80 FR 79649 - Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Issuing or Modifying Launch Licenses for Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) Falcon Launch Vehicle Landings at Landing Complex-1 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 245 (December 22, 2015)

Page Range		79649-79649
FR Document		2015-32158

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), Council on Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500 to 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of a FONSI, based on the analysis and findings of the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) December 2014 Environmental Assessment for the Space Exploration Technologies Vertical Landing of the Falcon Vehicle and Construction at Launch Complex 13 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Florida (EA). Subsequent to the USAF issuing the EA, Launch Complex-13 was renamed to Landing Complex-1 (LC-1).

Federal Register, Volume 80 Issue 245 (Tuesday, December 22, 2015)

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 245 (Tuesday, December 22, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 79649]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2015-32158]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Notice of Availability 
of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Issuing or 
Modifying Launch Licenses for Space Exploration Technologies Corp. 
(SpaceX) Falcon Launch Vehicle Landings at Landing Complex-1 at Cape 
Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Florida

AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of 
Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of availability of the FONSI.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 
1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), Council on 
Environmental Quality NEPA implementing regulations (40 Code of Federal 
Regulations [CFR] parts 1500 to 1508), and FAA Order 1050.1F, 
Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing 
the availability of a FONSI, based on the analysis and findings of the 
U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) December 2014 Environmental Assessment for 
the Space Exploration Technologies Vertical Landing of the Falcon 
Vehicle and Construction at Launch Complex 13 at Cape Canaveral Air 
Force Station Florida (EA). Subsequent to the USAF issuing the EA, 
Launch Complex-13 was renamed to Landing Complex-1 (LC-1).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, Environmental 
Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW., 
Room 325, Washington, DC 20591; email [email protected]; or 
phone (202) 267-5924.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA participated as a cooperating agency 
with the USAF in the preparation of the EA, which evaluated the 
potential environmental impacts of SpaceX conducting vertical landings 
of a Falcon launch vehicle first stage at LC-1 at CCAFS, as well as 
related construction. Landings could include a Falcon 9 first stage or 
a single core of a Falcon Heavy first stage. The National Aeronautics 
and Space Administration also participated as a cooperating agency in 
the preparation of the EA.
    As the Proposed Action would require Federal actions (as defined in 
40 CFR 1508.18) involving the USAF and the FAA, the EA was prepared to 
satisfy the NEPA obligations of both agencies. The USAF issued a FONSI 
on January 8, 2015, which stated that the potential environmental 
impacts associated with the Proposed Action would not individually or 
cumulatively have a significant impact on the quality of the human 
environment, and therefore the preparation of an environmental impact 
statement (EIS) was not required. The FAA has formally adopted the EA 
and also issued a FONSI to support the issuance of new launch licenses 
or modify existing launch licenses to allow SpaceX to conduct Falcon 
landings at LC-1.
    The Proposed Action analyzed in the EA consists of SpaceX 
conducting Falcon landings at LC-1 and construction activities, 
including land clearing, construction of landing pads, and supporting 
infrastructure modifications at LC-1. SpaceX anticipates no more than 
12 landings per year (one per month). Operations at LC-1 would also 
include post-flight landing and safing activities. The FAA's Proposed 
Action is to issue new launch licenses or modify existing launch 
licenses to allow SpaceX to conduct vertical landings of a Falcon 
launch vehicle first stage at CCAFS. Alternatives analyzed as part of 
the FONSI include the Proposed Action and the No Action Alternative. 
Under the No Action Alternative, the FAA would not issue or modify 
launch licenses to allow SpaceX to conduct Falcon landings at CCAFS. 
The Falcon first stage would continue to land in the Atlantic Ocean.
    Based on its independent review and consideration, the FAA issued a 
FONSI concurring with the analysis of impacts and findings in the EA 
and formally adopting the EA to support issuing new launch licenses or 
modifying existing launch licenses to allow SpaceX to conduct vertical 
landings of a Falcon launch vehicle first stage at CCAFS. After 
reviewing and analyzing available data and information on existing 
conditions, potential impacts, and measures to mitigate those impacts, 
the FAA has determined that issuing or modifying launch licenses to 
allow SpaceX to conduct vertical landings of a Falcon launch vehicle 
first stage at CCAFS is a Federal action that would not significantly 
affect the quality of the human environment within the meaning of NEPA. 
Therefore, the preparation of an EIS is not required, and the FAA has 
issued a FONSI. The FAA made this determination in accordance with all 
applicable environmental laws and FAA regulations.
    The FAA has posted the EA and FONSI on the internet at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/environmental/nepa_docs/review/launch/.

    Issued in Washington, DC, on December 15, 2015.
 Daniel Murray,
Manager, Space Transportation Development Division.
[FR Doc. 2015-32158 Filed 12-21-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-13-P

Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 245 / Tuesday, December 22, 2015 / Notices 79649

provided public notice and opportunity issuing the EA, Launch Complex-13 was Based on its independent review and
for comment. renamed to Landing Complex-1 (LC–1). consideration, the FAA issued a FONSI
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. concurring with the analysis of impacts
Office of Europe, Western Hemisphere Daniel Czelusniak, Environmental and findings in the EA and formally
and Africa, Bureau of Energy Resources, Specialist, Federal Aviation adopting the EA to support issuing new
U.S. Department of State, (ENR/EDP/ Administration, 800 Independence Ave. launch licenses or modifying existing
EWA), 2201 C St. NW., Ste. 4843, SW., Room 325, Washington, DC 20591; launch licenses to allow SpaceX to
Washington, DC 20520. Attn: Deputy email Daniel.Czelusniak@faa.gov; or conduct vertical landings of a Falcon
Director. Tel: 202–647–2041. phone (202) 267–5924. launch vehicle first stage at CCAFS.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
After reviewing and analyzing available
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA data and information on existing
Additional information concerning the participated as a cooperating agency
Vantage pipeline facilities can be found conditions, potential impacts, and
with the USAF in the preparation of the measures to mitigate those impacts, the
at http://www.state.gov/e/enr/applicant/ EA, which evaluated the potential
applicants/pembina/index.htm. FAA has determined that issuing or
environmental impacts of SpaceX modifying launch licenses to allow
Documents related to the Department of conducting vertical landings of a Falcon
State’s review of the application for a SpaceX to conduct vertical landings of
launch vehicle first stage at LC–1 at a Falcon launch vehicle first stage at
Presidential Permit can be found at CCAFS, as well as related construction.
http://www.state.gov/e/enr/applicant. CCAFS is a Federal action that would
Landings could include a Falcon 9 first not significantly affect the quality of the
Dated: December 7, 2015. stage or a single core of a Falcon Heavy human environment within the meaning
Chris Davy, first stage. The National Aeronautics of NEPA. Therefore, the preparation of
Deputy Director, Energy Resources Bureau, and Space Administration also an EIS is not required, and the FAA has
Energy Diplomacy, (ENR/EDP/EWA), Bureau participated as a cooperating agency in issued a FONSI. The FAA made this
of Energy Resources, U.S. Department of the preparation of the EA. determination in accordance with all
State. As the Proposed Action would require applicable environmental laws and FAA
[FR Doc. 2015–31873 Filed 12–21–15; 8:45 am] Federal actions (as defined in 40 CFR regulations.
BILLING CODE 4710–AE–P 1508.18) involving the USAF and the The FAA has posted the EA and
FAA, the EA was prepared to satisfy the FONSI on the internet at http://
NEPA obligations of both agencies. The www.faa.gov/about/office_org/
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION USAF issued a FONSI on January 8, headquarters_offices/ast/
2015, which stated that the potential environmental/nepa_docs/review/
Federal Aviation Administration environmental impacts associated with launch/.
the Proposed Action would not Issued in Washington, DC, on December
Office of Commercial Space individually or cumulatively have a 15, 2015.
Transportation; Notice of Availability significant impact on the quality of the
of the Finding of No Significant Impact Daniel Murray,
human environment, and therefore the
(FONSI) for Issuing or Modifying Manager, Space Transportation Development
preparation of an environmental impact Division.
Launch Licenses for Space statement (EIS) was not required. The
Exploration Technologies Corp. [FR Doc. 2015–32158 Filed 12–21–15; 8:45 am]
FAA has formally adopted the EA and
(SpaceX) Falcon Launch Vehicle also issued a FONSI to support the BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
Landings at Landing Complex-1 at issuance of new launch licenses or
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station modify existing launch licenses to allow
(CCAFS), Florida DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
SpaceX to conduct Falcon landings at
AGENCY: Federal Aviation LC–1. Federal Aviation Administration
Administration (FAA), Department of The Proposed Action analyzed in the
Transportation (DOT). EA consists of SpaceX conducting Air Traffic Procedures Advisory
Falcon landings at LC–1 and Committee
ACTION: Notice of availability of the
FONSI. construction activities, including land
AGENCY: Federal Aviation
clearing, construction of landing pads,
Administration (FAA), DOT.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the and supporting infrastructure
National Environmental Policy Act of modifications at LC–1. SpaceX ACTION: Notice of meeting.
1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United anticipates no more than 12 landings
SUMMARY: The FAA is issuing this notice
States Code 4321 et seq.), Council on per year (one per month). Operations at
to advise the public that a meeting of
Environmental Quality NEPA LC–1 would also include post-flight
the Federal Aviation Administration Air
implementing regulations (40 Code of landing and safing activities. The FAA’s
Traffic Procedures Advisory Committee
Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500 to Proposed Action is to issue new launch
(ATPAC) will be held to review present
1508), and FAA Order 1050.1F, licenses or modify existing launch
air traffic control procedures and
Environmental Impacts: Policies and licenses to allow SpaceX to conduct
practices for standardization, revision,
Procedures, the FAA is announcing the vertical landings of a Falcon launch
clarification, and upgrading of
availability of a FONSI, based on the vehicle first stage at CCAFS.
terminology and procedures.
mstockstill on DSK4VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES

analysis and findings of the U.S. Air Alternatives analyzed as part of the
Force’s (USAF’s) December 2014 FONSI include the Proposed Action and DATES: The meeting will be held
Environmental Assessment for the the No Action Alternative. Under the No Tuesday, February 23, 2016 from 12:45
Space Exploration Technologies Action Alternative, the FAA would not p.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday,
Vertical Landing of the Falcon Vehicle issue or modify launch licenses to allow February 24, 2016 from 8:45 a.m. to 4:30
and Construction at Launch Complex 13 SpaceX to conduct Falcon landings at p.m.
at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station CCAFS. The Falcon first stage would ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at
Florida (EA). Subsequent to the USAF continue to land in the Atlantic Ocean. CGH Technologies, Inc., 600 Maryland

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Document Created: 2015-12-22 02:31:52
Document Modified: 2015-12-22 02:31:52

Category		Regulatory Information
Collection		Federal Register
sudoc Class		AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106:
Publisher		Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration
Section		Notices
Action		Notice of availability of the FONSI.
Contact		Mr. Daniel Czelusniak, Environmental Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW., Room 325, Washington, DC 20591; email [email protected]; or phone (202) 267-5924.
FR Citation		80 FR 79649

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATIONFederal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 80, Issue 245 (December 22, 2015)

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration