The EA determines whether or not a federal action has the potential to cause significant environmental effects. Each federal agency has adopted its own National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) procedures for the preparation of EAs

A DEP details the procedures that the agencies involved in the action will take to protect the local environment. 

A FONSI is a document that presents the reasons why the agency has concluded that there are no significant environmental impacts projected to occur upon implementation of the action.

The United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Army Space and Missile Defense Command (USASMDC).

These ARRW documents were prepared in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) (42 United States Code [USC] 4321, as amended), the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations for Implementing the Procedural Provisions of NEPA (Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations [CFR] Parts 1500–1508, July 1, 1986), the Department of the Army Procedures for Implementing NEPA (32 CFR Part 651), U.S. Air Force (USAF) Environmental Impact Analysis Process, 32 CFR Part 989, the Department of the Navy Procedures for Implementing NEPA (32 CFR Part 775), and Executive Order (EO) 12114 – Environmental Effects Abroad of Major Federal Actions.

The ARRW EA provides analysis for ARRW test series 1 and ARRW test series 2. The ARRW test series 1 impact area is within the boundaries of the Pacific Ocean. The candidate impact area included in this EA for the ARRW test series 2 is Illeginni Islet, U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll. The purpose of the EA is to assess potential impacts of the ARRW test series 1 and 2 weapon system. The USAF determined that the aerial launch from Point Mugu Sea Range (PMSR) with impact in the Ronald Reagan Ballistic Missile Defense Test Site (RTS), Illeginni Islet meets the test requirements for vehicle performance and data collection. 

Due to the ARRW system initiating from an aerial drop and inflight ignition point, screening and evaluation were limited to point of airdrop and solid rocket motor ignition, flight pattern, and impact. The on-land impact location must have the specialized infrastructure and personnel capable of conducting an ARRW flight test. The impact location must be capable of providing required range safety, including explosive safety. Lastly, the impact location must meet security requirements. 

Absolutely. The environmental review process under NEPA provides an opportunity for you to be involved in the Federal agency decision making process. It will help you understand what the Federal agency is proposing, to offer your thoughts on alternative ways for the agency to accomplish what it is proposing, and to offer your comments on the agency’s analysis of the environmental effects of the proposed action and possible mitigation of potential harmful effects of such actions.

Public comments on the Final EA, Draft FONSI will be accepted from June 8th, 2020 to July 10th, 2020 and can be provided in either of the following ways:

(1) Under the main menu, click on the Comments tab. Write your comments in the form provided.

(2) E-mail comments by July 10th, 2020 to comments@arrw-ea.com

(3) Mail comments, postmarked no later than July 10th, 2020, to:

USASMDC
ATTN: SMDC-EN (Leah Bishop)
P.O. Box 1500
Huntsville, AL 35807