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under the provisions of Section 125 of Issued in Kansas City, Missouri, on August Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) the Wendell H. Ford Aviation 24, 2006. is not required and AST is issuing a Investment Reform Act for the 21st George A. Hendon, Finding of No Significant Impact Century (AIR 21). Manager, Airports Division, Central Region. (FONSI). The FAA made this [FR Doc. 06–7459 Filed 9–5–06; 8:45 am] determination in accordance with all DATES: Comments must be received on BILLING CODE 4910–13–M applicable environmental laws. or before October 6, 2006. For a copy of the Environmental ADDRESSES: Comments on this Assessment: Visit the following internet application may be mailed or delivered DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION address: http://ast.faa.gov or contact Mr. to the FAA at the following address: Doug Graham, FAA Environmental Federal Aviation Administration Federal Aviation Administration, Specialist, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Room 331, Washington, DC 20591. Central Region, Airports Division, 901 Finding of No Significant Impact Locust, Kansas City, Missouri 64106– You may also send requests via e-mail 2325. AGENCY: Federal Aviation to [email protected] or by Administration (FAA), Department of telephone at (202) 267–8568. In addition, one copy of any Transportation (DOT). DATES: The Draft EA was released for comments submitted to the FAA must ACTION: Finding of no significant public comment on June 28, 2006. The be mailed or delivered to Anna Lannin, impact. FAA held a public meeting on the Draft Engineering Division, Nebraska EA on July 25, 2006 in Van Horn, Texas Department of Aeronautics, P.O. Box SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation to collect comments from the public. All 82088, Lincoln, NE 68501. Administration (FAA) prepared an comments received before July 27, 2006 Environmental Assessment (EA) to FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: were considered in the preparation of evaluate the proposal from Blue Origin, Nicoletta Oliver, Airports Compliance the Final EA. LLC (Blue Origin) to construct and Proposed action: Under Title 49 Specialist, FAA, Central Region, 901 operate a commercial space launch site United States Code (U.S.C.), Subtitle IX, Locust, Kansas City, MO 64106–2325, to be located on privately-owned Sections 70101–70121, Commercial (816) 329–2642. property in Culberson County, Texas. Space Launch Act, the FAA regulates The request to release property may Blue Origin proposes to develop this launches and reentries of launch and be reviewed in person at this same commercial space launch site to launch reentry vehicles, and the operation of location. vertical reusable launch vehicles (RLVs) launch and reentry sites when carried carrying space flight participants 1 on out by U.S. citizens or within the United SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The FAA suborbital, ballistic trajectories to States. (49 U.S.C. 70104, 70105) Chapter proposes to rule and invites public altitudes in excess of 99,060 meters 701 directs the FAA to exercise this comment on the request to release (325,000 feet) above sea level. The EA responsibility consistent with public property at the Blair Municipal Airport evaluated the potential environmental health and safety, safety of property, under the provisions of AIR21. impacts of issuing experimental permits and the national security and foreign On August 24, 2006, the FAA and/or licenses to Blue Origin policy interests of the United States, and determined that the request to release authorizing vertical launches and to encourage, facilitate, and promote property at the Blair Municipal Airport, landings of RLVs and/or operation of a commercial space launch and reentry by submitted by the Nebraska Department launch site for same. Blue Origin may the private sector. (49 U.S.C. 70103, of Aeronautics, as agent for the Blair seek experimental permits to conduct 70105) Airport Authority, met the procedural early developmental and test flights. The Commercial Space Launch requirements of the Federal Aviation Blue Origin may also seek a launch site Amendments Act of 2004 (CSLAA) Administration. The FAA will approve operator license, RLV mission-specific promotes the development of the or disapprove the request, in whole or licenses, and RLV operator licenses, as emerging commercial/human space in part, no later than November 30, appropriate. After reviewing and flight industry and establishes an 2006. analyzing currently available data and experimental permit regime for information on existing conditions, developmental reusable suborbital The following is a brief overview of project impacts, and measures to rockets. This newly established the request. mitigate those impacts, the FAA, Office experiment permit regime provides an The Blair Airport Authority requests of Commercial Space Transportation alternative mechanism to regulate the the release of approximately 13.97 acres (AST) has determined that issuing the launch and reentry of reusable of airport property. The land is experimental permits and/or licenses suborbital rockets (49 U.S.C. 70105a). currently not being used for analyzed in the EA to Blue Origin To conduct commercial launch aeronautical purposes. The purpose of would not significantly affect the operations, Blue Origin must obtain the this release is to sell the land to the quality of the human environment required experimental permit(s) and/or Nebraska Department of Roads (NDR) within the meaning of the National license(s) from the FAA. Under the for improvements to U.S. Highway 133. Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). proposed action the FAA would issue Therefore the preparation of an Any person may inspect the request experimental permits, a launch site in person at the FAA office listed above operator license, RLV mission-specific 1 Space flight participant means an individual, licenses, and/or RLV operator licenses, under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION who is not crew, carried within a launch vehicle or as appropriate. CONTACT. reentry vehicle. 49 United States Code (U.S.C.) 70102(17) Flight crew means any employee of a Experimental permits differ from In addition, any person may, upon licensee or transferee, or of a contractor or launch licenses in a number of ways. request, inspect the application, notice subcontractor of a licensee or transferee, who is on • Unlike a licensed operator, no and other documents that are relevant to board a launch or reentry vehicle and performs person may launch a reusable suborbital the request, in person at the Nebraska activities in the course of that employment directly relating to the launch, reentry, or other operation rocket under an experimental permit for Department of Aeronautics, Lincoln, of the launch vehicle or reentry vehicle. See 49 carrying any property or human being Nebraska. U.S.C. 70102(2) (defining crew). for compensation or hire.

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• A permit is not transferable. A those potential effects. The FAA is using activities are proposed to occur; license is transferable from one entity to the analysis in the EA as the basis for constructing the launch site facilities; another, which could occur after a an environmental determination of the transporting the vehicle, vehicle merger or acquisition. potential impacts of these proposed components, and propellants to the • Damages arising out of a permitted actions. proposed site; assembling the various launch or reentry are not eligible for Upon receipt of complete permit or vehicle components; conducting ‘‘indemnification,’’ the provisional license applications, the Associate ground-based tests; moving the launch payment of claims under 49 U.S.C. Administrator for Commercial Space vehicle to the test pad; loading the space 70113. To the extent provided in an Transportation must determine whether flight participants or other payload; appropriation law or other legislative to issue experimental permits or loading propellants into the launch authority, damages caused by licensed licenses to Blue Origin to launch vehicle; igniting the rocket motors; activities are eligible for the provisional reusable suborbital rockets on privately- collecting any debris from the test pad; payment of claims. owned property in Culberson County, and landing, recovering, and • A permit must authorize an Texas. Environmental findings are transporting the RLV from the landing unlimited number of launch and required for the evaluation of license pad. reentries for a particular reusable and permit applications. Purpose and Need: The proposed suborbital rocket design operating from The proposed action is for the FAA to Blue Origin launch facility would a site during a one-year period. issue one or more experimental permits provide Blue Origin with an alternative An experimental permit would allow and/or licenses to Blue Origin. Blue to launching the New Shepard vehicle Blue Origin to conduct testing of Origin proposes to launch RLVs on from a Federal or other FAA-licensed reusable suborbital rockets that would suborbital, ballistic trajectories to launch facility. The proposed facility be launched and landed solely for the altitudes in excess of 99,060 meters would provide a location from which to purposes of (1) research and (325,000 feet). To conduct these transport space flight participants to the development to test new design operations, Blue Origin would construct edge of space and return them to the concepts, new equipment, or new a private launch site, which would same launch area after a short flight. operating techniques; (2) showing include a vehicle processing facility, These activities are consistent with the compliance with requirements as part of launch complex, vehicle landing and purposes of the CSLAA. Given the the process for obtaining a license; and/ recovery area, space flight participant infrastructure and development costs or (3) crew training prior to obtaining a training facility, and other minor associated with constructing launch license for a launch or reentry using the support facilities. The proposed Blue facilities, the Federal government has design of the rocket for which the Origin launch site is approximately 40.2 been the owner/operator of, has leased/ permit would be issued. The FAA kilometers (25 miles) north of Van Horn, sold unused or excess infrastructure, would issue a separate permit for each Texas. It lies within a larger, privately- and has provided expertise to rocket design. owned property known as the Corn commercial launch operators for the An RLV mission-specific license Ranch. majority of commercial launches. authorizing an RLV mission would The proposed action would include However, with increasing demand for allow Blue Origin to launch and reenter, the operation of a launch site to support access to space, commercial launch site or otherwise land, one model or type of launches of the Blue Origin New operators have begun to develop RLV from a launch site approved for the Shepard RLV and New Shepard proposals to offer launch sites, not mission to a reentry site or other prototype test vehicles. The New collocated with Federal facilities or location approved for the mission. A Shepard RLV system would be operated by the Department of Defense mission-specific license authorizing an comprised of a propulsion module and or the National Aeronautics and Space RLV mission may authorize more than a crew capsule capable of carrying three Administration, to meet the demand for one RLV mission and identifies each or more space flight participants to lower cost access to space. flight of an RLV authorized under the space. The crew capsule is stacked on The proposed Blue Origin launch site license. An RLV operator license would top of the propulsion module, so the would provide the infrastructure allow Blue Origin to launch and reenter, RLV would be vertically-oriented during necessary to support testing and or otherwise land, any of a designated flight. The stacked vehicle would have operation of Blue Origin’s New Shepard family of RLVs within authorized a roughly conical shape with a base RLV. Accordingly, the proposed action parameters. A licensee’s authorization diameter of approximately 7 meters (22 would permit Blue Origin to pursue its to conduct RLV missions terminates feet) and a height of approximately 15 objective of developing safe, upon completion of all activities meters (50 feet). The propulsion module inexpensive, and reliable human access authorized by the license, or the would be fully reusable, would carry its to space. expiration date stated in the reentry own avionics, and would operate Alternatives Considered: Alternatives license, whichever comes first. autonomously under the control of on- analyzed in the EA included (1) the The FAA is the lead Federal agency board computers. The propulsion proposed action, issuing experimental responsible for authorizing the proposed module would use 90 percent permits, a launch site operator license, launch activities at the proposed Blue concentration hydrogen peroxide, called RLV mission-specific licenses, and/or Origin facility. Issuing permits and high test peroxide, and rocket RLV operator licenses, as appropriate, to licenses are Federal actions and are propellant grade kerosene as the Blue Origin for the launch and landing subject to review as required by the propellants. Before flying the human- of vertical launch/vertical landing National Environmental Policy Act carrying operational New Shepard RLV reusable suborbital rockets on privately- (NEPA) of 1969, as amended, 42 U.S.C. for commercial operation, Blue Origin owned property in Culberson County, 4321, et seq. The EA was prepared to also proposes to develop and flight test Texas; and (2) the no action alternative. describe the proposed action and a series of unmanned prototypes at the The activities included in this analysis alternatives considered, the affected West Texas launch site. are launching and landing the New environment, the potential effects of the The activities analyzed in the Shepard RLV and prototype test proposed action on that environment, proposed action include clearing and vehicles at the proposed site. The EA and measures to be taken to mitigate grading the land where construction conservatively assumes that all tests and

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launches would be conducted using the diversity of plants and plant resources from maintenance or final operational New Shepard RLV. communities. operating activities would be unlikely Therefore, the FAA did not specifically Construction activities would cause since these activities would take place analyze the impacts associated with impacts on wildlife through elimination within areas already disturbed by issuing a subset of experimental permits of vegetation communities (i.e., habitats) construction. The FAA, SHPO, and Blue or licenses for a mix of vehicles because and their associated fauna. Small Origin signed a Memorandum of the impacts would be within the range numbers of animals inhabiting the Agreement regarding avoidance of analyzed. construction area could be displaced by adverse effects to site 41CU695 and Under the no action alternative, the construction activity while others mitigation of adverse effects to site FAA would not issue permits or would be expected to disperse to less 41CU696, Culberson County, Texas. licenses to Blue Origin for the purposes disturbed areas of the proposed launch site or off site. Hazardous Materials/Waste of conducting launch operations in Management Culberson County, Texas. Blue Origin Launch and landing noise and sonic would not conduct RLV testing or booms would have potential for The construction activities would use launch operations, and the goals set disturbing wildlife; however, the small quantities of hazardous materials, forth by the CSLA would not be disturbance would be short lived and which would result in generation of advanced. As part of the no action would have no more effect on local small volumes of hazardous wastes. The alternative, the proposed site in wildlife than military aircraft that hazardous materials that are expected to Culberson County would remain private routinely fly over the Corn Ranch be used are common to construction property. Blue Origin would be forced property on low-level training missions. activities and include diesel fuel, to identify other private property No State or federally listed species gasoline, and liquefied natural gas to options or to reconsider association were observed in surveys of the fuel the construction equipment, with State-sponsored spaceport proposed Blue Origin site conducted in hydraulic fluids, oils and lubricants, facilities. For Blue Origin, these January and April 2005. Based on the welding gases, paints, solvents, decisions could result in higher RLV habitats present, three State-listed adhesives, and batteries. Appropriate development and operational costs, species (Chihuahuan Desert lyre snake, hazardous material management decreased operational capabilities, and Trans-Pecos black-headed snake, Texas techniques would be followed to delays to Blue Origin’s proposed horned lizard) and one federally-listed minimize their use and ensure safe species (Northern aplomado falcon) development schedules. disposal. could occur in limited numbers in the Non-hazardous and hazardous waste Environmental Impacts vicinity of the site. It is conceivable that generated during construction of the small numbers of these State-listed launch site would include construction Air Resources reptiles or Northern aplomado falcons debris, empty containers, spent The proposed project area is currently could be disturbed by construction solvents, waste oil, spill cleanup in attainment under the National Clean activities, launch noise or sonic booms. materials (if used), and lead-acid Air Act. Impacts on air quality would Any disturbance from launch activities batteries from construction equipment. occur during the construction and would be brief (less than approximately Blue Origin would ensure that operation of the launch site. The one minute) and create impacts at the construction contractors safely remove estimated increases in emission proposed launch site similar to those these wastes from the site for recycling concentrations from planned currently experienced as a result of or disposal in accordance with construction activities would be small military aircraft operations. applicable Federal, State, and local fractions of either State or Federal The FAA conducted informal requirements. ambient air quality standards. consultation with the U.S. Fish and The hazardous material management Construction impacts are expected to be Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding practices described above for localized and short-term. The estimated potential impacts to threatened or construction would also be followed increases in ambient background endangered species. The USFWS during launch site operations. The concentrations from operations would concurred with the FAA’s majority of the hazardous materials used be negligible. No significant impacts on determination that the proposed action in launch operations are the propellants air resources would be anticipated. would not adversely affect listed or for the launch vehicle and compressed Ecological Resources candidate species or critical habitat. gases. Other hazardous materials would be used in much smaller amounts with Cultural/Native American Resources Construction activities would result on site storage limited to less than 379 in the clearing, grading, or disturbance The proposed locations where liters (100 gallons). Substantial impacts of approximately 308 hectares (760 construction activities would occur for to the environment are not expected acres), which is approximately 4.1 the launch site contain two from the presence of hazardous percent of the 7,527 hectares (18,600 archaeological sites determined to be materials and wastes during launch site acres) within the launch site perimeter eligible for the National Register of operations. fence line. Almost all construction Historic Places. Mitigation measures activity would be in vegetation have been proposed to protect these Land Use (Including Farmland and characterized as creosote bush sites during construction. If previously Section 4(f) Resources) community, which comprises unknown cultural deposits are Construction of the launch site would approximately 5,595 hectares (13,825 discovered, construction activities in permanently cover about 90.3 hectares acres) of the launch site. Because this the area would halt, and a qualified (223 acres) of desert scrubland with plant community type is common on archaeologist would evaluate the impermeable surfaces, such as building the launch site and throughout the discovery. Appropriate treatment foundations, test pad, parking lots, etc. Chihuahuan Desert, the anticipated loss activities would be determined, if This relatively small area represents 1.2 would represent only a small portion of necessary, in consultation with the percent of the launch site. Operation of this habitat type and would not Texas State Historic Preservation Officer the launch site would necessitate the adversely affect local or regional (SHPO). Direct impacts to cultural fencing and enclosure of approximately

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7,527 hectares (18,600 acres) of desert approximately 8.5 kilometers (5.3 miles) number of additional indirect jobs. The scrubland and grassland that are away on Highway 54. Launch noise at economic benefit would be small; currently used as a private wildlife that location would be approximately 85 however, because the bulk of the management area. This acreage will dBA. The nearest residence is construction-generated wages would be continue to provide habitat for wildlife approximately 10.9 kilometers (6.8 spent outside the area of the proposed and land use would be essentially miles) away and would experience launch site. Operations would require unchanged; only the core facility areas slightly less than 85 dBA. The duration approximately 20 to 35 personnel. The would be converted to industrial use. of launch noise would be approximately additional employment opportunities No prime farmland, unique farmland, one minute, with the peak noise lasting created by the proposed action would farmland of State importance, or general from 5 to 15 seconds after launch. The represent an increase of less than one farmland would be converted to a non- nearest population center, Van Horn, is percent in the region’s labor force. agricultural use as a result of the approximately 40.2 kilometers (25 The proposed action does not create proposed action. No conflicts with miles) away. At this distance, the any major changes that would have a existing agricultural uses would occur launch noise would be less than 65 measurable effect on local supplies of as a result of the proposed action. dBA, the threshold of significance. energy or natural resources. The Section 4(f) properties would not be Because Blue Origin’s launch vehicle proposed action does not require the use significantly impacted by the proposed would ascend and descend vertically, of unusual materials or materials in action because it does not require the sonic booms would propagate away short supply. use of any section 4(f) properties, and it from the Earth’s surface during launch Traffic and Transportation does not create a constructive use that and towards the Earth’s surface during substantially impairs the property. descent. The peak overpressure, 7.8 State Highway 54 would be the road kilograms per square meter (1.6 pounds most impacted by construction Visual Resources per square foot), would occur at activities. It is the only access to the During construction, the visual approximately 1.3 kilometers (0.8 mile) construction site and is an infrequently landscape would be impacted primarily from the landing pad. At the closest used highway. During the peak period by construction activities associated location that would be occupied by of construction, approximately 70 with the two launch site access road workers or visitors, the overpressure construction workers would be improvements that would intersect State would be 4.9 kilograms per square meter commuting to the site. The monthly Highway 54 and the associated vehicle (1.0 pound per square foot), which average construction workforce is traffic traveling to and from the launch approximates 85 dBA. At 12.9 expected to be approximately 45. In site. A visual impact from construction kilometers (8 miles) the sonic boom addition there would be deliveries of activities would result because the sound level would drop to about 80 equipment, supplies, and building launch site facilities would be built 8 dBA, and at 37 kilometers (23 miles) the materials on a daily basis. Highway 54 kilometers (5 miles) to the east of State sonic boom would probably be is expected to undergo improvements at Highway 54. Facilities and indiscernible. the beginning of 2006; therefore, no infrastructure including buildings, deterioration of the highway should storage tanks, launch and landing pads, Geology and Soils (Including occur. access roads, parking areas, fencing, and Floodplains) During facility operations, the lighting would be constructed. A fire Construction activities have the commuting workforce would be break would be cleared along the potential to disturb approximately 308 approximately 20 to 35 workers. During perimeter fence to prevent the spread of hectares (760 acres) of soil. Of this total, launches, customers and other visitors fire on or off the launch site. The tallest approximately 90.3 hectares (223 acres) would be visiting the site. Shipments of building would be approximately 26 are expected to be permanently covered rocket propellants would be needed to meters (84 feet) high, and would be with impermeable surfaces such as fuel the launch vehicles. There would located 8 kilometers (5 miles) to the east buildings and parking areas. Because of also be shipments of gaseous helium of State Highway 54. Portions of the the clay content of the site soils, it may and nitrogen. Diesel fuel would be facility may be visible to motorists be necessary to strip 0.3 to 1.2 meters needed for diesel generators. There traveling on Highway 54, but the (1 to 4 feet) below existing grade prior would be other shipments of supplies proposed construction and operation of to construction of the facilities. and materials. However, the traffic from the facility would not result in a Depending on the depth of excavation, operations is expected to be less than significant impact on visual resources. the volume of soil excavated would that for construction. Existing roads range from approximately 10,930 to would be well able to handle the traffic Noise 43,800 cubic meters (14,300 to 57,300 without congestion. Construction activities and traffic cubic yards). Water Resources (Including Wetlands noise would temporarily increase the Soil erosion due to runoff and wind and Wild and Scenic Rivers) ambient noise levels at the proposed would be of concern during launch site. Such activities could construction. Best construction It is expected that two new on site potentially create individual noise management practices would be wells would be used to supply sources ranging from 70 to 100 A- employed to limit soil loss below construction activities, if necessary. Salt weighted decibels (dBA) at 30.5 meters significant levels. The proposed site Bolson aquifer drawdown for the (100 feet) from the activities. The would not be located in the 100-year construction withdrawal would be 3.6 construction-related noise could last floodplain. centimeters (1.4 inches) at 9.1 meters approximately 12 months but would not (30 feet) from the withdrawal well be appreciable off site given the size of Socioeconomics (Including Natural (conservatively assuming withdrawal the property and the distance of the Resources and Energy Supply) from a single well) after one year of construction activities from the Construction would require a monthly pumping; the drawdown would surrounding population. average of approximately 45 workers, decrease to 0.083 centimeter (0.033 The nearest public access to the which would help to stimulate the local inch) at 1,609 meters (1 mile) from the launch and landing platforms would be economy and would create a small well. If it is necessary to screen new

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wells in the more productive Capitan The proposed launch site is expected vehicles use State Highway 54 each day. aquifer, then the drawdown for to have very limited occurrence of Under the proposed action, the total construction withdrawal would be 0.57 hazardous materials and waste, and thus number of vehicles using State Highway centimeter (0.22 inch) at 9.1 meters (30 there would be minimal safety and 54 would increase to approximately 320 feet), decreasing to 0.087 centimeter health risks to workers or members of per day (13 vehicles per hour) during (0.034 inch) at 1,609 meters (1 mile) the public associated with the proposed the peak construction phase and to from the well. Impacts of this water Blue Origin site. Because there are no approximately 230 per day (10 vehicles withdrawal on other possible on site health impacts expected to members of per hour) during the operations phase. and off site water uses would not be a the public (adults or children) from the Increases of this magnitude would not significant impact. operation of the proposed launch site, have a significant impact on local traffic Best management water control the requirements of Executive Order or the normal flow of traffic on State practices, including storage and control 13045, ‘‘Protection of Children from Highway 54. Although a Level-of- of liquids, would be employed for all Environmental Health Risks and Safety Service analysis has not been construction activities in accordance Risks’’ are not applicable to this action. performed, traffic on Highway 54 can be with Texas State regulations. The During the operation of the vehicle, characterized as free flow or Class A as launch site facility design would there is the possibility of an accident or defined by the National Research incorporate water management and spill off-nominal situation. In the majority of Council. Existing roads would be able to containment processes to minimize foreseeable off-nominal scenarios, the handle the proposed increase in traffic potential impacts to water resources. crew capsule, abort module, and without congestion. propulsion module would all land There are no permanent, naturally Blue Origin launches would compete within the perimeter fence of the launch occurring surface waters or open for airspace with current commercial site. In some rare cases, the vehicles freshwater systems, wild and scenic and military aviation activities in the may land outside the fence line. rivers, or federally protected wetlands airspace about the launch site. Blue However, in nearly all cases, the as defined by section 404 of the Clean Origin would attempt to minimize this vehicles would stay within the Water Act on the proposed site. competition by appropriate timing of boundaries of private land controlled by Therefore, there would be no impacts to launches and coordination of overall air Blue Origin and present no danger to any of these resources. traffic with the FAA pursuant to a letter the public. In the unlikely event the of agreement with the Albuquerque Air Airspace vehicles impact outside the privately Traffic Control Center, resulting in a controlled Blue Origin land, the small cumulative impact. The airspace above and around the surrounding properties consist of launch site is used by commercial and extremely sparsely populated rangeland. Consistency With Community Planning military aircraft. Prior to scheduling During any landing away from the The proposed action has been flight countdown activities, Blue Origin landing pad, the potential exists for reviewed and has been found to be would request the FAA’s approval for crushing vegetation and animals as the consistent with State and local planning exclusive use of the airspace directly vehicle touches down to ground, fire, objectives from the Texas State, above the launch site for a specific and, for the propulsion module and Culberson County, and local community launch and recovery time window, abort module, the dispersal of unused governments. expected to not exceed three hours. The propellant. steep flight ascent profile of the Blue No Action Alternative Origin reusable launch vehicle ensures Cumulative Impacts Under the no action alternative, the that at no time in any nominal ballistic Cumulative impacts are the FAA would not issue permits or trajectory would the vehicle’s ground incremental impact of the actions when licenses to Blue Origin for the conduct track depart from the boundaries of the added to other past, present, and of launch operations in Culberson Corn Ranch. reasonably foreseeable future action County, Texas. Blue Origin would not Environmental Justice regardless of what agency (Federal or conduct RLV testing or launch non-Federal) or person undertakes such operations at the proposed site and the Because construction and operations other actions. (40 CFR 1508.7) The goals set forth by the CSLA would not impacts would not significantly impact cumulative impacts analysis focused on be advanced. As part of the no action the surrounding population, and no only those past, present, and reasonably alternative, the proposed site in minority or low-income populations foreseeable future actions that have the Culberson County would remain private would be disproportionately affected, potential to contribute to cumulative property. Blue Origin would be forced no disproportionately high and adverse impacts. These actions include the to identify other private property impacts would be expected on minority operation of a marble mine in the Sierra options or to reconsider association or low-income populations. Diablo Mountains, tourist traffic to with State-sponsored spaceport Health and Safety Guadalupe Mountains National Park or facilities. For Blue Origin, these Carlsbad Caverns National Park, and decisions could result in higher RLV Based on Bureau of Labor Statistics current commercial and military development and operational costs, data, it was estimated that during aviation activities within Culberson decreased operational capabilities, and construction, 1.8 total lost workdays, no County airspace. These actions were delays to Blue Origin’s proposed fatalities, and 3.8 total recordable cases analyzed for their potential to contribute development schedules. of injury, illness, or death could be to cumulative transportation and expected during the 12-month airspace impacts. Determination construction period. Using the same The commuters to and from the An analysis of the proposed action statistical data it was estimated that 0.5 marble mine, local and tourist traffic, has concluded that there are no total lost workdays, no fatalities, and 1 and the projected number of vehicles at significant short-term or long-term recordable case of injury, illness, or the proposed launch site would result in effects to the environment or death could be expected from the increased traffic along State Highway surrounding populations. After careful operation of the Blue Origin facility. 54. Currently, approximately 180 and thorough consideration of the facts

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herein, the undersigned finds that the both statutes, unless otherwise noted in amended (Pub. L. 89–655; 16 U.S.C. proposed Federal action is consistent the text. Scoping meeting(s) will be 470, et seq.); the Fish and Wildlife with existing national environmental conducted as joint FAA and WisDOT Coordination Act of 1958, as amended policies and objectives set forth in meetings. (Pub. L. 85–624; 16 U.S.C. 742a, et seq. Section 101(a) of NEPA of 1969 and that As presently conceived by the airport and 661–666c); and the Clean Water Act it will not significantly affect the quality owner (The City of West Bend, WI) the of 1977, as amended (Pub. L. 92–500; 33 of the human environment or otherwise proposed improvements include: U.S.C. 1251, et seq.); and all applicable include any condition requiring Construction of a new 5,500 ft x 100 ft and appropriate Executive Orders. consultation pursuant to Section Runway 7/25 with full instrument 102(2)(c) of NEPA. Therefore, an EIS for landing system (ILS) having Category I The EIS will include identification of the proposed action is not required. (CAT I) capability and associated the project’s purpose and need, the navigational aids (NAVAIDs); evaluation of the no action alternative Issued in Washington, DC on: August 29, and reasonable alternatives that may be 2006. construction of a full parallel taxiway to identified during the agency and public George Nield, new Runway 7/25; hangar area development; land acquisition; scoping meetings. The EIS will also Deputy Associate Administrator for identify all environmental impacts as Commercial Space Transportation. widening and rerouting of Highway 33 applicable, including but not limited to, [FR Doc. E6–14741 Filed 9–5–06; 8:45 am] around the north side of the airport between North Trenton Road and 4,000 noise impacts, impacts on air and water BILLING CODE 4910–13–P ft east of North Oak Road. quality, wetlands, ecological resources, A draft Final Environment floodplains, historic resources, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Assessment (EA) was prepared in March hazardous materials, and 2005 to assess the proposed socioeconomics. Federal Aviation Administration improvements at West Bend Municipal Scoping Meetings: To ensure that all Airport. Informal review of the draft substantive issues related to the Notice of Intent To Prepare an Final EA resulted in a decision to proposed action are identified, the FAA Environmental Impact Statement: West proceed to an EIS. The need to prepare will hold two (2) governmental agency Bend Municipal Airport, West Bend, WI an EIS is based on the procedures and one (1) public scoping meeting(s) to described in FAA Order 5050.4B, AGENCY: Federal Aviation solicit input from the public, interested ‘‘National Environmental Policy Act Administration, Department of parties, and various Federal, State and (NEPA) Implementing Instructions for Transportation. Airport Actions,’’ and FAA Order local agencies having jurisdiction or ACTION: Issuance of notice of intent to 1050.1E, ‘‘Environmental Impacts: having specific expertise with respect to prepare an Environmental Impact Policies and Procedures.’’ any environmental impacts associated Statement and to conduct scoping The proposed improvements would with the proposed improvements. The meetings. involve discharges of dredged and fill first governmental agency scoping material into waters of the United States meeting will be held from 9 a.m. until SUMMARY: The Federal Aviation which are regulated under Section 404 12 p.m. Central Standard Time (CST) on Administration (FAA) is issuing this of the Clean Water Act. The U.S. Army October 11, 2006, at the Clairemont Inn notice to advise the public that an Corps of Engineers St. Paul District and Meeting Center located at 2520 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) (Corps) has the permitting responsibility West Washington Street, West Bend, will be prepared to assess the potential for discharges into waters of the United Wisconsin 53095. The public scoping impacts of proposed improvements at States associated with the proposed meeting will be held from 4 p.m. until West Bend Municipal Airport. The FAA improvements. The FAA will pursue an 8 p.m. CST on this same date at this plans to hold scoping meetings to obtain integrated NEPA/Section 404 permit same location. The second input from Federal, State, local process for this EIS in cooperation with governmental agency scoping meeting agencies, other interested parties, and the Corps. will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. the general public regarding the EIS. At a minimum, the Corps and the CST on October 19, 2006, at West Bend FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Federally Highway Administration Municipal Airport, EAA Chapter 1158 Daniel J. Millenacker, Program Manager, (FHWA) will be invited to serve as Building, 310 Aerial Drive, West Bend, Federal Aviation Administration, cooperating agencies with FAA in WI, 53095. Airports District Office, 6020 28th development of this EIS. The FHWA Comments and suggestions are invited Avenue South, Room 102, Minneapolis, involvement will focus on the road from Federal, State, local agencies, other Minnesota, 55450–2706. Phone (612) widening and rerouting aspects of interested parties, and the general 713–4350. Highway 33. The Corps, in its role as a public to ensure that the full range of SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This cooperating agency, will use the EIS in issues related to the proposed notice announces that the FAA and the making its decision on whether to issue improvements are addressed and all Wisconsin Department of a section 404 permit under the Clean substantive issues are identified. Copies Transportation (WisDOT), will prepare a Water Act. of scoping documentation providing joint EIS for proposed improvements at To the fullest extent possible, the EIS additional detail can be obtained by West Bend Municipal Airport. The lead will be integrated with analysis and contacting the FAA representative at the agency for the preparation of the EIS is consultation required by the the FAA. The WisDOT will serve as a Endangered Species Act of 1973, as address provided, above. Written joint-lead (co-lead) agency with the amended (Pub. L. 93–205; 16 U.S.C. comments and suggestions may be FAA. The EIS will be both a Federal and 1531 et seq.); the Magnuson-Stevens mailed to the FAA informational contact State document prepared in accordance Fishery Conservation and Management listed above and must be postmarked no with NEPA and the Wisconsin Act, as amended (Pub. L. 94–265; 16 later than November 13, 2006. Environmental Policy Act (WEPA). All U.S.C. 1801, et seq.), the National Questions may also be directed to the portions of the document will apply to Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as FAA informational contact listed above.

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