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)
Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 217 (November 9, 2016)
| Page Range | 78896-78896 | |
| FR Document | 2016-27092 |
[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] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 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
![78896 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 217 / Wednesday, November 9, 2016 / Notices
Issued in Renton, Washington, on October CEQ NEPA implementing regulations, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
28, 2016. the USAF’s Environmental Impact
Jason Ritchie, [Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0114]
Analysis Process (32 CFR 989), and FAA
Acting Manager, Airports Division, Northwest Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: National Highway Traffic Safety
Mountain Region. Policies and Procedures. Administration; Meeting Notice
[FR Doc. 2016–27095 Filed 11–8–16; 8:45 am]
As the activities considered in the EA AGENCY: National Highway Traffic
BILLING CODE 4910–13–P
would require Federal actions (as Safety Administration (NHTSA), U.S.
defined in 40 CFR 1508.18) involving Department of Transportation (DOT).
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION the USAF and FAA, the EA was Title: National Emergency Medical
prepared to satisfy the NEPA obligations Services Advisory Council (NEMSAC);
Federal Aviation Administration of both agencies. The FAA’s Federal Notice of Federal Advisory Committee
action in this matter pertains to its role Meeting.
Office of Commercial Space in issuing licenses for the operation of ACTION: Meeting Notice—National
Transportation; Adoption and Notice of commercial launch and reentry vehicles Emergency Medical Services Advisory
Availability of the Finding of No at launch sites. The USAF issued a Council.
Significant Impact (FONSI) for Boost- FONSI on April 26, 2016, which stated
back and Landing of the Falcon 9 Full that implementing the Proposed Action SUMMARY: The NHTSA announces
Thrust First Stage at SLC–4 West at would not have a significant effect on meeting of NEMSAC to be held in the
Vandenberg Air Force Base, California Metropolitan Washington, DC, area.
the human environment. Based upon its
and Offshore Landing Contingency This notice announces the date, time,
independent review and consideration
Option and location of the meetings, which will
of the EA, the FAA formally adopts the
AGENCY: Federal Aviation be open to the public, as well as
EA—concurring with the EA’s analysis
Administration (FAA), Department of opportunities for public input to the
of impacts and findings—and issues a
Transportation (DOT). NEMSAC. The purpose of NEMSAC, a
FONSI to support the issuance of launch nationally recognized council of
ACTION: Notice of availability of the licenses to SpaceX for Falcon 9 boost- emergency medical services
FONSI. back and landing operations at VAFB or representatives and consumers, is to
in the Pacific Ocean. If, in their license advise and consult with DOT and the
SUMMARY: In accordance with the
application to the FAA, SpaceX makes Federal Interagency Committee on
National Environmental Policy Act of
changes to their operations which fall Emergency Medical Services (FICEMS)
1969, as amended (NEPA; 42 United
outside the scope of the EA, additional on matters relating to emergency
States Code 4321 et seq.), Council on
Environmental Quality (CEQ) NEPA environmental review would be medical services (EMS).
implementing regulations (40 Code of required prior to the FAA issuing a DATES: The NEMSAC meeting will be
Federal Regulations [CFR] parts 1500 to license associated with such an held on December 1, 2016 from 8:30
1508), and FAA Order 1050.1F, application. a.m. to 11:45 a.m. EST, and that
Environmental Impacts: Policies and After reviewing and analyzing afternoon from 4:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., and
Procedures, the FAA is announcing the available data and information on on December 2, 2016 from 8:30 a.m. to
adoption of, and availability of a FONSI existing conditions and potential 12 p.m. EST. A public comment period
for, the U.S. Air Force’s (USAF’s) impacts, the FAA has determined that will take place on December 1, 2016
Environmental Assessment, Boost-Back issuing launch licenses to SpaceX for between 11:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. EST
and Landing of the Falcon 9 Full Thrust Falcon 9 boost-back and landing and on December 2, 2016 between 10:45
First Stage at SLC–4 West, Vandenberg operations at VAFB or in the Pacific a.m. and 11:15 a.m. EDT. NEMSAC
Air Force Base, California and Offshore Ocean is a Federal action that would not committees will meet in the same
Landing Contingency Option (EA). location on Thursday, December 1, 2016
significantly affect the quality of the
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. from 1:15 p.m. to 4 p.m. EST. Written
human environment within the meaning
Daniel Czelusniak, Environmental comments for the NEMSAC from the
of NEPA. The FAA made this public must be received no later than
Specialist, Federal Aviation determination in accordance with all
Administration, 800 Independence Ave. November 25, 2016.
applicable environmental laws and FAA
SW., Room 325, Washington, DC 20591; ADDRESSES: The meetings will be held at
regulations.
email Daniel.Czelusniak@faa.gov; or the Washington Hilton, 1919
phone (202) 267–5924. The FAA has posted the FONSI on the Connecticut Avenue NW., Washington,
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USAF
internet at http://www.faa.gov/about/ DC 20009. Attendees should plan to
acted as the lead agency, and the FAA office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/ arrive 20 minutes early to check in for
was a cooperating agency, in the environmental/nepa_docs/review/ the meeting.
preparation of the EA. The EA analyzed launch/. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
the potential environmental impacts of Issued in Washington, DC on: November 2, Susan McHenry, U.S. Department of
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. 2016. Transportation, Office of Emergency
(SpaceX) constructing a landing pad and Daniel Murray,
Medical Services, 1200 New Jersey
improving infrastructure at Space Avenue SE., NTI–140, Washington, DC
Manager, Space Transportation Development
Launch Complex 4 West (SLC–4W) at 20590, susan.mchenry@dot.gov or 202–
sradovich on DSK3GMQ082PROD with NOTICES
Division.
Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB), as 366–6540.
[FR Doc. 2016–27092 Filed 11–8–16; 8:45 am]
well as conducting boost-backs and SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of
BILLING CODE 4310–13–P
landings of the Falcon 9 first stage these meetings is given under the
booster at SLC–4W or on a special- Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public
purpose barge, no less than 31 miles Law 92–463, as amended (5 U.S.C.
offshore in the Pacific Ocean. The EA App.). The NEMSAC is authorized
was prepared in accordance with NEPA, under Section 31108 of the Moving
VerDate Sep<11>2014 16:29 Nov 08, 2016 Jkt 241001 PO 00000 Frm 00125 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 E:\FR\FM\09NON1.SGM 09NON1](https://thefederalregister.org/doc/81_FR_79113/page/1.svg)
Document Created: 2016-11-09 01:39:56
Document Modified: 2016-11-09 01:39:56
| 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 | 81 FR 78896 |
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