid 
propellant rocket engines, first for the U.S. Air Force and 
subsequently for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration 
(NASA). In 1955, NAA established the subdivision Atomics International 
for the purpose of conducting energy research and testing small nuclear 
reactors for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), a predecessor agency 
to DOE, and commercial clients in the western portion of SSFL, also 
known as Area IV. Atomics International merged into Rocketdyne in 1984. 
In 1996, the Boeing Company (Boeing) acquired part of Rocketdyne, and 
with it SSFL.
    SSFL is divided into four administrative areas and two contiguous 
buffer zones north and south of the administrative areas. Area I 
consists of about 714 acres, including 672 acres that are owned and 
operated by Boeing and 42 acres that are owned by the Federal 
Government and administered by NASA. Area II consists of about 410 
acres that are owned by the Federal Government and administered by 
NASA. Area III consists of about 120 acres that are owned and operated 
by Boeing. Area IV consists of about 290 acres that are owned by Boeing 
in which 90 acres have been leased by DOE and its predecessors for work 
described below. Boeing also owns contiguous buffer zone areas of 1,143 
acres to the south (Southern Buffer Zone) and 182 acres to the north 
(NBZ). DOE has no responsibilities for the Southern Buffer Zone as it 
adjoins SSFL Areas I, II, and III. DOE does have responsibility for the 
cleanup of soils in the 290 acres of Area IV and in the 182-acre NBZ. 
Not all of the energy research conducted in Area IV was performed for 
DOE. Boeing has

[[Page 105556]]

responsibility for the decontamination and demolition of the buildings 
it owns.
    Starting in the mid-1950s, the AEC funded nuclear energy research 
on a 90-acre parcel of SSFL Area IV leased from Atomics International. 
ETEC was established by the AEC on this parcel in the early 1960s as a 
``center of excellence'' for liquid metals technology. Boeing and its 
predecessors operated ETEC on behalf of DOE. At ETEC, DOE also operated 
10 small nuclear reactors built for various research activities. All 
SSFL reactor operations ended in 1980, and nuclear research work was 
completed in 1988.
    Cleanup of ETEC began in the 1960s and was undertaken continually 
and as unnecessary facilities were decommissioned. Operation of the 
research facilities and reactors resulted in localized radiological and 
chemical contamination of soil and groundwater, and the concrete 
containment that surrounded the reactors became radioactive. The major 
periods of building demolition were 1975 through 1977 and 1995 through 
2005, and recently in 2020 through 2021. DOE has removed all nuclear 
materials from the site, as well as all above grade portions of its 
buildings (a few foundations remain). Prior building demolition and 
soil remediation efforts resulted in removal of much of the chemical 
and radioactive material from Area IV.
    Prior NEPA Reviews: In March 2003, DOE issued an ``Environmental 
Assessment for Cleanup and Closure of the Energy Technology Engineering 
Center'' (DOE/EA-1345). The purpose and need for agency action was 
based on a DOE determination in 1996 that ETEC was surplus to DOE's 
needs and that the site should be closed. Based on the results of the 
environmental assessment (EA), DOE determined that an EIS was not 
required and issued a finding of no significant impact (FONSI). DOE's 
FONSI was challenged, and the U.S. District Court for the Northern 
District of California's May 2, 2007, ruling in the case Natural 
Resources Defense Council v. Department of Energy (Slip Op. 2007 WL 
2349288 (N.D. Cal. Aug. 15, 2007)) held that DOE's decision to issue a 
FONSI and conduct remediation on the basis of the final EA rather than 
prepare an EIS was in violation of NEPA. The court enjoined DOE from 
relinquishing control of any portion of SSFL Area IV until DOE 
completes an EIS and issues a Record of Decision pursuant to NEPA.
    In accordance with CEQ and DOE NEPA implementing regulations (40 
CFR parts 1500-1508 and 10 CFR part 1021, respectively), DOE initiated 
an EIS in October 2007 by issuing an Advance NOI (72 FR 58834). Public 
comments received as a result of the publication of the Advance NOI 
aided in the preparation of the 2008 NOI announcing DOE's intent to 
prepare an EIS (73 FR 28437). DOE held scoping meetings in July 2008. 
DOE soon thereafter determined that additional site characterization 
data were needed before DOE could proceed with the EIS.
    After the additional site characterization work was completed, DOE 
reinitiated the EIS process by issuing an Amended NOI and conduct 
additional scoping meetings to allow further public involvement. The 
Amended NOI to Prepare an ``Environmental Impact Statement for 
Remediation of Area IV of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory'' and 
Conduct Public Scoping Meetings (79 FR 7439) was published in the 
February 7, 2014, Federal Register. DOE held two scoping meetings in 
February and March.
    The comments received during the 2008 and 2014 scoping periods were 
used in the development of the ``Draft Environmental Impact Statement 
for Remediation of Area IV and the NBZ of the Santa Susana Field 
Laboratory'' (Draft SSFL Area IV EIS). On January 13, 2017, EPA 
published a notice in the Federal Register (82 FR 4336), announcing the 
availability of the Draft SSFL Area IV EIS and a public comment period. 
During the public comment period, DOE held two public hearings, as well 
as a hearing for Native Americans.
    On December 28, 2018, EPA published a notice in the Federal 
Register (83 FR 67282), announcing the availability of the Final SSFL 
Area IV EIS. On September 27, 2019, DOE announced its decision to 
implement the preferred alternative for building demolition identified 
in the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS to demolish the 18 buildings it owned in 
Area IV of SSFL and dispose of or recycle the materials off site (84 FR 
51150). On November 10, 2020 (85 FR 71640), DOE announced its decision 
to implement the preferred alternatives for groundwater remediation 
identified in the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS, with the exception of Building 
4100/Building 56 Landfill TCE Plume, for which DOE would implement 
monitored natural attenuation. DOE has yet to issue a decision on soil 
remediation, the subject of this SEIS.
    As required by CEQA and the California Health and Safety Code, in 
September 2017, California Department of Toxic Substances Control 
(DTSC) issued the ``Draft Program Environmental Impact Report for the 
Santa Susana Field Laboratory, Ventura County, California'' (Draft 
Program EIR) to evaluate proposed remedial actions at SSFL. On June 8, 
2023, DTSC released the Final Program EIR for SSFL. According to DTSC's 
news release (https://dtsc.ca.gov/2023/06/08/news-release_t-04-23/), 
the Final Program EIR includes DTSC's analysis of the environmental 
impacts from cleanup work at the site, and mitigation measures to 
address those impacts, but the Final Program EIR itself does not select 
a cleanup standard. The Final Program EIR further provides that the 
responsible parties (Boeing, NASA, and DOE) will develop detailed work 
plans (characterized as ``decision documents'') that outline the stages 
and methods of cleanup and will include cleanup standards. These 
documents will be made available for public review and comment prior to 
finalization and DTSC approval.
    Regulations and Agreements: In 2007, DOE, NASA, Boeing, and DTSC 
entered into a Consent Order governing the remediation of soils and 
groundwater at SSFL.
    In the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2008 (Pub. L. 110-161), 
Congress, among other things, mandated that DOE use a portion of the 
funding for ETEC to enter into an interagency agreement with the EPA to 
conduct a joint comprehensive radioactive site characterization of Area 
IV and the NBZ. Additionally, in 2009, EPA received $38 million in 
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds from DOE to expand site 
characterization work. DOE continued to prepare the EIS while the site 
characterization was being completed, gathering information to support 
the EIS such as baseline data on traffic and noise. EPA conducted its 
background and on-site radionuclide investigation of Area IV and the 
NBZ from the summer of 2009 until the fall of 2012. EPA's final data 
report for the Area IV and NBZ radiological study was issued in 
December 2012. EPA's final data report for the radiological study is 
available on the ETEC website at www.energy.gov/etec/epa-characterization-1.
    In December 2010, DOE and DTSC entered into the Administrative 
Order on Consent (2010 AOC), which modifies DOE's obligations with 
respect to soil cleanup and provides the process for DOE to complete 
soil characterization within Area IV and the NBZ (https://www.energy.gov/sites/default/files/2023-01/SSFL_DOE_AOC_Final.pdf). The 
2010 AOC also describes the process for establishing soil cleanup 
standards for Area IV. The 2010 AOC stipulates that the soils cleanup 
standard will be local background

[[Page 105557]]

concentrations, subject to specified exceptions and conditions, 
including provisions addressing analytical detection limits, endangered 
species and habitat, cultural resources, and other unforeseen 
circumstances.\2\ The AOC provides a preference for on-site treatment 
to minimize transportation of soils. DOE completed the AOC-required 
soil sampling and released its data report for the Area IV/NBZ chemical 
study in 2014. The most frequently observed chemicals in soils were 
polychlorinated biphenyls (from electrical components); polycyclic 
aromatic hydrocarbons (from fuels and burning of wastes); dioxins (from 
burning of wastes and brush fires); petroleum chemicals (mostly from 
diesel fuel and naturally occurring organic materials); mercury (from 
electrical components and as heat transfer medium); and metals 
(antimony, cadmium, chromium VI, mercury, selenium, and silver). The 
results of the EPA soil radiological characterization reports and the 
DOE chemical characterization were incorporated into the SSFL Area IV 
EIS analyses.
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    \2\ The soil cleanup standards (action levels) are to be listed 
in a ``Look-up Table'' as not-to-exceed concentrations in the soil.
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    In December 2012, EPA provided to DTSC its cleanup value 
recommendations to be included in the Look-Up Table (LUT) for 
radionuclides, and DTSC released provisional radionuclide Look-Up Table 
values in January 2013. In June 2013, DTSC provided Look-Up Table 
values for 125 of the most frequently observed chemicals at the site.
    The provisional radionuclide LUT values and chemical LUT values are 
incorporated into appendix D of the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS.
    Boeing is the landowner of Area IV and the NBZ. In April 2017, 
Boeing and North American Land Trust entered into a Grant Deed of 
Conservation Easement and Agreement (conservation easement) to 
permanently preserve nearly 2,400 acres of land at SSFL, including Area 
IV and the NBZ as open space. In November 2017, Boeing and North 
American Land Trust entered into a second Grant Deed of Conservation 
Easement and Agreement to protect approximately 53 additional acres 
along the Southern Buffer Zone of SSFL. The conservation easements are 
legally enforceable documents that, among other restrictions, forever 
prohibit residential, agricultural, or commercial development or uses 
of the site. They permanently bind the property, regardless of who owns 
the land.

Purpose and Need for Agency Action

    Similar to that described in the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS DOE needs to 
complete remediation of SSFL Area IV and the NBZ to comply with 
applicable requirements for cleanup of radiological and hazardous 
substances. These requirements include laws, regulations, orders, and 
agreements. To this end, DOE proposes to clean up the affected 
environment in Area IV and the NBZ in a manner that is protective of 
the environment and the health and safety of the public and workers.

Proposed Action

    DOE proposes to remediate chemically and radiologically impacted 
soil in Area IV and the NBZ; dispose of resulting material; and restore 
the affected environment in accordance with applicable laws, orders, 
regulations, and agreements with the State of California.

Preliminary Description of Alternatives

    In the Final SSFL Area IV EIS, DOE evaluated the No Action 
Alternative and four different soil cleanup alternatives. The 
previously evaluated soil cleanup alternatives were: (1) Cleanup to the 
AOC LUT Values; (2) Cleanup to Revised LUT Values; (3) Conservation of 
Natural Resources--Residential Scenario; and (4) Conservation of 
Natural Resources Open Space Scenario.
    Various conditions warrant the consideration of additional options 
for soil cleanup actions. DOE's ongoing environmental review and 
assessment of the site identified numerous challenging issues for soil 
remediation. For example, the provisional LUT values developed to 
define background are not implementable. Backfill soils needed to 
restore the site are not available at the established cleanup 
standards. The provisional cleanup standards set for some contaminants 
are lower than laboratory detection capabilities. The pristine sites 
used to develop the provisional look-up-table values would not pass as 
clean. Therefore, DOE proposes to evaluate three new soil cleanup 
alternatives in the SEIS: (1) Updated LUT Values Alternative, (2) 
Multiple Lines of Evidence Alternative, and (3) Resident with Garden 
Risk-based Alternative.
    These alternatives are being evaluated in the SEIS because they are 
reasonable options for cleanup of soil contamination for DOE areas of 
responsibility at SSFL.
     Updated LUT Values Alternative--DOE, working with DTSC 
staff, identified issues with the AOC LUT background threshold values 
(BTVs) and method reporting limits (MRLs) and DOE developed proposed 
``Updated'' LUT values that reduce the false positive decision error 
rate. The proposed Updated LUT Alternative would retain the other 
provisions of the AOC.
     Multiple Lines of Evidence Alternative--Looking at options 
for addressing issues with AOC soil cleanup implementation, DTSC 
developed a soil cleanup option termed the ``Multiple-Lines of 
Evidence'' (MLE) approach, which means using different types of proof 
to support an idea. The use of MLE makes the argument stronger and more 
reliable. US EPA identifies the use of MLE as a best practice in 
environmental cleanup. DTSC held public ``Soil Smarts'' workshops on 
November 20, 2024, and December 10, 2024, to explain the next phase of 
implementing the soil cleanup at SSFL and discuss the MLE approach. 
According to DTSC, ``The MLE approach uses risk assessment to ensure 
the protection of human health while minimizing unnecessary removal of 
clean soil and destruction of critical habitats and cultural 
resources.'' DTSC elaborated on the MLE approach: ``[t]he evaluation is 
performed on a sample-by-sample basis and does not use any area 
averaging'' and ``[u]sing the MLE approach will allow for a cleanup to 
local background levels consistent with the AOCs.'' A further 
description of DTSC's proposed MLE approach is available at https://dtsc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/31/2024/11/SSFL-Fact-Sheet-5-Unearthing-a-Better-Approach-FINAL.pdf.
     Resident with Garden Risk-based Alternative--The Boeing 
Company and DTSC entered into a settlement agreement (``Boeing 
Settlement Agreement'') providing a framework for the soil cleanup 
action for Boeing's cleanup at SSFL. According to the Boeing Settlement 
agreement, cleanup would be up to and including a resident with garden 
scenario. Standard risk assessment protocols would be followed in 
identifying locations for a soil cleanup action.
    As part of this SEIS, DOE proposes to evaluate the resident with 
garden scenario based on the framework from the Boeing Settlement 
Agreement, which differs from the resident (without garden) and open 
space scenarios assessed in the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS. In the interest 
of evaluating a consistent cleanup standard across the SSFL site and 
avoiding challenges associated with disparate standards, the resident 
with garden scenario is being addressed in this SEIS as an option for a 
soil cleanup

[[Page 105558]]

action within DOE areas of responsibility at SSFL.
    A number of alternative concepts were proposed by the public during 
the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS scoping period in 2008, the Community 
Alternatives Development Workshops in 2012, and the SSFL Area IV EIS 
scoping period in 2014. DOE incorporated most of these concepts into 
the alternatives described in the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS. More detailed 
descriptions of these concepts, as well as a discussion of the analysis 
undertaken to evaluate each concept and inform DOE's dismissal of some 
concepts from detailed study, are provided in the 2018 SSFL Area IV 
EIS. DOE will reconsider these alternative concepts as part of the SEIS 
development process.
    In accordance with CEQ and DOE NEPA Regulations, DOE will also 
evaluate a ``no action'' alternative. Under the No Action Alternative, 
DOE would undertake no further soil cleanup at SSFL Area IV and the 
NBZ. Other DOE and Boeing activities would continue at SSFL Area IV and 
the NBZ. As required under NEPA, this alternative is to establish the 
baseline against which the environmental effects from other analyzed 
alternatives can be compared.
    This list of alternatives is preliminary. After public scoping, DOE 
will re-evaluate the reasonable alternatives to be analyzed in the 
SEIS.

Preliminary Identification of Environmental Issues and Expected Effects

    DOE has tentatively identified potential effects to the following 
resource areas for consideration in the SEIS. These are the same 
resource areas evaluated in the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS. The following 
list is not intended to be all inclusive or to imply any 
predetermination of effects.

 Land Resources including land use, recreation, infrastructure, 
and aesthetics and visual quality
 Geology and Soils including mineral and paleontological 
resources
 Surface Water Resources including floodplains and wetlands
 Groundwater Resources
 Biological Resources including vegetation, wildlife, and 
threatened, endangered, and rare species
 Air Quality, Climate Change, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions and 
Effects
 Noise
 Transportation including from radiological and non-
radiological wastes to disposal sites and clean replacement soil to 
SSFL
 Traffic
 Human Health and Safety including occupational and public 
health and safety, and site accidents including from natural disasters 
(floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes) and intentional 
destructive acts (sabotage and terrorism)
 Waste Management
 Cultural Resources including archeological, paleontological, 
and Native American culturally important sites and Consultations
 Socioeconomics
 Environmental Justice (potential disproportionate and adverse 
effects on communities with environmental justice concerns)
 Cumulative effects

    This list will be re-evaluated following public scoping and, as 
directed by the CEQ's NEPA Regulations, DOE will analyze each potential 
environmental effect at a level of detail in proportion to its 
potential significance (40 CFR 1502.2(b)).

Anticipated Permits, Authorizations, and Related Environmental Reviews

    As described in the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS, DOE areas of Area IV and 
the NBZ lie outside the floodplain. Because there are no floodplains, 
DOE's regulation 10 CFR part 1022 does not apply with respect to 
floodplain actions. Because the proposed project may involve actions in 
wetlands, the draft SEIS will include an updated wetland assessment.
    Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) 
requires Federal agencies to take into account the effects of their 
undertakings on historic properties. DOE will continue to coordinate 
compliance with section 106 during preparation of this SEIS.
    Also, DOE will continue formal consultations with the U.S. Fish and 
Wildlife Service as required under section 7 of the Endangered Species 
Act and begun during preparation of the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS.

Public Scoping Process

    DOE invites interested parties to comment on the scope of this 
SEIS, including the proposed action, alternatives, and effects, as well 
as on relevant information, studies, or analyses with respect to the 
proposed action. This may include environmental issues to be analyzed, 
and mitigation to reduce potential environmental effects. Written 
comments may be provided by any of the means described under ADDRESSES 
section. Oral comments may be provided at the public scoping meetings. 
DOE plans to hold two public scoping meetings. Dates, times, and 
locations will be announced in local media and posted on the ETEC EIS 
website at https://www.ssflareaiveis.com/ at least 15 days before the 
date of the meetings.
    Requests to speak at the public meeting should be made by sending 
an email to [email protected]. Those who pre-register should 
indicate at which meeting they want to speak and their name. Speakers 
will be scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. In addition, 
individuals may sign up at the meeting reception desk and will be 
accommodated as time permits.
    The scoping meetings will offer an opportunity for stakeholders to 
learn more about the proposed action from DOE officials and to provide 
comments on the proposed scope of the SEIS. DOE officials will provide 
a brief presentation explaining DOE's process for identifying 
reasonable alternatives and potential environmental effects to be 
analyzed in the SEIS. Following the presentation, the public will be 
given the opportunity to provide comments orally. A court reporter will 
be present to transcribe comments, but speakers are encouraged to 
provide written versions of their oral comments for the record. The 
presiding officer will establish the order of the speakers and will 
ensure that everyone who wishes to speak has a chance to do so. DOE may 
need to limit speakers to three minutes initially but will provide 
additional opportunities to speak if time allows. Comment cards will 
also be available for those who would prefer to submit written 
comments. DOE is especially interested in learning from the public any 
issues or alternatives that should be considered.
    Persons needing reasonable accommodations in order to attend or 
participate in the public meeting should contact DOE using one of the 
methods listed in ADDRESSES section no later than one week before the 
relevant public meeting.
    Because your comments will be made public, you are solely 
responsible for ensuring that your comments do not include any 
confidential information that you or a third party may not wish to be 
posted. Pursuant to 10 CFR 1004.11, any person submitting information 
that he or she believes to be confidential and exempt by law from 
public disclosure should submit via email, postal mail, or hand 
delivery/courier two well-marked copies: one copy of the document 
marked confidential including all the information believed to be 
confidential, and one copy of the document marked non-confidential with 
the information

[[Page 105559]]

believed to be confidential deleted. Submit these documents via email. 
DOE will make its own determination about the confidential status of 
the information and treat it according to its determination.
    Comments must be provided by the date provided in the DATES section 
of this notice to ensure consideration in preparation of the draft 
SEIS. DOE will consider late comments to the extent practicable.
    Please be advised that your entire comment--including your personal 
identifying information--may be made publicly available. It is DOE's 
policy that all comments may be included in the public docket, without 
change and as received, including any personal information provided in 
the comments (except information deemed to be exempt from public 
disclosure). If you wish for DOE to withhold your name and/or other 
personally identifiable information, please state this prominently at 
the beginning of your comment. You may also submit comments 
anonymously.

Cooperating Agencies

    Federal, State, local, and Tribal agencies with jurisdiction by law 
or special expertise, such as Indigenous Knowledge, are invited to 
participate in the preparation of the SEIS as cooperating agencies, as 
defined at 40 CFR 1501.8. Native American Tribes are invited to 
participate as consulting governments. For the 2018 SSFL Area IV EIS, 
there were three cooperating agencies: NASA, the U.S. Army Corps of 
Engineers, and the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians (a federally 
recognized Native American Tribe with historical ties to the SSFL 
land). The EPA and DTSC were also invited to be cooperating agencies 
but declined. DOE is inviting these same agencies to participate in 
this SEIS as well.

SEIS Process and Schedule

    DOE will consider all comments received during the public scoping 
period in preparing the draft SEIS. DOE anticipates issuing a draft 
SEIS in the winter of 2025-2026. The EPA will publish a notice of 
availability of the draft SEIS in the Federal Register, which will 
begin a minimum 45-day public comment period. DOE will hold at least 
one public hearing, no sooner than 30 days after the EPA notice of 
availability is published. DOE will consider comments submitted during 
the comment period on the draft SEIS when preparing the final SEIS. DOE 
anticipates issuing a final SEIS in the summer of 2026. EPA will issue 
a notice of availability of the final SEIS in the Federal Register. DOE 
anticipates issuing a record of decision in the fall of 2026 but will 
do so no sooner than 30 days from the EPA notice of availability of the 
final SEIS in the Federal Register.

Signing Authority

    This document of the Department of Energy was signed on December 
17, 2024, by Candice Trummell, Senior Advisor for Environmental 
Management, pursuant to delegated authority from the Secretary of 
Energy. That document with the original signature and date is 
maintained by DOE. For administrative purposes only, and in compliance 
with requirements of the Office of the Federal Register, the 
undersigned DOE Federal Register Liaison Officer has been authorized to 
sign and submit the document in electronic format for publication, as 
an official document of the Department of Energy.
    This administrative process in no way alters the legal effect of 
this document upon publication in the Federal Register.

    Signed in Washington, DC, on December 19, 2024.
Jennifer Hartzell,
Alternate Federal Register Liaison Officer, U.S. Department of Energy.
[FR Doc. 2024-30795 Filed 12-26-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6450-01-P
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