[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27498-27499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12626]



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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY


Availability of the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test 
Facility Draft Environmental Impact Statement

AGENCY: Department of Energy.

ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability of 
the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), DOE/EIS-0228D, for public review 
and comment, and the dates, times and places for public hearings on the 
Draft EIS. The alternative actions analyzed in the Draft EIS would 
occur at the DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in northern 
New Mexico.

DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS are invited from the public. 
Comments must be postmarked by Monday, June 26, 1995, to ensure 
consideration; late comments will be considered to the extent 
practicable. The DOE will use the comments received to help prepare the 
final version of the DARHT EIS. Public hearings on the Draft EIS will 
be held as follows:

Wednesday, May 31, 1995, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 2:00pm-4:00pm and 
6:30pm-9:00pm, Los Alamos Inn, 2201 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, NM, 
(505) 662-7211.
Thursday, June 1, 1995, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:30pm-
9:00pm, High Mesa Inn, 3347 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM, (505) 473-
2800.

    The meetings will use a workshop format to facilitate dialogue 
among DOE, LANL, and the public and will provide opportunities for 
information exchange and discussion as well as submitting prepared 
statements.

ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Draft DARHT EIS, written comments 
on the Draft EIS, or other matters regarding this environmental review 
should be addressed to: Ms. Diana Webb, DARHT EIS Project Manager, Los 
Alamos Area Office, Department of Energy, 528 35th Street, Los Alamos, 
NM 87544. Ms. Webb may be contacted by telephone at (505) 665-6353 or 
by facsimile at (505) 665-1506.

 [[Page 27499]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general 
information on the DARHT project, interested parties may contact Ms. 
Webb at the address and phone number above. For general information on 
the DOE NEPA process, please contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, 
Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance, EH-42, Department of Energy, 1000 
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585. Ms. Borgstrom may be 
contacted by leaving a message at (800) 472-2756 or by calling (202) 
586-4600.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS was prepared pursuant to the 
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et 
seq., the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR 
1500) and the DOE NEPA regulations [10 CFR 1021].
    The Department proposes to provide enhanced high-resolution 
radiography (x-ray) capability for the purpose of performing 
hydrodynamic tests and dynamic experiments in support of its national 
defense mission. The enhanced radiography facility would be a key 
component of the Department's near-term science-based stockpile 
stewardship and management program. These hydrodynamic tests and 
dynamic experiments are required to assist DOE in ensuring the 
continued safety, security, and reliability of existing nuclear weapons 
as they age.
    The Draft DARHT EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of 
alternative ways to accomplish the proposed action. The DOE's preferred 
alternative would be to complete and operate the DARHT facility at LANL 
in northern New Mexico. Radiographic hydrodynamic testing is now 
conducted in two existing facilities within the DOE complex--a 30-year-
old facility at LANL, and a 10-year-old facility at the DOE's Lawrence 
Livermore National Laboratory in California. The Draft DARHT EIS 
compares the environmental impacts that would be expected to occur from 
continuing to operate existing facilities (the No Action Alternative) 
with the consequences that would be expected to occur if DOE 
implemented the Preferred Alternative or one of four other operational 
alternatives. The Draft EIS has a classified supplement that provides 
additional information and analysis. DOE has distributed copies of the 
Draft DARHT EIS to appropriate Congressional members and committees, 
the State of New Mexico, American Indian tribal governments, local 
county governments, other federal agencies, and other interested 
parties. DOE expects to complete the Final EIS in August 1995, and 
reach a Record of Decision in September 1995.

    Signed in Washington, D.C., this 17th day of May, 1995, for the 
United States Department of Energy.
Victor H. Reis,
Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-12626 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
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