[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 184 (Monday, September 22, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 54656-54659]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-22020]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Finding of No
Significant Impact
AGENCY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTIONS: Finding of No Significant Impact.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), in cooperation with
the United States Air Force (USAF), prepared an Environmental
Assessment (EA) to evaluate Space Florida's proposal to operate a
commercial launch site at Launch Complex 46 (LC-46) at Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Florida. The EA evaluated the potential
environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action and
alternatives regarding the issuance of a Launch Site Operator License
to Space Florida for LC-46 at CCAFS. After reviewing and analyzing
currently available data and information on existing conditions and
project impacts, the FAA has determined that issuing a Launch Site
Operator License to Space Florida for the operation of a commercial
launch site at LC-46 would not significantly impact the quality of the
human environment within the meaning of the National Environmental
Policy Act. Therefore, the preparation of an Environmental Impact
Statement is not required, and the FAA is issuing a Finding of No
Significant Impact. The FAA made this determination in accordance with
all applicable environmental laws.
For a Copy of the Environmental Assessment: Visit the following
Internet address: http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/licenses_permits/launch_site/environmental/ or contact
Ms. Stacey M. Zee, FAA Environmental Specialist, 800 Independence
Avenue, SW., Room 331, Washington, DC 20591. You may also send e-mail
requests to [email protected] or via telephone to (202) 267-9305.
Purpose and Need: The purpose of the FAA's action in issuing the
Launch Site Operator License is to ensure compliance with international
obligations of the United States and to protect the public health and
safety, safety of property, and national security and foreign policy
interest of the United States during commercial launch or reentry
activities; to encourage, facilitate, and promote commercial
[[Page 54657]]
space launches and re-entries by the private sector; and to facilitate
the strengthening and expansion of the United States space
transportation infrastructure, in accordance with the requirements of
the Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004, the Commercial
Space Transportation Act of 2000, Executive Order (EO) 12465, 14 Code
of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 400-450, the National Space
Transportation Policy, and the National Space Policy.
The Proposed Action is needed to meet the demand for lower cost
access to space. Less expensive space launch capability is necessary to
support rising industries, such as more cost-effective commercial,
governmental, and scientific satellite launches. Given the
infrastructure and development costs associated with constructing
launch facilities, the Federal government has been the owner/operator
or has leased/sold unused or excess infrastructure and provided
expertise to commercial launch operators for the majority of commercial
launches. The Secretary of Transportation has assigned the FAA Office
of Commercial Space Transportation responsibility, under the Commercial
Space Launch Amendment Acts and EO 12465, for oversight of commercial
space launch activities, including licensing of launch and reentry
sites.
Proposed Action: Under the Proposed Action, the FAA would issue a
Launch Site Operator License for LC-46 to Space Florida. LC-46 is owned
by the USAF's 45th Space Wing. Space Florida and the 45th Space Wing
have a Memorandum of Agreement and Joint Operating Procedures, which
allow Space Florida to conduct launch activities at the site. A Launch
Site Operator License, which is valid for five years, would allow Space
Florida to offer the site for launches of solid- and liquid-propellant
launch vehicles. Potential commercial launch vehicle operators would be
required to obtain a Launch License from the FAA to conduct launch
operations at LC-46 on CCAFS.
Under the Proposed Action, Space Florida would offer the launch
site to launch operators for several types of vertical launch vehicles,
including Athena-1 and Athena-2, Minotaur, Taurus, Falcon 1, Alliant
Techsystems small launch vehicles and launches of other Castor[supreg]
120-based or Minuteman-derivative booster vehicles. Space Florida
proposes to support a maximum of 24 annual launches, including 12 solid
propellant launches and 12 liquid propellant launches. The proposed
launch vehicles and their payloads would be launched into low earth
orbit or geostationary orbit. All vehicles are expected to carry
payloads, including satellites.
The Proposed Action does not include any construction or
modification to the site. Launches would be conducted using existing
infrastructure. Periodic maintenance, such as mowing or repairs, would
occur on the site to ensure launch safety. To ensure the safety of all
launch activities, the site would require minor repairs.
Alternatives Considered: Alternatives analyzed in the EA include
(1) the Proposed Action and (2) the No Action Alternative. Under the No
Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue the Launch Site Operator
License to Space Florida. Launch operators may be able to conduct
launch activities at LC-46; however, operations would be controlled by
the 45th Space Wing of the USAF. Other activities, such as military
exercises at CCAFS would not be impacted.
Environmental Impacts
Air Quality
Emissions of any criteria pollutants associated with the Proposed
Action would be well below Federal de minimis levels and would not be
expected to cause exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality
Standards or Florida Ambient Air Quality Standards. Emissions of carbon
dioxide (CO2) to the stratosphere under the Proposed Action
would be negligible in comparison with U.S. annual emissions of
CO2, and therefore would not have a significant impact on
global climate change. Emissions of water vapor (H2O) to the
stratosphere under the Proposed Action would not have a significant
impact on global climate change due to the large number of natural and
anthropogenic sources of H2O. Carbon monoxide (CO) and
nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions in the stratosphere would be
extremely small relative to U.S. annual emissions; therefore, the
presence of these chemicals in rocket emissions associated with the
Proposed Action would have a negligible impact on global climate
change. Significant impacts to ozone from particulate (aluminum oxide)
emissions and hydrochloric acid are not anticipated under the Proposed
Action.
Biological Resources--Fish, Wildlife, Plants, and Special Status
Species
The Proposed Action would not have a significant impact on
terrestrial vegetation and wildlife. Localized foliar scorching and
spotting would not be expected to cause long-term damage to vegetation.
Birds and terrestrial mammals in the immediate area could suffer
startle responses during launch activities. However, it is expected
that birds and terrestrial mammals would return to pre-launch
conditions soon after the launch. Terrestrial mammals could also
experience temporary threshold shift effects. However, these effects
would be temporary and would not have significant impacts on local
populations.
Acidification of nearby surface water due to launch emissions would
not be expected to adversely affect aquatic habitats since the area is
subjected to wind-blown salt spray and mixing with the open ocean. In
the unlikely event of a launch failure, remaining propellant would be
quickly diluted within the ocean. Direct strikes on aquatic species,
such as marine mammal, turtle, or fish, due to a launch failure or an
aborted launch relating to the Proposed Action are very unlikely. Sonic
booms would not be expected to negatively impact the survival of any
marine species because of their low frequency, the low density of
marine species in the ocean's surface water, and the distance of the
sonic boom footprint from CCAFS.
Minimal impacts on endangered, threatened, and special status
species are anticipated under the Proposed Action. No native habitats
would be cleared or directly impacted. Lights from launch activities
may adversely affect the sea turtle population along the Atlantic
coastline. Light management plans would be developed to minimize these
impacts. The majority of effects from launch activities would be short-
term, of relatively low intensity, and would occur relatively
infrequently due to the launch rate.
Water Resources (Surface Water, Ground Water, Floodplains, and
Wetlands)
Short-term and long-term adverse impacts to surface water quality
resulting from the launch exhaust cloud would not be significant due to
the relatively high salinities and predictable pH stabilities of
estuarine and ocean waters. The pH level of near-field surface water
may decline for a period of time. However, pre-launch conditions are
expected to return within several hours. Short-term impacts to near
shore environments could occur as a result of contamination from rocket
propellant associated with a launch anomaly. However, long-term impacts
would not be significant due to the buffering capacity of the Atlantic
Ocean and Banana River. Release of residual propellant from the Falcon
1's recoverable first stage upon impact with
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the ocean would not significantly affect water quality because of the
small volume of this release into the open ocean. Emergency response
and clean-up procedures would reduce the magnitude and duration of any
impacts to ground water from an on-pad accidental or emergency
propellant release.
Ground water is not expected to be impacted by the Proposed Action.
The proposed launches are not expected to interfere with the current
remedial action occurring on the site. Additionally, potential emission
deposition of hydrochloric acid from the launches is expected to be
relatively minor. Leaching acid storm water would be diluted quickly in
the ground water system.
Major short-term and long-term impacts to floodplains and wetlands
from the launch exhaust cloud would not be expected due to the low
probability of a storm event after a launch. Emergency response and
clean-up procedures would reduce the magnitude and duration of any
impacts to floodplains and wetlands from accidental propellant
releases.
Noise
The annual Day Night Average Sound Level (DNL) of the Proposed
Action at the City of Cape Canaveral would be substantially lower than
65 DNL. The Proposed Action is not expected to have a significant noise
impact on the surrounding areas. The annual C-weighted DNL (CDNL) of
the Proposed Action at the City of Cape Canaveral would be
substantially lower than 61 CDNL. Sonic booms associated with the
Proposed Action are not expected to have a significant impact on the
surrounding areas. The magnitude of sonic booms associated with the
Proposed Action would be well below 10 pounds per square foot and would
occur over the ocean; therefore, no structural damage impacts are
expected. Additionally, sonic booms would not have a significant impact
on marine animals.
Compatible Land Use (Section 4(f) Lands, Light Emissions, and Visual
Resources, and Coastal Resources)
Implementation of the Proposed Action would not change any planned
or existing land use designations. There are no Section 4(f) lands
located at LC-46. The nearest site is located five miles southwest of
the launch site. Launch activities and effects would be contained
within the boundaries of LC-46; therefore, no impacts are expected on
Section 4(f) lands. The Proposed Action does not involve construction
or development, and is similar to existing activities at LC-46;
therefore, there would not be any new or additional visual resource
impacts, or any coastal resource impacts. Light emissions would be
minimized through the use of low-pressure sodium light fixtures,
shielding of lights, and special light management steps where lights
are visible from the beach.
Socioeconomic Resources
Additional personnel for launch-related activities would not
increase the demand for existing services, including housing, hotels,
restaurants, and transportation, in Brevard County. The Proposed Action
would not necessitate the relocation of local residents or businesses.
Traffic would not be significantly affected during pre- and post-launch
activities. Launches may increase tourism in the region, and there may
be a slight short-term positive impact on socioeconomic resources from
additional tourism.
Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste, and Pollution Prevention
The primary hazardous materials used under the Proposed Action
would be propellants. In addition to the propellants, other hazardous
materials (e.g., various composites, synthetics, and metals) may be
used for rocket operation, including solvents, oils, and paints. All
hazardous materials and hazardous waste would be handled and disposed
of in accordance with the CCAFS Environmental Standards and Safety
Standards and Space Florida's Hazardous Waste Management Plan.
Hazardous waste streams anticipated to be generated by the Proposed
Action are typical of other hazardous waste streams in Florida. The
Proposed Action would not be expected to generate more hazardous waste
than can be safely handled by CCAFS and existing hazardous waste
management plans would not be expected to change.
Solid waste would be expected to increase slightly with the
increase in launches. The amount of solid waste generated would be
handled under existing collection and disposal operations.
Space Florida would develop a Pollution Prevention Management Plan,
in coordination with CCAFS' pollution prevention plans and goals, to
comply with all local, State, and Federal regulations.
Cumulative Impacts
Cumulative impacts are ``the incremental impact of the actions when
added to other past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future action
regardless of what agency (Federal or non-Federal) or person undertakes
such other actions'' (40 CFR 1508.7). For this analysis, cumulative
impacts include impacts from the vehicles that would be launched under
Space Florida's license and the past, present, and reasonably
foreseeable future activities that would affect the resources impacted
by the Proposed Action. The following summary discusses the cumulative
impacts from present and reasonably foreseeable actions at CCAFS and in
the surrounding areas, including Kennedy Space Center and the Merritt
Island National Wildlife Refuge. These activities may potentially
affect the same resources as the Proposed Action within the life of the
Proposed Action (2008-2013).
Air Quality
The Proposed Action, in addition to the past, present, and
reasonably foreseeable actions in the project area, would result in a
minor, temporary increase in air emissions in an area that is currently
in attainment for all criteria pollutants. The emissions of greenhouse
gases and ozone depleting substances would be extremely small in the
context of national and global emissions. Because these impacts would
be minor and temporary, the incremental contribution to cumulative air
quality impacts from the Proposed Action would not be significant.
Biological Resources (Fish, Wildlife, Plants, and Special Status
Species)
The impacts from the Proposed Action would likely be less than at
other launch pads since the vehicles are relatively small, resulting in
less noise, air emissions, and scorching, and would only be launched
approximately twice per month. Because the Proposed Action would create
minimal artificial light at night, it would not significantly impact
nearby sea turtle hatchlings. The impacts to biological resources would
be temporary and relatively infrequent; therefore, the incremental
contribution to cumulative biological impacts from the Proposed Action
would not be significant.
Water Resources (Surface Water, Ground Water, Floodplains, and
Wetlands)
The Proposed Action's water requirements would not affect operating
requirements of other programs in the project's vicinity, and would
have a minimal effect on cumulative water supply. Because the Proposed
Action would have a minor and temporary impact on the water resources
of the affected region, the incremental
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contribution to cumulative water resource impacts from the Proposed
Action would not be significant.
Noise
The area surrounding the project has a long history of commercial
space rocket and NASA space shuttle launches resulting launch-related
noise. Noise impacts associated with launch activities in the area
would be brief and temporary. Because these projects have minor and
temporary noise impacts, the incremental contribution to cumulative
noise impacts from the Proposed Action would not be significant.
Land Use (Section 4(f), Visual Resources, and Coastal Resources)
The area surrounding the project has historically been used for
launching rockets and NASA space shuttles and contains launch
infrastructure and associated facilities for those past and present
actions. The Proposed Action would have no effect on coastal resources,
Section 4(f) resources, or compatible land use; therefore, the
incremental contribution to cumulative land use impacts from the
Proposed Action would not be significant.
Socioeconomic Resources
The project area has long been used by the commercial space
industry and NASA for space shuttle launches. All projects in the
Proposed Action area would have small, positive socioeconomic impacts.
The incremental contribution to cumulative socioeconomic impacts from
the Proposed Action would not be significant.
Hazardous Materials, Solid Waste, and Pollution Prevention
The area surrounding the project has a long history of commercial
space rocket and NASA space shuttle launches, and past and present
actions have required the use and handling of hazardous materials.
Cumulative impacts from hazardous materials and hazardous waste
management could occur on the portions of CCAFS with historic soil and
ground water contamination, including LC-46. However, significant
cumulative impacts are not expected due to the remediation activities
that have been completed at the site.
Relationship between Short-Term Uses and Long-Term Productivity
Under the Proposed Action, there would be short-term impacts to the
environment; however, none of these impacts would be long-term or
significant. As a result, the Proposed Action is not expected to narrow
the range of beneficial uses of the environment in the long-term or
pose a long-term risk to human health or safety.
Irreversible and Irretrievable Commitment of Resources
Under the Proposed Action, no irreversible or irretrievable
commitment of resources is expected to occur in any of the
environmental resource areas analyzed in this EA. The Proposed Action
would expend solid and liquid propellants; however, the amounts of
propellants and other materials that would be expended as part of the
Proposed Action are negligible compared to the quantities routinely
produced. No construction activities would occur and launches at the
site would be of a small-scale and would occur relatively infrequently.
As a result, no significant irreversible or irretrievable commitment of
resources is expected.
Determination: An analysis of the Proposed Action has concluded
that there are no significant short-term, long-term, or cumulative
effects to the environment or surrounding populations. After careful
and thorough consideration of the facts herein, the undersigned finds
that the proposed Federal action is consistent with existing national
environmental policies and objectives set forth in Section 101(a) of
the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and that it will not
significantly affect the quality of the human environment or otherwise
include any condition requiring additional consultation pursuant to
Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act. Therefore,
an Environmental Impact Statement for the Proposed Action is not
required.
Issued in Washington, DC on September 2, 2008.
George Nield,
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. E8-22020 Filed 9-19-08; 8:45 am]
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