11 February 1998 Source: http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/aces/aces140.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- [Federal Register: February 11, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 28)] [Notices] [Page 6914-6915] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr11fe98-33] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Office of the Secretary Preparation of a Draft Theater Missile Defense Extended Test Range Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement; Eglin Gulf Test Range AGENCY: DOD, Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO). ACTION: Notice of availability (NOA). ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This notifies the public that BMDO is issuing a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement (DSEIS) for the Eglin Gulf Test Range (EGTR). The DSEIS assesses the potential impacts associated with developmental and operational flight testing of Theater Missile Defense (TMD) systems. The proposed action and alternatives would allow for the development and testing of TMD systems to protect U.S. forces, friends, and allies around the world from attacks by ballistic missiles. As the Executing Agent, the Air Force Development Test Center (AFDTC), Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, is managing the DSEIS for BMDO. The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC), Huntsville, Alabama, is preparing the DSEIS documentation for the AFDTC. The DSEIS analyzes additional missile launch and support locations, facility construction, launch preparation activities, missile flight tests, radar and optical tracking operations, and intercept tests in the Gulf of Mexico not analyzed in the TMD Extended Test Range Final Environmental Impact Statement, November 1994. The Record of Decision on the TMD Extended Test Range Final Environmental Impact Statement, March 21, 1995, documented only the selection of U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll, republic of the Marshall Islands, and the White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, for TMD tests. However, additional interceptor and target missile launch options have been identified for the EGTR. These additional alternatives are within treaty and technology limitations. The EGTR alternatives would provide greater flexibility in test scenarios than is possible if testing remains limited to existing ranges, and would permit more realistic testing of TMD interceptor systems. Copies of the TMD Extended test Range Final Environmental Impact Statement, are available at various locations within the interested communities. The exact locations can be provided by contacting the point of contact listed below. The purpose of expanding the EGTR's missile defense testing capability is to [[Page 6915]] realistically test TMD systems to validate their capability to intercept enemy missiles with the capability of ranges up to 1,100- kilometers (684 miles). Testing with both target and interceptor launch facilities within the continental United States and its adjacent waters would provide a cost-effective, flexible, long-term means of meeting current and future TMD requirements. Environmental issues analyzed in the DSEIS for the EGTR include: air quality; airspace control; biological resources (such as threatened or endangered species and wetlands); cultural resources; geology and soils; hazardous materials and waste; safety and health; land use; noise; socio-economic; transportation; utilities; visual and aesthetics; and water resources. Lead Agency: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization. Cooperating Agencies: Department of the Air Force Department of the Army Department of the Navy Federal Aviation Administration Department of Interior U.S. Coast Guard Proposed Action The BMDO proposes to establish the capability to conduct missile defense testing against targets simulating threat systems having the capability of ranges up to 1,100-kilometers (684 miles) with defensive missile intercepts over the Gulf of Mexico. Preferred Alternative The preferred alternative includes three main types of TMD activities: (a) Target launches from land at Eglin AFB and/or from aircraft above the Gulf of Mexico; (b) Interceptor (defensive missile) launches from Eglin AFB and/or ships; and (c) Intercept of the target missile by the interceptor over the Gulf of Mexico and within the EGTR. The ground-launch locations evaluated at Eglin AFB are the Santa Rosa Island and Cape San Blas test locations. The air-launched locations evaluated include the airspace within the EGTR and other locations in the Gulf of Mexico within U.S. controlled airspace. Other Alternatives 1. Florida Keys Target Launches As an alternative to the air launch and Eglin AFB target launch sites, the ground-launch locations evaluated in the Florida Keys are Department of Defense controlled areas at Saddlebunch and Cudjoe Keys. These locations, along with Boca Chica, Dredger, Sugarloaf, and Fleming Keys, are also evaluated to support missile tracking and sensor activities. 2. Ship-based Target Launches In addition to the air launch and Eglin AFB target launch sites, targets launched from ships located within the EGTR and other locations in the Gulf of Mexico are evaluated in the DSEIS. 3. Platform-based Interceptor Launches In addition to the Eglin AFB interceptor launch sites, interceptors launched from platforms located offshore from the Santa Rosa Island and Cape San Blas test locations are evaluated in the DSEIS. 4. No Action In addition to the above alternatives, the No Action Alternative is considered for evaluation in the DSEIS. Information/Comments Information on the proposed action is available at the following internet address; http://tw1.eglin.af.mil/46mtd/tmd.htm. Individuals or organizations may provide comments by: using E-Mail to submit questions and comments, tmd@eglin.af.mil; or sending written comments to: Ms. Linda Ninh, 46 OG/OGM-TMD, 205 West D Ave., Suite 241, Eglin AFB, Florida 32578-6866. In addition, individuals or organizations may offer verbal or written comments at public hearings to be held between 7:00 and 10:00 p.m. at the following Florida locations: Fort Walton Beach, Holiday Inn, 1110 Santa Rosa Blvd., March 9, 1998 Port St. Joe, Port St. Joe High School, 100 Sharp Drive, March 10, 1998 Key West, Harvey Government Center, 1200 Truman Ave, March 12, 1998 Marathon, Marathon Government Center, 2798 Overseas Hwy, March 13, 1998 Public comments are invited through April 3, 1998. Interested citizens and public officials will be able to receive pertinent information regarding the findings of the Draft SEIS at these meetings. The AFDTC intends to issue the Final SEIS in September 1998. Dated: February 5, 1998. L.M. Bynum, Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense. [FR Doc. 98-3354 Filed 2-10-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5000-04-M