SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Within the context of homeland defense, Guam is a key strategic location for sustaining and maintaining U.S. influence, deterring adversaries, responding to crises, and maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific. An attack on Guam would be considered a direct attack on the United States and would be met with an appropriate response. Current U.S. forces are capable of defending Guam against regional ballistic missile threats. However, regional missile threats to Guam continue to increase and advance technologically. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command has identified a requirement for a 360-degree EIAMD capability on Guam as soon as possible to address the rapid evolution of adversary missile threats. The purpose of the EIAMD is to support the defense of Guam from cruise, ballistic and hypersonic missile threats. The EIAMD is necessary to meet requirements as directed in the fiscal year (FY) 2022 and FY 2023 National Defense Authorization Acts and to protect Guam as described in this notice.

The MDA, in coordination with Army, DoN, DAF, and FAA as cooperating agencies, is preparing an EIS to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action and a No Action alternative.

The Proposed Action includes the deployment and operation of a combination of components from the MDA, Army, and DoN that would be integrated for air and missile defense. These proposed components include missile defense radars and sensors, missile interceptor launchers, and command and control systems. The MDA and Army need to strategically locate and integrate the system components at multiple sites around Guam. In the event where DoD property is not available to strategically locate the components on DoD properties or where buffer and safety zone arcs encroach on non-Federal properties, acquisition of appropriate real estate interests on non-Federal property may be needed in a few areas. Site selection is evolving and additional sites may be considered. Additionally, MDA anticipates airspace modification may be necessary at sites where radars would be located. Airspace issues would be coordinated with the FAA.

Associated support facilities and infrastructure ( e.g., power plants, fuel storage facilities, and water storage facilities), and life support facilities ( e.g., family housing, fire stations, and dining facilities) would also be constructed and operated on these sites to support proposed EIAMD components and accommodate personnel associated with the proposed EIAMD system.

The MDA and Army have conducted extensive siting studies to confirm alternative site selection, optimize system performance, and optimize facility planning and design. The proposed EIAMD components, support facilities and infrastructure, and life support facilities would be distributed across the candidate sites.

The environmental issues and resource areas the MDA would assess in the EIS include, but are not limited to, the following: airspace, air quality, biological resources, cultural resources, environmental justice and protection of children, geological resources, public health and safety, infrastructure and utilities, land use, noise and vibration, socioeconomics, transportation, recreation, visual resources, and water resources. The analysis will include an evaluation of direct and indirect impacts, and will account for cumulative impacts from other relevant activities in the area of Guam.

This public scoping effort also supports compliance with section 106 of the NHPA and its implementing regulations at 36 CFR part 800. As such, the MDA will consult with government officials and other interested parties regarding historic and cultural resources under section 106 of the NHPA, as appropriate. Additionally, the MDA will undertake any other consultations and permitting required by applicable laws or regulations.

The MDA will conduct three in-person open house scoping meetings on Guam in June 2023. Notification of the meeting locations, dates, and times will be published and announced in local news media to encourage public participation. Access to meeting information can also be found on the MDA website at https://www.mda.mil/​system/​eiamd.html.

The MDA encourages elected officials, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and interested individuals to participate in the public scoping process for the preparation of this EIS. The public scoping process assists in determining the scope of the EIS including identification of potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the Proposed Action, and the Proposed Action's potential to affect historic properties.

Additional opportunities for public comment will occur after the release of the Draft EIS. The MDA intends to publish the Draft EIS in spring 2024, publish the Final EIS in early 2025, and sign a Record of Decision following the 30-day Final EIS review period.

88 FR 29104