[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 227 (Monday, November 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-29145]
[Federal Register: November 28, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Office of the Secretary
Final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (FPEIS) for the
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Program
agency: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO).
action: Notice of availability.
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sumamry: The BMDO has finished and is now making available the
Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Final Programmatic Environmental Impact
Statement (FPEIS). The purpose of the BMD Program is to develop the
capabilities to protect both the United States, and those areas of
vital interest to the United States (e.g., U.S. troops, allies, and
friends) from ballistic missile attack. The BMD FPEIS analyzes the
potential environmental impacts associated with the Preferred Action
and three alternatives.
The BMD Program consists of two segments, Theater Missile Defense
(TMD) and National Missile Defense (NMD). TMD, though part of the BMD
Program, has independent utility and is evaluated in its own PEIS.
Under all alternatives in the BMD FPEIS, the acquisition of TMD system
capabilities will continue as described in the TMD Record of Decision
published in the Federal Register on August 11, 1994. Additional
details about the TMD program may be found in the Final Theater Missile
Defense Programmatic Life-Cycle Environmental Impact Statement prepared
by the U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command.
The Preferred Action in the BMD FPEIS is to continue a focused
approach to long-lead time technology development in the form of the
NMD Technology Readiness Program. The Preferred Action is also the No
Action Alternative as it is a continuation of current BMDO policy. The
NMD Technology Readiness Program involves the development of existing
and new technologies and test systems for ground- and space-based
elements (excluding Space-Based interceptors). Research is to be
focused to ensure the capability to deploy a limited NMD system in the
next decade. Basic technology efforts will continue to infuse new
advances as the program proceeds. Contingency planning and options
development will also continue to be conducted to meet unexpected
threats.
The FPEIS also analyzes three System Acquisition Alternatives for
the continued research and development of a BMD system capability by
the Department of Defense (DoD). The environmental impacts of later
life-cycle phases beyond research, development, and testing for these
alternatives are discussed in the FPEIS to enhance future decision-
making on whether and how the DoD could proceed with a BMD system.
Alternatives to the Preferred Action analyzed in the FPEIS include:
Ground-and Space-Based Sensors and Ground and Space-Based
Interceptors System Acquisition Alternative. Under this alternative,
BMDO would proceed with research, development, and testing activities
similar to the Preferred Action but at a more intense level of effort.
This alternative would also allow for the acquisition of a Ground-and
Space-Based NMD system to proceed to the development of a system
capability.
All Ground-Based System Acquisition Alternative. Under
this alternative, BMDO would also proceed with research, development,
and testing activities similar to the Preferred Action but at a more
intense level of effort. This alternative would allow for the
acquisition of an All Ground-Based NMD system to proceed to the
development of a system capability.
Ground-and Space-Based Sensors and Ground-Based
Interceptors System Acquisition Alternative. Under this alternative,
BMDO would proceed with research, development, and testing activities
similar to the Proposed Action but at a more intense level of effort.
This alternative would allow for the acquisition of a Ground-and Space-
Based NMD system (without Space-Based Interceptors) to proceed to the
development of a system capability.
A Record of Decision on the BMD PEIS' alternatives will be made
available no earlier than 30 days after this Notice of Availability (of
the FPEIS) is published in the Federal Register.
lead agency: Ballistic Missile Defense Organization.
cooperating agencies: Department of Energy, National Aeronautical and
Space Administration, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy.
for further information contact: Major Thomas LaRock, OATSD/PA,
Pentagon, Washington, DC 20301-7100, (703) 697-5131.
Dated: November 21, 1994.
Patricia L. Toppings,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 94-29145 Filed 11-25-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 5000-04-M
