[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)] [Notices] [Pages 27498-27499] From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov] [FR Doc No: 95-12626] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY Availability of the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test Facility Draft Environmental Impact Statement AGENCY: Department of Energy. ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability of the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), DOE/EIS-0228D, for public review and comment, and the dates, times and places for public hearings on the Draft EIS. The alternative actions analyzed in the Draft EIS would occur at the DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in northern New Mexico. DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS are invited from the public. Comments must be postmarked by Monday, June 26, 1995, to ensure consideration; late comments will be considered to the extent practicable. The DOE will use the comments received to help prepare the final version of the DARHT EIS. Public hearings on the Draft EIS will be held as follows: Wednesday, May 31, 1995, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:30pm-9:00pm, Los Alamos Inn, 2201 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, NM, (505) 662-7211. Thursday, June 1, 1995, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:30pm- 9:00pm, High Mesa Inn, 3347 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM, (505) 473- 2800. The meetings will use a workshop format to facilitate dialogue among DOE, LANL, and the public and will provide opportunities for information exchange and discussion as well as submitting prepared statements. ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Draft DARHT EIS, written comments on the Draft EIS, or other matters regarding this environmental review should be addressed to: Ms. Diana Webb, DARHT EIS Project Manager, Los Alamos Area Office, Department of Energy, 528 35th Street, Los Alamos, NM 87544. Ms. Webb may be contacted by telephone at (505) 665-6353 or by facsimile at (505) 665-1506. [[Page 27499]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information on the DARHT project, interested parties may contact Ms. Webb at the address and phone number above. For general information on the DOE NEPA process, please contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director, Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance, EH-42, Department of Energy, 1000 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585. Ms. Borgstrom may be contacted by leaving a message at (800) 472-2756 or by calling (202) 586-4600. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS was prepared pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq., the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1500) and the DOE NEPA regulations [10 CFR 1021]. The Department proposes to provide enhanced high-resolution radiography (x-ray) capability for the purpose of performing hydrodynamic tests and dynamic experiments in support of its national defense mission. The enhanced radiography facility would be a key component of the Department's near-term science-based stockpile stewardship and management program. These hydrodynamic tests and dynamic experiments are required to assist DOE in ensuring the continued safety, security, and reliability of existing nuclear weapons as they age. The Draft DARHT EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of alternative ways to accomplish the proposed action. The DOE's preferred alternative would be to complete and operate the DARHT facility at LANL in northern New Mexico. Radiographic hydrodynamic testing is now conducted in two existing facilities within the DOE complex--a 30-year- old facility at LANL, and a 10-year-old facility at the DOE's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. The Draft DARHT EIS compares the environmental impacts that would be expected to occur from continuing to operate existing facilities (the No Action Alternative) with the consequences that would be expected to occur if DOE implemented the Preferred Alternative or one of four other operational alternatives. The Draft EIS has a classified supplement that provides additional information and analysis. DOE has distributed copies of the Draft DARHT EIS to appropriate Congressional members and committees, the State of New Mexico, American Indian tribal governments, local county governments, other federal agencies, and other interested parties. DOE expects to complete the Final EIS in August 1995, and reach a Record of Decision in September 1995. Signed in Washington, D.C., this 17th day of May, 1995, for the United States Department of Energy. Victor H. Reis, Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs. [FR Doc. 95-12626 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 6450-01-P