Transcription
DraftProgrammatic EnvironmentalAssessment of Launches InvolvingRadioisotope Heater Units (RHUs)Prepared forNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationHeadquarters, Washington D.C.September 8, 2019
ContentsSectionPageAcronyms and Abbreviations. viiPurpose and Need for the Proposed Action .1-11.1Introduction . 1-11.2Background . 1-11.3Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action . 1-21.4Use and Organization of this PEA . 1-31.4.1 Organization of the PEA . 1-41.4.2 Public Outreach and Involvement . 1-4Description of the Proposed Action and Alternatives . 2-12.1Proposed Action. 2-12.1.1 RHU Technology Description . 2-12.1.2 Number of RHUs . 2-22.1.3 Launch Locations . 2-32.1.3.1 Description of KSC . 2-32.1.3.2 Description of CCAFS . 2-42.1.4 Launch Vehicles and Approval . 2-62.1.4.1 Launch Vehicles Analyzed Through NEPA . 2-62.1.4.2 NASA Launch Approval Process . 2-62.1.5 Mission Types . 2-72.2Description of the No Action Alternative. 2-82.3Resources Analyzed . 2-82.3.1 Resources Studied in Detail . 2-82.3.2 Resource Areas Eliminated from Further Analysis . 2-8Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences. 3-13.1Health and Safety. 3-23.1.1 Affected Environment. 3-23.1.1.1 Radiation and Plutonium-238. 3-23.1.1.2 Health Effects from Radiation Exposure. 3-23.1.1.3 Existing Conditions . 3-33.1.1.4 Established Nuclear Safety Procedures . 3-33.1.2 Environmental Consequences . 3-43.1.2.1 Proposed Action . 3-43.1.2.2 No Action Alternative . 3-63.2Land Use. 3-63.2.1 Affected Environment. 3-63.2.1.1 KSC . 3-63.2.1.2 CCAFS . 3-73.2.1.3 Surrounding Land Use (including Farmland) . 3-73.2.2 Environmental Consequences . 3-93.2.2.1 Proposed Action . 3-93.2.2.2 No Action Alternative . 3-103.3Water Resources . 3-103.3.1 Affected Environment. 3-103.3.1.1 Surface Water . 3-10AX0905180908COSiii
CONTENTS CONTINUED3.43.53.63.73.3.1.2 Groundwater . 3-103.3.1.3 Potable Water Supply . 3-113.3.1.4 Wetlands. 3-113.3.2 Environmental Consequences . 3-133.3.2.1 Proposed Action . 3-133.3.2.2 No Action Alternative . 3-14Biological Resources . 3-143.4.1 Affected Environment. 3-143.4.1.1 Ecological Setting. 3-143.4.1.2 Vegetation . 3-143.4.1.3 Fish and Wildlife . 3-143.4.1.4 Protected Species . 3-143.4.2 Environmental Consequences . 3-163.4.2.1 Proposed Action Alternative . 3-163.4.2.2 No Action Alternative . 3-16Cultural Resources . 3-163.5.1 Affected Environment. 3-163.5.1.1 KSC . 3-173.5.1.2 CCAFS . 3-173.5.2 Environmental Consequences . 3-173.5.2.1 Proposed Action . 3-173.5.2.2 No Action Alternative . 3-17Hazardous Materials . 3-183.6.1 Affected Environment. 3-183.6.1.1 KSC . 3-183.6.1.2 CCAFS . 3-183.6.2 Environmental Consequences . 3-183.6.2.1 Proposed Action Alternative . 3-183.6.2.2 No Action Alternative . 3-19Cumulative Impacts . 3-19Summary of Impacts .4-1Consultation and Coordination .5-15.1Cooperating Agencies . 5-15.1.1 Contributing Individuals. 5-15.2PEA Distribution List. 5-2List of Preparers .6-1References.7-1AppendixesAivRelevant NEPA DocumentsAX0905180908COS
CONTENTS CONTINUEDTables3-13-23-34-16-1Impact Threshold Definitions. 3-1Sensitivity Analysis – Receptor Location and Wind Speed . 3-5Federally Threatened and Endangered Species Documented to Occur at CCAFS or KSC . 3-15Summary of Potential Impacts and Proposed Mitigation Measures . 4-1List of Preparers and Reviewers. 6-1Figures2-12-23-13-2Components of a RHU. 2-2CCAFS and KSC Launch Locations. 2-5Land Cover Types at KSC/CCAFS and Surrounding Area . 3-9Surface Water Features . 3-11AX0905180908COSv
Acronyms and Abbreviations45 o.NPDNPRNPSNRAAX0905180908COS45th Space WingAir Force InstructionAir Force ManualAir Force Space CommandCape Canaveral Air Force StationCouncil on Environmental QualityCode of Federal RegulationsCape Canaveral National SeashoreCoastal Zone Management ActU.S. Department of Homeland SecurityU.S. Department of EnergyDocumented Safety Analysisenvironmental assessmentevolved expendable launch vehicleenvironmental impact statementExecutive OrderU.S. Environmental Protection AgencyEndangered Species ActFederal Aviation AdministrationFlorida Department of Environmental Protectionfinding of no significant impactHistoric Preservation OfficerInternational Atomic Energy AgencyIntegrated Cultural Resource Management PlanInternational Commission on Radiological ProtectionIdaho National LaboratoryInteragency Steering Committee on Radiation StandardsJet Propulsion Laboratorykilometer(s)Kennedy Space Centerlaunch complexLaunch Services Programlight-weight radioisotope heater unitMigratory Bird Treaty ActMars Exploration RoverMerritt Island National Wildlife RefugeMars Science LaboratoryNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationNational Environmental Policy ActNational Historic Preservation ActNuclear Launch Safety ApprovalNational Marine Fisheries ServicenumberNASA Policy DirectiveNASA Procedural RequirementNational Park Servicenuclear risk assessmentvii
ACRONYMS AND GSHPOSMDUU.S.U.S.C.USAFUSFWSVAFBviiiNuclear Regulatory CommissionNational Register of Historic PlacesNational Security Councilprogrammatic environmental assessmentplutoniumRadiological Control CenterRecord of Environmental ConsiderationRoentgen Equivalent Manradioisotope heater unitrecord of decisionradioisotope power systemradioisotope thermoelectric generatorState Historic Preservation OfficeScience Mission DirectorateuraniumUnited StatesUnited States CodeU.S. Air ForceU.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceVandenburg Air Force BaseAX0905180908COS
SECTION 1Purpose and Need for the Proposed Action1.1IntroductionThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is proposing to programmatically addressthe use of radioisotope heater units (RHUs) in spacecraft launched from Kennedy Space Center (KSC)and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) in Brevard County, Florida. The need for RHUs in NASAmissions is expected to incr
CCAFS Cape Canaveral Air Force Station . CEQ Council on Environmental Quality . CFR . JPL Jet Propulsion Laboratory . km kilometer(s) KSC Kennedy Space Center . LC launch complex . LSP Launch Services Program . LWRHU light-weight radioisotope heater unit . MBTA Migratory Bird Treaty Act . MER Mars Exploration Rover . MINWR Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge . MSL Mars Science Laboratory .
