Environmental Impact Analysis Process. Environmental Assessment for Defense Satellite Communications System III With Integrated Apogee Boost System.

摘要

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act, the Council on Environmental Quality regulations implementing the Act (40 CFR 1500-1508), Department of Defense (DOD) Directive 6050.1, DOD Instruction 5000.2, and Air Force Instruction 32-7061, which implements these regulations in the Environmental Impact Analysis Process (EIAP), Air Force Regulation 19-9 regarding interagency coordination, and other applicable federal and local regulations, the United States Air Force has conducted an assessment of the potential environmental consequences of the processing for launch of six Defense Satellite Communications System III (DSCS III) satellites with Integrated Apogee Boost System (IABS). The no action alternative was also considered. This Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) summarizes the results of the evaluation. Proposed Action and Alternatives: The Air Force proposes to process six DSCS 111/IABS satellites for launch at Cape Canaveral Air Station (AS), Florida, during the time frame from 1995 through 2003. The satellites will be operated on-orbit for approximately 10 years until their end of life. The no-action alternative would be continued reliance on the existing on-orbit DSCS satellites with no replenishment until the operational life of the existing satellites is ended. Anticipated Environmental Effects: The environmental assessment evaluated the environmental impacts of the satellite system with regard to transportation, processing, operation, and disposal. Impacts associated with the launch vehicle have been previously assessed in an environ- mental assessment dated February 1989 for the Medium Launch Vehicle II progrnm that resulted in a FONSI.