[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 112 (Monday, June 10, 1996)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29429-29430]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-14624]



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NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

[Notice 96-059]


National Environmental Policy Act; International Space Station

AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

ACTION: Notice of availability of Tier 2 final environmental impact 
statement.

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SUMMARY: Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 
(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.), the Council on 
Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural 
Provisions of NEPA (40 CFR Parts 1500-1508), and NASA policy and 
procedures (14 CFR Part 1216, Subpart 1216.3), NASA has prepared and 
issued a Tier 2 final environmental impact statement (FEIS) for the 
International Space Station (ISS). The proposed action by NASA is to 
continue to provide U.S. participation in the assembly and operation of 
the ISS. This Tier 2 FEIS addresses changes to the Space Station 
program and potential environmental impacts that could not be addressed 
in detail at the time of the Tier 1 FEIS. These factors include 
modifications to the Space Station itself, its assembly and operation, 
an assessment of the probability and consequences of reentry into 
Earth's atmosphere, and an assessment of the proposed decommissioning 
plan.

DATES: NASA will take no final action on the proposed continued U.S. 
participation in the ISS program before July 10, 1996, or 30 days from 
the date of publication in the Federal Register of the U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency's notice of availability of the ISS 
Tier 2 FEIS, whichever is later.


[[Page 29430]]


ADDRESSES: The Tier 2 FEIS may be reviewed at the following locations:
    (a) NASA, Headquarters, Library, Room 1J20, 300 E Street SW., 
Washington DC 20546.
    (b) NASA, Johnson Space Center, Building 111, Industry Assistance 
Office, Houston, TX 77058.
    (c) Spaceport U.S.A., Room 2001, John F. Kennedy Space Center, FL 
32899. Please call Lisa Fowler beforehand at 407-867-2497 so that 
arrangements can be made.
    In addition, the Tier 2 FEIS may be examined at the following NASA 
locations by contacting the pertinent Freedom of Information Act 
Office:
    (d) NASA, Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035 (415-604-
4190).
    (e) NASA, Dryden Flight Research Center, Edwards, CA 93523 (805-
258-3448).
    (f) NASA, Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD 20771 (301-
286-0730).
    (g) Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Visitors Lobby, Building 249, 4800 
Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109 (818-354-5179).
    (h) NASA, Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23665 (804-864-
6125).
    (i) NASA, Lewis Research Center, 21000 Brookpark Road, Cleveland, 
OH 44135 (216-433-2313).
    (j) NASA, Marshall Space Flight Center, AL 35812 (205-544-5252).
    (k) NASA, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529 (601-688-2164).
    Limited copies of the Tier 2 FEIS are available, on a first request 
basis, by contacting David Ruszczyk at the address or telephone number 
indicated below.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Ruszczyk, NASA Johnson Space 
Center, Code OF, Houston, Texas 77058-3696; telephone 713-244-7756.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NASA issued the Final Tier 1 Environmental 
Impact Statement for Space Station Freedom in March 1991 (the ``Tier 1 
FEIS'') followed by the associated Record of Decision to proceed with 
full-scale design and development of the concept known as Space Station 
Freedom.
    At the time the Tier 1 FEIS was prepared, detailed design 
information was not available. As a consequence, some issues relating 
to the potential environmental effects of Space Station Freedom were 
deferred to the Tier 2 environmental impact statement. These issues 
included the impacts of any significant design modifications that might 
be incorporated as the design matured, and a quantitative analysis of 
the probability and consequences of inadvertent reentry into the 
Earth's atmosphere during assembly and operation. Other issues that 
were deferred included venting of nontoxic gases during operation and 
change to a hydrazine propulsion system.
    The proposed action considered in this Tier 2 FEIS and NASA's 
preferred alternative is to continue to provide U.S. participation in 
the implementation of assembly and operation of the ISS. The Tier 2 
FEIS considers the alternative to the proposed action, the ``No-
Action'' alternative (i.e., cancellation of U.S. participation in the 
ISS program).
    Comments on the ISS Tier 2 draft environmental impact statement 
have been solicited from Federal, State, and local agencies, 
organizations, and members of the general public through: (a) notices 
published in the Federal Register--NASA notice on December 6, 1995 (60 
FR 62480), and EPA notice on December 8, 1995 (60 FR 63044); and (b) 
direct mailings to interested parties. Comments received have been 
addressed in the Tier 2 FEIS.

    Dated: June 5, 1996.
Benita A. Cooper,
Associate Administrator for Management Systems and Facilities.
[FR Doc. 96-14624 Filed 6-7-96; 8:45 am]
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