[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 100 (Wednesday, May 24, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27498-27499]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-12626]
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DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Availability of the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test
Facility Draft Environmental Impact Statement
AGENCY: Department of Energy.
ACTION: Notice of availability and public hearings.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Energy (DOE) announces the availability of
the Dual Axis Radiographic Hydrodynamic Test (DARHT) Facility Draft
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), DOE/EIS-0228D, for public review
and comment, and the dates, times and places for public hearings on the
Draft EIS. The alternative actions analyzed in the Draft EIS would
occur at the DOE's Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in northern
New Mexico.
DATES: Written comments on the Draft EIS are invited from the public.
Comments must be postmarked by Monday, June 26, 1995, to ensure
consideration; late comments will be considered to the extent
practicable. The DOE will use the comments received to help prepare the
final version of the DARHT EIS. Public hearings on the Draft EIS will
be held as follows:
Wednesday, May 31, 1995, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 2:00pm-4:00pm and
6:30pm-9:00pm, Los Alamos Inn, 2201 Trinity Drive, Los Alamos, NM,
(505) 662-7211.
Thursday, June 1, 1995, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 2:00pm-4:00pm and 6:30pm-
9:00pm, High Mesa Inn, 3347 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM, (505) 473-
2800.
The meetings will use a workshop format to facilitate dialogue
among DOE, LANL, and the public and will provide opportunities for
information exchange and discussion as well as submitting prepared
statements.
ADDRESSES: Requests for copies of the Draft DARHT EIS, written comments
on the Draft EIS, or other matters regarding this environmental review
should be addressed to: Ms. Diana Webb, DARHT EIS Project Manager, Los
Alamos Area Office, Department of Energy, 528 35th Street, Los Alamos,
NM 87544. Ms. Webb may be contacted by telephone at (505) 665-6353 or
by facsimile at (505) 665-1506.
[[Page 27499]] FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general
information on the DARHT project, interested parties may contact Ms.
Webb at the address and phone number above. For general information on
the DOE NEPA process, please contact Ms. Carol M. Borgstrom, Director,
Office of NEPA Policy and Assistance, EH-42, Department of Energy, 1000
Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20585. Ms. Borgstrom may be
contacted by leaving a message at (800) 472-2756 or by calling (202)
586-4600.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft EIS was prepared pursuant to the
National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4321 et
seq., the Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR
1500) and the DOE NEPA regulations [10 CFR 1021].
The Department proposes to provide enhanced high-resolution
radiography (x-ray) capability for the purpose of performing
hydrodynamic tests and dynamic experiments in support of its national
defense mission. The enhanced radiography facility would be a key
component of the Department's near-term science-based stockpile
stewardship and management program. These hydrodynamic tests and
dynamic experiments are required to assist DOE in ensuring the
continued safety, security, and reliability of existing nuclear weapons
as they age.
The Draft DARHT EIS analyzes the environmental consequences of
alternative ways to accomplish the proposed action. The DOE's preferred
alternative would be to complete and operate the DARHT facility at LANL
in northern New Mexico. Radiographic hydrodynamic testing is now
conducted in two existing facilities within the DOE complex--a 30-year-
old facility at LANL, and a 10-year-old facility at the DOE's Lawrence
Livermore National Laboratory in California. The Draft DARHT EIS
compares the environmental impacts that would be expected to occur from
continuing to operate existing facilities (the No Action Alternative)
with the consequences that would be expected to occur if DOE
implemented the Preferred Alternative or one of four other operational
alternatives. The Draft EIS has a classified supplement that provides
additional information and analysis. DOE has distributed copies of the
Draft DARHT EIS to appropriate Congressional members and committees,
the State of New Mexico, American Indian tribal governments, local
county governments, other federal agencies, and other interested
parties. DOE expects to complete the Final EIS in August 1995, and
reach a Record of Decision in September 1995.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 17th day of May, 1995, for the
United States Department of Energy.
Victor H. Reis,
Assistant Secretary for Defense Programs.
[FR Doc. 95-12626 Filed 5-23-95; 8:45 am]
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