Notice2023-25722
Notice of Availability for the Written Re-Evaluation of the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas Regarding Deluge System Operation, Addition of a Forward Heat Shield Interstage, and Expansion of the Area of Potential Effects for Cultural Resources
Primary source
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Published
November 21, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, Council on Environmental Quality NEPA-implementing regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Written Re- Evaluation for the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program regarding operation of a deluge system, addition of a forward heat shield interstage to the vehicle, and expansion of the Area of Potential Effects for cultural resources at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 223 (Tuesday, November 21, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Page 81176]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25722]
[[Page 81176]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of Availability for the Written Re-Evaluation of the Final
Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super
Heavy Launch Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in
Cameron County, Texas Regarding Deluge System Operation, Addition of a
Forward Heat Shield Interstage, and Expansion of the Area of Potential
Effects for Cultural Resources
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, Council on Environmental Quality NEPA-implementing
regulations, and FAA Order 1050.1F, Environmental Impacts: Policies and
Procedures, the FAA is announcing the availability of the Written Re-
Evaluation for the Final Programmatic Environmental Assessment for the
SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch Vehicle Program regarding operation
of a deluge system, addition of a forward heat shield interstage to the
vehicle, and expansion of the Area of Potential Effects for cultural
resources at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County,
Texas.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Hanson, FAA Environmental
Specialist, Federal Aviation Administration, 800 Independence Ave. SW,
Suite 325, Washington, DC 20591; phone 847-243-7609; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bcfdd1c592f4ddd2cfd3d2fcdadddd92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="77361a0e593f16190418193711161659101801">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Written Re-Evaluation evaluated whether
supplemental environmental analysis was needed to support the FAA
Office of Commercial Space Transportation decision to issue a
modification to the vehicle operator license to SpaceX for the
operation of the Starship/Super Heavy launch vehicle at its existing
Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas. The affected
environment and environmental impacts of Starship/Super Heavy
operations and the construction of launch-related infrastructure at the
Boca Chica Launch Site were analyzed in the 2022 Final Programmatic
Environmental Assessment for the SpaceX Starship/Super Heavy Launch
Vehicle Program at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County,
Texas (2022 PEA). The FAA issued a Mitigated Finding of No Significant
Impact and Record of Decision based on the 2022 PEA on June 13, 2022.
SpaceX recently provided the FAA with additional information
regarding operation of the deluge system, addition of a forward heat
shield interstage to the vehicle, and expansion of the Area of
Potential Effects for cultural resources.
Based on the analysis within the Written Re-Evaluation of the
additional information, the FAA concluded that the issuance of a
modification to the vehicle operator license for Starship/Super Heavy
operations conforms to the prior environmental documentation, that the
data contained in the 2022 PEA remains substantially valid, that there
are no significant environmental changes, and all pertinent conditions
and requirements of the prior approval have been met or will be met in
the current action.
Therefore, preparation of a supplemental or new environmental
document is not necessary to support the Proposed Action.
The Written Re-Evaluation is available at: <a href="http://www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship">www.faa.gov/space/stakeholder_engagement/spacex_starship</a>.
Issued in Washington, DC on: November 16, 2023.
Stacey Molinich Zee,
Manager, Operations Support Branch, Office of Commercial Space
Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2023-25722 Filed 11-20-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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