An exercise in environmental analysis : the earth observing system

The Earth Observing System (EOS) is the centerpiece of NASA's Mission to Planet Earth (MTPE) program and is needed to establish the foundation for an innovative, comprehensive approach to global environmental monitoring and climate prediction . The need to monitor and manage Earth's large-sca le biosystems is increasingly important as human activities have a widening impact on global change. EOS will allow national environmental analysis and protection policy to be grounded in scientific fact. To comply with National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requirements this Environmental Assessment (EA) has been prepared for the proposed Earth Observing System. The objective of an EA is to provide decision makers with sufficient evidence and analysis to determine whether proceeding with the proposed action requires an Environmental impact Statement (EIS) or a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to be prepared. Topics discussed include program objectives, potential environmental impacts, and alternatives to the proposed action . A summary of potential environmental impacts from EOS activities follows : Air Quality Impacts: Primary constituents of exhaust from sol id -fueled rocket motors are hydrogen chloride (HCI), carbon dioxide (C02). carbon monoxide (CO), and oxides of aluminum (AI 20x). Exhaust products are expected to be dissipated before reaching sensitive human, flora or fauna receptors. Since launches would generally be directed southerly and since the predominant wind directions are from the north, there is expected to be no impacts to communities and populated areas of western Santa Barbara County. (USAF, 1994) Operations at the payload processing facility, will include loading of propellants (hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide). Emissions from the loading process would be controlled by means of scrubbers or closed loop propellant transfer operations. When compared to a National Academy of Sciences, Committee on Toxicology Report, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Standards, and several state regulated acceptable ambient limits, the maximum predicted hydrazine emissions are below each standard or regulation. When compared to the State of California standard (for nitrogen dioxide) and OSHA Standard (nitrogen dioxide and nitrogen tetroxide) the maximum predicted nitrogen oxides emissions are below each standard. Ground operations will temporarily increase the emissions slightly from electrical power generators and vehicle traffic. These increases are not expected to have adverse impacts to air quality. Previous estimates predicted that during operation of the Spaceport, approximately 10 personnel would work at the facility. Assuming all of these personnel drive their own vehicle, approximately 20 additional vehicle trips would be generated during operation of the facility. This represents approximately 1 percent of traffic using a single entrance to Vandenberg Air Force Base (VAFB) on a daily basis, which is not considered to be of concern. (NASA 1993d). In summary, the total direct and indirect emissions from the Proposed Action, do not exceed the Federal de minimis conformity threshold for the criteria nonattainment pollutant (ozone precursors). Additionally, total emissions for each nonattainment pollutant (ozone precursors) are less than 10 percent of Santa Barbara County Air Pollution Control District's (SBCAPCD's) 1990 Base Year Annual Emission Inventory. Therefore, this Proposed Action is considered de minimis and not regionally significant. Water Quality Impacts: The nearest bodies of surface water are beyond the range of expected impacts. Moreover, the high acid neutralization characteristics of the local drainages would counteract any acidic deposition from the rocket launches (USAF, 1994). In the event that rain water absorbs HCI which might then be deposited on the ground, this natural buffering capacity of the streams would result in negligible or no change in water quality. (USAF, 1995). Land Resource Impacts: The near-field effects of launches at VAFB are also expected to be minimal or nonexistent. This is consistent with monitoring associated with Space Shuttle launches at Cape Canaveral, Florida (AIAA, 1993). Although the Space Shuttle is much larger than the rockets currently considered for launch from VAFB and uses deluge waters during its launch, the total near-field area of impact after 43 launches of the Space Shuttle was only 119 hectares (294 acres). The recorded impacts were primarily attributed to interactions of the exhaust with the deluge water. By not using deluge water during launches, the exhaust plumes are not expected to have any impact to the local flora or fauna (USAF, 1994). Since no surface or subsurface areas will be disturbed, no significant archaeological, historic, or cultural sites are expected to be affected by launching EOS spacecraft from VAFB. Noise Impacts: Noise in the form of sonic booms may potentially affect sensitive species or human populations. Peak launch noises for all potential EOS launch vehicles are experienced for a very brief time and are not expected to exceed Environmental Protection Act (EPA) or OSHA requirements and recommendations. VAFB has previously consulted with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) and is obtaining a permit from them addressing unavoidable disturbance to pinnipeds that may result from rocket launches (USAF, 1995b). A program of monitoring and reporting of noise levels and responses of the harbor seals at various haul-out areas on VAFB would be conducted for each launch operation. If the results from the monitoring reveal that the affect of the launch noise on harbor seals is more than incidental harassment, NMFS would be immediately notified, and consultation would be requested. Hazardous Waste/Spill Impacts: Hazardous and solid waste management will comply with all existing Federal, applicable State and local base regulations. Hazardous waste routinely generated by the base include oils, paints, thinners, solvents, and other regulated materials, including radioactive wastes. A Hazardous Waste Management Plan has been developed and implemented to ensure compliance with Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requirements. In addition to the Hazardous Waste Management Plan, the base has also developed a Hazardous Waste Source Reduction Compliance Plan to provide information and procedures to reduce and minimize the generation of hazardous wastes on the base. (NASA, 1993d) The potential for an accidental release of liquid propellants will be minimized by strict adherence to established safety procedures. All spills will be managed in accordance with the VAFB Spill Response Plan. First stage propellants, RP-1 and liquid oxygen, will be stored in tanks near the launch pad within cement containment basins designed to retain 110 percent of the storage tank volumes.