Notice2023-09609
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System on Guam
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
May 5, 2023
Issuing agencies
Defense Department
Abstract
The MDA is issuing this notice of intent to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental impacts associated with an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense (EIAMD) system for the defense of Guam. The EIS will be prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA; MDA's NEPA Implementing Procedures; U.S. Department of the Army's (Army) NEPA Implementing Procedures; U.S. Department of the Navy's (DoN) Environmental Readiness Program; U.S. Department of the Air Force's (DAF) Environmental Impact Analysis Process; and Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) NEPA Policies and Procedures. The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental impacts from the proposed deployment and operation of missile defense radars and sensors, missile interceptor launchers, and command and control systems; construction and operation of associated support facilities and infrastructure; and management of associated airspace (hereafter called "Proposed Action"). The MDA is initiating a public scoping period to receive comments on 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 pursuant to section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 87 (Friday, May 5, 2023)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 87 (Friday, May 5, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29104-29105]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-09609]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
an Enhanced Integrated Air and Missile Defense System on Guam
AGENCY: Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Department of Defense (DoD).
ACTION: Notice of intent.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: The MDA is issuing this notice of intent to prepare an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential
environmental impacts associated with an Enhanced Integrated Air and
Missile Defense (EIAMD) system for the defense of Guam. The EIS will be
prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) of 1969; the Council on Environmental Quality Regulations for
Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA; MDA's NEPA Implementing
Procedures; U.S. Department of the Army's (Army) NEPA Implementing
Procedures; U.S. Department of the Navy's (DoN) Environmental Readiness
Program; U.S. Department of the Air Force's (DAF) Environmental Impact
Analysis Process; and Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) NEPA
Policies and Procedures. The EIS will evaluate the potential
environmental impacts from the proposed deployment and operation of
missile defense radars and sensors, missile interceptor launchers, and
command and control systems; construction and operation of associated
support facilities and infrastructure; and management of associated
airspace (hereafter called ``Proposed Action''). The MDA is initiating
a public scoping period to receive comments on 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 pursuant to section 106 of the
National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966.
DATES: The MDA invites comments during the public scoping period
beginning with publication of this notice in the Federal Register.
Comments must be postmarked or
[[Page 29105]]
received on or before June 27, 2023 to ensure consideration in the
Draft EIS.
ADDRESSES: Written comments should be sent via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#cca5a2aaa38c89858d8188e1f0adeca4bea9aaf1" http: EIS.com">EIS.com</a>">info@EIAMD-<a href="http://EIS.com">EIS.com</a></a>; via the website comment submission form on www.EIAMD-<a href="http://EIS.com">EIS.com</a>;
or by United States (U.S.) Postal Service to: ManTech International
Corporation, Attention: EIAMD EIS Project Support, PMB 403, 1270 N
Marine Corps Drive, Suite 101, Tamuning, Guam 96913-4331. Comments will
also be accepted at the public scoping meetings. All comments,
including names and addresses, will be included in the administrative
record, but personal information will be kept confidential unless
release is required by law.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Mark Wright, MDA Public Affairs,
at 571-231-8212 or by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#79451859110b1c1f44" http: mda.info">mda.info</a>@mda.mil"><a href="http://mda.info">mda.info</a>@mda.mil</a>. Additional information
on the Proposed Action can be found at the MDA website: <a href="https://www.mda.mil/system/eiamd.html">https://www.mda.mil/system/eiamd.html</a>.
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 <a href="https://www.mda.mil/system/eiamd.html">https://www.mda.mil/system/eiamd.html</a>.
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.
Dated: May 2, 2023.
Aaron T. Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2023-09609 Filed 5-4-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5001-06-P
</pre><script data-cfasync="false" src="/cdn-cgi/scripts/5c5dd728/cloudflare-static/email-decode.min.js"></script></body>
</html>Indexed from Federal Register on May 5, 2023.
This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.