[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 172 (Wednesday, September 6, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 52603-52608]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-14741]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Finding of No Significant Impact
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Finding of no significant impact.
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SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prepared an
Environmental Assessment (EA) to evaluate the proposal from Blue
Origin, LLC (Blue Origin) to construct and operate a commercial space
launch site to be located on privately-owned property in Culberson
County, Texas. Blue Origin proposes to develop this commercial space
launch site to launch vertical reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) carrying
space flight participants \1\ on suborbital, ballistic trajectories to
altitudes in excess of 99,060 meters (325,000 feet) above sea level.
The EA evaluated the potential environmental impacts of issuing
experimental permits and/or licenses to Blue Origin authorizing
vertical launches and landings of RLVs and/or operation of a launch
site for same. Blue Origin may seek experimental permits to conduct
early developmental and test flights. Blue Origin may also seek a
launch site operator license, RLV mission-specific licenses, and RLV
operator licenses, as appropriate. After reviewing and analyzing
currently available data and information on existing conditions,
project impacts, and measures to mitigate those impacts, the FAA,
Office of Commercial Space Transportation (AST) has determined that
issuing the experimental permits and/or licenses analyzed in the EA to
Blue Origin would not significantly affect the quality of the human
environment within the meaning of the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA). Therefore the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement
(EIS) is not required and AST is issuing a Finding of No Significant
Impact (FONSI). The FAA made this determination in accordance with all
applicable environmental laws.
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\1\ Space flight participant means an individual, who is not
crew, carried within a launch vehicle or reentry vehicle. 49 United
States Code (U.S.C.) 70102(17) Flight crew means any employee of a
licensee or transferee, or of a contractor or subcontractor of a
licensee or transferee, who is on board a launch or reentry vehicle
and performs activities in the course of that employment directly
relating to the launch, reentry, or other operation of the launch
vehicle or reentry vehicle. See 49 U.S.C. 70102(2) (defining crew).
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For a copy of the Environmental Assessment: Visit the following
internet address: http://ast.faa.gov or contact Mr. Doug Graham, FAA
Environmental Specialist, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Room 331,
Washington, DC 20591. You may also send requests via e-mail to
[email protected] or by telephone at (202) 267-8568.
DATES: The Draft EA was released for public comment on June 28, 2006.
The FAA held a public meeting on the Draft EA on July 25, 2006 in Van
Horn, Texas to collect comments from the public. All comments received
before July 27, 2006 were considered in the preparation of the Final
EA.
Proposed action: Under Title 49 United States Code (U.S.C.),
Subtitle IX, Sections 70101-70121, Commercial Space Launch Act, the FAA
regulates launches and reentries of launch and reentry vehicles, and
the operation of launch and reentry sites when carried out by U.S.
citizens or within the United States. (49 U.S.C. 70104, 70105) Chapter
701 directs the FAA to exercise this responsibility consistent with
public health and safety, safety of property, and the national security
and foreign policy interests of the United States, and to encourage,
facilitate, and promote commercial space launch and reentry by the
private sector. (49 U.S.C. 70103, 70105)
The Commercial Space Launch Amendments Act of 2004 (CSLAA) promotes
the development of the emerging commercial/human space flight industry
and establishes an experimental permit regime for developmental
reusable suborbital rockets. This newly established experiment permit
regime provides an alternative mechanism to regulate the launch and
reentry of reusable suborbital rockets (49 U.S.C. 70105a). To conduct
commercial launch operations, Blue Origin must obtain the required
experimental permit(s) and/or license(s) from the FAA. Under the
proposed action the FAA would issue experimental permits, a launch site
operator license, RLV mission-specific licenses, and/or RLV operator
licenses, as appropriate.
Experimental permits differ from launch licenses in a number of
ways.
Unlike a licensed operator, no person may launch a
reusable suborbital rocket under an experimental permit for carrying
any property or human being for compensation or hire.
[[Page 52604]]
A permit is not transferable. A license is transferable
from one entity to another, which could occur after a merger or
acquisition.
Damages arising out of a permitted launch or reentry are
not eligible for ``indemnification,'' the provisional payment of claims
under 49 U.S.C. 70113. To the extent provided in an appropriation law
or other legislative authority, damages caused by licensed activities
are eligible for the provisional payment of claims.
A permit must authorize an unlimited number of launch and
reentries for a particular reusable suborbital rocket design operating
from a site during a one-year period.
An experimental permit would allow Blue Origin to conduct testing
of reusable suborbital rockets that would be launched and landed solely
for the purposes of (1) research and development to test new design
concepts, new equipment, or new operating techniques; (2) showing
compliance with requirements as part of the process for obtaining a
license; and/or (3) crew training prior to obtaining a license for a
launch or reentry using the design of the rocket for which the permit
would be issued. The FAA would issue a separate permit for each rocket
design.
An RLV mission-specific license authorizing an RLV mission would
allow Blue Origin to launch and reenter, or otherwise land, one model
or type of RLV from a launch site approved for the mission to a reentry
site or other location approved for the mission. A mission-specific
license authorizing an RLV mission may authorize more than one RLV
mission and identifies each flight of an RLV authorized under the
license. An RLV operator license would allow Blue Origin to launch and
reenter, or otherwise land, any of a designated family of RLVs within
authorized parameters. A licensee's authorization to conduct RLV
missions terminates upon completion of all activities authorized by the
license, or the expiration date stated in the reentry license,
whichever comes first.
The FAA is the lead Federal agency responsible for authorizing the
proposed launch activities at the proposed Blue Origin facility.
Issuing permits and licenses are Federal actions and are subject to
review as required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of
1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4321, et seq. The EA was prepared to
describe the proposed action and alternatives considered, the affected
environment, the potential effects of the proposed action on that
environment, and measures to be taken to mitigate those potential
effects. The FAA is using the analysis in the EA as the basis for an
environmental determination of the potential impacts of these proposed
actions.
Upon receipt of complete permit or license applications, the
Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation must
determine whether to issue experimental permits or licenses to Blue
Origin to launch reusable suborbital rockets on privately-owned
property in Culberson County, Texas. Environmental findings are
required for the evaluation of license and permit applications.
The proposed action is for the FAA to issue one or more
experimental permits and/or licenses to Blue Origin. Blue Origin
proposes to launch RLVs on suborbital, ballistic trajectories to
altitudes in excess of 99,060 meters (325,000 feet). To conduct these
operations, Blue Origin would construct a private launch site, which
would include a vehicle processing facility, launch complex, vehicle
landing and recovery area, space flight participant training facility,
and other minor support facilities. The proposed Blue Origin launch
site is approximately 40.2 kilometers (25 miles) north of Van Horn,
Texas. It lies within a larger, privately-owned property known as the
Corn Ranch.
The proposed action would include the operation of a launch site to
support launches of the Blue Origin New Shepard RLV and New Shepard
prototype test vehicles. The New Shepard RLV system would be comprised
of a propulsion module and a crew capsule capable of carrying three or
more space flight participants to space. The crew capsule is stacked on
top of the propulsion module, so the RLV would be vertically-oriented
during flight. The stacked vehicle would have a roughly conical shape
with a base diameter of approximately 7 meters (22 feet) and a height
of approximately 15 meters (50 feet). The propulsion module would be
fully reusable, would carry its own avionics, and would operate
autonomously under the control of on-board computers. The propulsion
module would use 90 percent concentration hydrogen peroxide, called
high test peroxide, and rocket propellant grade kerosene as the
propellants. Before flying the human-carrying operational New Shepard
RLV for commercial operation, Blue Origin also proposes to develop and
flight test a series of unmanned prototypes at the West Texas launch
site.
The activities analyzed in the proposed action include clearing and
grading the land where construction activities are proposed to occur;
constructing the launch site facilities; transporting the vehicle,
vehicle components, and propellants to the proposed site; assembling
the various vehicle components; conducting ground-based tests; moving
the launch vehicle to the test pad; loading the space flight
participants or other payload; loading propellants into the launch
vehicle; igniting the rocket motors; collecting any debris from the
test pad; and landing, recovering, and transporting the RLV from the
landing pad.
Purpose and Need: The proposed Blue Origin launch facility would
provide Blue Origin with an alternative to launching the New Shepard
vehicle from a Federal or other FAA-licensed launch facility. The
proposed facility would provide a location from which to transport
space flight participants to the edge of space and return them to the
same launch area after a short flight. These activities are consistent
with the purposes of the CSLAA. Given the infrastructure and
development costs associated with constructing launch facilities, the
Federal government has been the owner/operator of, has leased/sold
unused or excess infrastructure, and has provided expertise to
commercial launch operators for the majority of commercial launches.
However, with increasing demand for access to space, commercial launch
site operators have begun to develop proposals to offer launch sites,
not collocated with Federal facilities or operated by the Department of
Defense or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, to meet
the demand for lower cost access to space.
The proposed Blue Origin launch site would provide the
infrastructure necessary to support testing and operation of Blue
Origin's New Shepard RLV. Accordingly, the proposed action would permit
Blue Origin to pursue its objective of developing safe, inexpensive,
and reliable human access to space.
Alternatives Considered: Alternatives analyzed in the EA included
(1) the proposed action, issuing experimental permits, a launch site
operator license, RLV mission-specific licenses, and/or RLV operator
licenses, as appropriate, to Blue Origin for the launch and landing of
vertical launch/vertical landing reusable suborbital rockets on
privately-owned property in Culberson County, Texas; and (2) the no
action alternative. The activities included in this analysis are
launching and landing the New Shepard RLV and prototype test vehicles
at the proposed site. The EA conservatively assumes that all tests and
[[Page 52605]]
launches would be conducted using the final operational New Shepard
RLV. Therefore, the FAA did not specifically analyze the impacts
associated with issuing a subset of experimental permits or licenses
for a mix of vehicles because the impacts would be within the range
analyzed.
Under the no action alternative, the FAA would not issue permits or
licenses to Blue Origin for the purposes of conducting launch
operations in Culberson County, Texas. Blue Origin would not conduct
RLV testing or launch operations, and the goals set forth by the CSLA
would not be advanced. As part of the no action alternative, the
proposed site in Culberson County would remain private property. Blue
Origin would be forced to identify other private property options or to
reconsider association with State-sponsored spaceport facilities. For
Blue Origin, these decisions could result in higher RLV development and
operational costs, decreased operational capabilities, and delays to
Blue Origin's proposed development schedules.
Environmental Impacts
Air Resources
The proposed project area is currently in attainment under the
National Clean Air Act. Impacts on air quality would occur during the
construction and operation of the launch site. The estimated increases
in emission concentrations from planned construction activities would
be small fractions of either State or Federal ambient air quality
standards. Construction impacts are expected to be localized and short-
term. The estimated increases in ambient background concentrations from
operations would be negligible. No significant impacts on air resources
would be anticipated.
Ecological Resources
Construction activities would result in the clearing, grading, or
disturbance of approximately 308 hectares (760 acres), which is
approximately 4.1 percent of the 7,527 hectares (18,600 acres) within
the launch site perimeter fence line. Almost all construction activity
would be in vegetation characterized as creosote bush community, which
comprises approximately 5,595 hectares (13,825 acres) of the launch
site. Because this plant community type is common on the launch site
and throughout the Chihuahuan Desert, the anticipated loss would
represent only a small portion of this habitat type and would not
adversely affect local or regional diversity of plants and plant
communities.
Construction activities would cause impacts on wildlife through
elimination of vegetation communities (i.e., habitats) and their
associated fauna. Small numbers of animals inhabiting the construction
area could be displaced by construction activity while others would be
expected to disperse to less disturbed areas of the proposed launch
site or off site.
Launch and landing noise and sonic booms would have potential for
disturbing wildlife; however, the disturbance would be short lived and
would have no more effect on local wildlife than military aircraft that
routinely fly over the Corn Ranch property on low-level training
missions.
No State or federally listed species were observed in surveys of
the proposed Blue Origin site conducted in January and April 2005.
Based on the habitats present, three State-listed species (Chihuahuan
Desert lyre snake, Trans-Pecos black-headed snake, Texas horned lizard)
and one federally-listed species (Northern aplomado falcon) could occur
in limited numbers in the vicinity of the site. It is conceivable that
small numbers of these State-listed reptiles or Northern aplomado
falcons could be disturbed by construction activities, launch noise or
sonic booms. Any disturbance from launch activities would be brief
(less than approximately one minute) and create impacts at the proposed
launch site similar to those currently experienced as a result of
military aircraft operations.
The FAA conducted informal consultation with the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding potential impacts to threatened or
endangered species. The USFWS concurred with the FAA's determination
that the proposed action would not adversely affect listed or candidate
species or critical habitat.
Cultural/Native American Resources
The proposed locations where construction activities would occur
for the launch site contain two archaeological sites determined to be
eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. Mitigation
measures have been proposed to protect these sites during construction.
If previously unknown cultural deposits are discovered, construction
activities in the area would halt, and a qualified archaeologist would
evaluate the discovery. Appropriate treatment activities would be
determined, if necessary, in consultation with the Texas State Historic
Preservation Officer (SHPO). Direct impacts to cultural resources from
maintenance or operating activities would be unlikely since these
activities would take place within areas already disturbed by
construction. The FAA, SHPO, and Blue Origin signed a Memorandum of
Agreement regarding avoidance of adverse effects to site 41CU695 and
mitigation of adverse effects to site 41CU696, Culberson County, Texas.
Hazardous Materials/Waste Management
The construction activities would use small quantities of hazardous
materials, which would result in generation of small volumes of
hazardous wastes. The hazardous materials that are expected to be used
are common to construction activities and include diesel fuel,
gasoline, and liquefied natural gas to fuel the construction equipment,
hydraulic fluids, oils and lubricants, welding gases, paints, solvents,
adhesives, and batteries. Appropriate hazardous material management
techniques would be followed to minimize their use and ensure safe
disposal.
Non-hazardous and hazardous waste generated during construction of
the launch site would include construction debris, empty containers,
spent solvents, waste oil, spill cleanup materials (if used), and lead-
acid batteries from construction equipment. Blue Origin would ensure
that construction contractors safely remove these wastes from the site
for recycling or disposal in accordance with applicable Federal, State,
and local requirements.
The hazardous material management practices described above for
construction would also be followed during launch site operations. The
majority of the hazardous materials used in launch operations are the
propellants for the launch vehicle and compressed gases. Other
hazardous materials would be used in much smaller amounts with on site
storage limited to less than 379 liters (100 gallons). Substantial
impacts to the environment are not expected from the presence of
hazardous materials and wastes during launch site operations.
Land Use (Including Farmland and Section 4(f) Resources)
Construction of the launch site would permanently cover about 90.3
hectares (223 acres) of desert scrubland with impermeable surfaces,
such as building foundations, test pad, parking lots, etc. This
relatively small area represents 1.2 percent of the launch site.
Operation of the launch site would necessitate the fencing and
enclosure of approximately
[[Page 52606]]
7,527 hectares (18,600 acres) of desert scrubland and grassland that
are currently used as a private wildlife management area. This acreage
will continue to provide habitat for wildlife and land use would be
essentially unchanged; only the core facility areas would be converted
to industrial use.
No prime farmland, unique farmland, farmland of State importance,
or general farmland would be converted to a non-agricultural use as a
result of the proposed action. No conflicts with existing agricultural
uses would occur as a result of the proposed action. Section 4(f)
properties would not be significantly impacted by the proposed action
because it does not require the use of any section 4(f) properties, and
it does not create a constructive use that substantially impairs the
property.
Visual Resources
During construction, the visual landscape would be impacted
primarily by construction activities associated with the two launch
site access road improvements that would intersect State Highway 54 and
the associated vehicle traffic traveling to and from the launch site. A
visual impact from construction activities would result because the
launch site facilities would be built 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the
east of State Highway 54. Facilities and infrastructure including
buildings, storage tanks, launch and landing pads, access roads,
parking areas, fencing, and lighting would be constructed. A fire break
would be cleared along the perimeter fence to prevent the spread of
fire on or off the launch site. The tallest building would be
approximately 26 meters (84 feet) high, and would be located 8
kilometers (5 miles) to the east of State Highway 54. Portions of the
facility may be visible to motorists traveling on Highway 54, but the
proposed construction and operation of the facility would not result in
a significant impact on visual resources.
Noise
Construction activities and traffic noise would temporarily
increase the ambient noise levels at the proposed launch site. Such
activities could potentially create individual noise sources ranging
from 70 to 100 A-weighted decibels (dBA) at 30.5 meters (100 feet) from
the activities. The construction-related noise could last approximately
12 months but would not be appreciable off site given the size of the
property and the distance of the construction activities from the
surrounding population.
The nearest public access to the launch and landing platforms would
be approximately 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) away on Highway 54. Launch
noise at that location would be approximately 85 dBA. The nearest
residence is approximately 10.9 kilometers (6.8 miles) away and would
experience slightly less than 85 dBA. The duration of launch noise
would be approximately one minute, with the peak noise lasting from 5
to 15 seconds after launch. The nearest population center, Van Horn, is
approximately 40.2 kilometers (25 miles) away. At this distance, the
launch noise would be less than 65 dBA, the threshold of significance.
Because Blue Origin's launch vehicle would ascend and descend
vertically, sonic booms would propagate away from the Earth's surface
during launch and towards the Earth's surface during descent. The peak
overpressure, 7.8 kilograms per square meter (1.6 pounds per square
foot), would occur at approximately 1.3 kilometers (0.8 mile) from the
landing pad. At the closest location that would be occupied by workers
or visitors, the overpressure would be 4.9 kilograms per square meter
(1.0 pound per square foot), which approximates 85 dBA. At 12.9
kilometers (8 miles) the sonic boom sound level would drop to about 80
dBA, and at 37 kilometers (23 miles) the sonic boom would probably be
indiscernible.
Geology and Soils (Including Floodplains)
Construction activities have the potential to disturb approximately
308 hectares (760 acres) of soil. Of this total, approximately 90.3
hectares (223 acres) are expected to be permanently covered with
impermeable surfaces such as buildings and parking areas. Because of
the clay content of the site soils, it may be necessary to strip 0.3 to
1.2 meters (1 to 4 feet) below existing grade prior to construction of
the facilities. Depending on the depth of excavation, the volume of
soil excavated would range from approximately 10,930 to 43,800 cubic
meters (14,300 to 57,300 cubic yards).
Soil erosion due to runoff and wind would be of concern during
construction. Best construction management practices would be employed
to limit soil loss below significant levels. The proposed site would
not be located in the 100-year floodplain.
Socioeconomics (Including Natural Resources and Energy Supply)
Construction would require a monthly average of approximately 45
workers, which would help to stimulate the local economy and would
create a small number of additional indirect jobs. The economic benefit
would be small; however, because the bulk of the construction-generated
wages would be spent outside the area of the proposed launch site.
Operations would require approximately 20 to 35 personnel. The
additional employment opportunities created by the proposed action
would represent an increase of less than one percent in the region's
labor force.
The proposed action does not create any major changes that would
have a measurable effect on local supplies of energy or natural
resources. The proposed action does not require the use of unusual
materials or materials in short supply.
Traffic and Transportation
State Highway 54 would be the road most impacted by construction
activities. It is the only access to the construction site and is an
infrequently used highway. During the peak period of construction,
approximately 70 construction workers would be commuting to the site.
The monthly average construction workforce is expected to be
approximately 45. In addition there would be deliveries of equipment,
supplies, and building materials on a daily basis. Highway 54 is
expected to undergo improvements at the beginning of 2006; therefore,
no deterioration of the highway should occur.
During facility operations, the commuting workforce would be
approximately 20 to 35 workers. During launches, customers and other
visitors would be visiting the site. Shipments of rocket propellants
would be needed to fuel the launch vehicles. There would also be
shipments of gaseous helium and nitrogen. Diesel fuel would be needed
for diesel generators. There would be other shipments of supplies and
materials. However, the traffic from operations is expected to be less
than that for construction. Existing roads would be well able to handle
the traffic without congestion.
Water Resources (Including Wetlands and Wild and Scenic Rivers)
It is expected that two new on site wells would be used to supply
construction activities, if necessary. Salt Bolson aquifer drawdown for
the construction withdrawal would be 3.6 centimeters (1.4 inches) at
9.1 meters (30 feet) from the withdrawal well (conservatively assuming
withdrawal from a single well) after one year of pumping; the drawdown
would decrease to 0.083 centimeter (0.033 inch) at 1,609 meters (1
mile) from the well. If it is necessary to screen new
[[Page 52607]]
wells in the more productive Capitan aquifer, then the drawdown for
construction withdrawal would be 0.57 centimeter (0.22 inch) at 9.1
meters (30 feet), decreasing to 0.087 centimeter (0.034 inch) at 1,609
meters (1 mile) from the well. Impacts of this water withdrawal on
other possible on site and off site water uses would not be a
significant impact.
Best management water control practices, including storage and
control of liquids, would be employed for all construction activities
in accordance with Texas State regulations. The launch site facility
design would incorporate water management and spill containment
processes to minimize potential impacts to water resources.
There are no permanent, naturally occurring surface waters or open
freshwater systems, wild and scenic rivers, or federally protected
wetlands as defined by section 404 of the Clean Water Act on the
proposed site. Therefore, there would be no impacts to any of these
resources.
Airspace
The airspace above and around the launch site is used by commercial
and military aircraft. Prior to scheduling flight countdown activities,
Blue Origin would request the FAA's approval for exclusive use of the
airspace directly above the launch site for a specific launch and
recovery time window, expected to not exceed three hours. The steep
flight ascent profile of the Blue Origin reusable launch vehicle
ensures that at no time in any nominal ballistic trajectory would the
vehicle's ground track depart from the boundaries of the Corn Ranch.
Environmental Justice
Because construction and operations impacts would not significantly
impact the surrounding population, and no minority or low-income
populations would be disproportionately affected, no disproportionately
high and adverse impacts would be expected on minority or low-income
populations.
Health and Safety
Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it was estimated that
during construction, 1.8 total lost workdays, no fatalities, and 3.8
total recordable cases of injury, illness, or death could be expected
during the 12-month construction period. Using the same statistical
data it was estimated that 0.5 total lost workdays, no fatalities, and
1 recordable case of injury, illness, or death could be expected from
the operation of the Blue Origin facility.
The proposed launch site is expected to have very limited
occurrence of hazardous materials and waste, and thus there would be
minimal safety and health risks to workers or members of the public
associated with the proposed Blue Origin site. Because there are no
health impacts expected to members of the public (adults or children)
from the operation of the proposed launch site, the requirements of
Executive Order 13045, ``Protection of Children from Environmental
Health Risks and Safety Risks'' are not applicable to this action.
During the operation of the vehicle, there is the possibility of an
accident or off-nominal situation. In the majority of foreseeable off-
nominal scenarios, the crew capsule, abort module, and propulsion
module would all land within the perimeter fence of the launch site. In
some rare cases, the vehicles may land outside the fence line. However,
in nearly all cases, the vehicles would stay within the boundaries of
private land controlled by Blue Origin and present no danger to the
public. In the unlikely event the vehicles impact outside the privately
controlled Blue Origin land, the surrounding properties consist of
extremely sparsely populated rangeland. During any landing away from
the landing pad, the potential exists for crushing vegetation and
animals as the vehicle touches down to ground, fire, and, for the
propulsion module and abort module, the dispersal of unused propellant.
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) The cumulative impacts analysis
focused on only those past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future
actions that have the potential to contribute to cumulative impacts.
These actions include the operation of a marble mine in the Sierra
Diablo Mountains, tourist traffic to Guadalupe Mountains National Park
or Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and current commercial and military
aviation activities within Culberson County airspace. These actions
were analyzed for their potential to contribute to cumulative
transportation and airspace impacts.
The commuters to and from the marble mine, local and tourist
traffic, and the projected number of vehicles at the proposed launch
site would result in increased traffic along State Highway 54.
Currently, approximately 180 vehicles use State Highway 54 each day.
Under the proposed action, the total number of vehicles using State
Highway 54 would increase to approximately 320 per day (13 vehicles per
hour) during the peak construction phase and to approximately 230 per
day (10 vehicles per hour) during the operations phase. Increases of
this magnitude would not have a significant impact on local traffic or
the normal flow of traffic on State Highway 54. Although a Level-of-
Service analysis has not been performed, traffic on Highway 54 can be
characterized as free flow or Class A as defined by the National
Research Council. Existing roads would be able to handle the proposed
increase in traffic without congestion.
Blue Origin launches would compete for airspace with current
commercial and military aviation activities in the airspace about the
launch site. Blue Origin would attempt to minimize this competition by
appropriate timing of launches and coordination of overall air traffic
with the FAA pursuant to a letter of agreement with the Albuquerque Air
Traffic Control Center, resulting in a small cumulative impact.
Consistency With Community Planning
The proposed action has been reviewed and has been found to be
consistent with State and local planning objectives from the Texas
State, Culberson County, and local community governments.
No Action Alternative
Under the no action alternative, the FAA would not issue permits or
licenses to Blue Origin for the conduct of launch operations in
Culberson County, Texas. Blue Origin would not conduct RLV testing or
launch operations at the proposed site and the goals set forth by the
CSLA would not be advanced. As part of the no action alternative, the
proposed site in Culberson County would remain private property. Blue
Origin would be forced to identify other private property options or to
reconsider association with State-sponsored spaceport facilities. For
Blue Origin, these decisions could result in higher RLV development and
operational costs, decreased operational capabilities, and delays to
Blue Origin's proposed development schedules.
Determination
An analysis of the proposed action has concluded that there are no
significant short-term or long-term effects to the environment or
surrounding populations. After careful and thorough consideration of
the facts
[[Page 52608]]
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 NEPA of 1969 and that it will not
significantly affect the quality of the human environment or otherwise
include any condition requiring consultation pursuant to Section
102(2)(c) of NEPA. Therefore, an EIS for the proposed action is not
required.
Issued in Washington, DC on: August 29, 2006.
George Nield,
Deputy Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation.
[FR Doc. E6-14741 Filed 9-5-06; 8:45 am]
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