Notice2024-24561
Notice of Availability for a 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
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
October 23, 2024
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 updates to the forward heat shield interstage, sonic boom coverage, use of the deluge system during return to launch site landings, and use of US Coast Guard Safety Zones at the SpaceX Boca Chica Launch Site in Cameron County, Texas.
Full Text
<html>
<head>
<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)</title>
</head>
<body><pre>
[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 205 (Wednesday, October 23, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 84667]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-24561]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
Notice of Availability for a 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
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Department of
Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Notice of availability.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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 updates to
the forward heat shield interstage, sonic boom coverage, use of the
deluge system during return to launch site landings, and use of US
Coast Guard Safety Zones 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#f9b89480d7b198978a9697b99f9898d79e968f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="73321e0a5d3b121d001c1d331512125d141c05">[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 SpaceX's vehicle operator license 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 updates to the forward heat shield interstage, sonic boom
coverage, use of the deluge system during return to launch site
landings, and use of US Coast Guard Safety Zones.
Based on the analysis within the Written Re-Evaluation of the
additional information, the FAA concluded that the issuance of a
modification to SpaceX's 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: October 12, 2024.
Stacey Molinich Zee,
Manager, Operations Support Branch, Office of Commercial Space
Transportation.
[FR Doc. 2024-24561 Filed 10-22-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-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 October 23, 2024.
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.