81 FR 78896 - Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Adoption and Notice of Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Boost-back and Landing of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust First Stage at SLC-4 West at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and Offshore Landing Contingency Option

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration

Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 217 (November 9, 2016)

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United States Code 4321 et seq.), Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) 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 adoption of, and availability of a FONSI for, the U.S. Air Force's (USAF's) Environmental Assessment, Boost-Back and Landing of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust First Stage at SLC-4 West, Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and Offshore Landing Contingency Option (EA).

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 217 (Wednesday, November 9, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Page 78896]
From the Federal Register Online  [www.thefederalregister.org]
[FR Doc No: 2016-27092]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Aviation Administration


Office of Commercial Space Transportation; Adoption and Notice of 
Availability of the Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) for Boost-
back and Landing of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust First Stage at SLC-4 West 
at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California and Offshore Landing 
Contingency Option

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 (CEQ) 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 adoption of, and availability of a FONSI for, the U.S. Air Force's 
(USAF's) Environmental Assessment, Boost-Back and Landing of the Falcon 
9 Full Thrust First Stage at SLC-4 West, Vandenberg Air Force Base, 
California and Offshore Landing Contingency Option (EA).

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 USAF acted as the lead agency, and the 
FAA was a cooperating agency, in the preparation of the EA. The EA 
analyzed the potential environmental impacts of Space Exploration 
Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) constructing a landing pad and improving 
infrastructure at Space Launch Complex 4 West (SLC-4W) at Vandenberg 
Air Force Base (VAFB), as well as conducting boost-backs and landings 
of the Falcon 9 first stage booster at SLC-4W or on a special-purpose 
barge, no less than 31 miles offshore in the Pacific Ocean. The EA was 
prepared in accordance with NEPA, CEQ NEPA implementing regulations, 
the USAF's Environmental Impact Analysis Process (32 CFR 989), and FAA 
Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures.
    As the activities considered in the EA would require Federal 
actions (as defined in 40 CFR 1508.18) involving the USAF and FAA, the 
EA was prepared to satisfy the NEPA obligations of both agencies. The 
FAA's Federal action in this matter pertains to its role in issuing 
licenses for the operation of commercial launch and reentry vehicles at 
launch sites. The USAF issued a FONSI on April 26, 2016, which stated 
that implementing the Proposed Action would not have a significant 
effect on the human environment. Based upon its independent review and 
consideration of the EA, the FAA formally adopts the EA--concurring 
with the EA's analysis of impacts and findings--and issues a FONSI to 
support the issuance of launch licenses to SpaceX for Falcon 9 boost-
back and landing operations at VAFB or in the Pacific Ocean. If, in 
their license application to the FAA, SpaceX makes changes to their 
operations which fall outside the scope of the EA, additional 
environmental review would be required prior to the FAA issuing a 
license associated with such an application.
    After reviewing and analyzing available data and information on 
existing conditions and potential impacts, the FAA has determined that 
issuing launch licenses to SpaceX for Falcon 9 boost-back and landing 
operations at VAFB or in the Pacific Ocean is a Federal action that 
would not significantly affect the quality of the human environment 
within the meaning of NEPA. The FAA made this determination in 
accordance with all applicable environmental laws and FAA regulations.
    The FAA has posted the 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: November 2, 2016.
 Daniel Murray,
Manager, Space Transportation Development Division.
[FR Doc. 2016-27092 Filed 11-8-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4310-13-P