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Environmental

About Environmental Impact

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process begins when a federal agency develops a proposal to take a major federal action. These actions are defined at 40 CFR 1508.1. The environmental review under NEPA can involve three different levels of analysis. Learn more here: National Environmental Policy Act Review Process | US EPA.

    

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice for Actions in the Wetland/Floodplain
DPA Title III Solid Rocket Motor Production Upgrade Program
Aerojet Rocketdyne Camden, Arkansas

This public notice is to meet the requirements of Executive Orders 11990 and 11988 for early determination of actions potentially effecting floodplain and wetland areas so the public can have impact on the decision outcome. The public review period is for 30 days.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to fund an increase in production rate of solid rocket motors through the Defense Production Act (DPA) Fund. This effort is being executed under the Presidential Waiver of Statutory Requirements Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, signed on October 3, 2022. The funds will be used to build and upgrade 11 facilities at the Aerojet Rocketdyne site in Camden, Arkansas. The purpose of the Proposed Action is for the U.S. Government to fund the necessary construction, modernization, and upgrade of the Aerojet Rocketdyne production facilities for Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs). The Proposed Action is needed to increase production capacity, which is critical for national defense, as well as supporting our allies across the globe.

Proposed construction activities are subject to Executive Order (EO) 11990, Protection of Wetlands, and EO 11988, Floodplain Management, requirements, and objectives because up to approximately 0.13 acres of wetlands and 26 feet of linear feet of an ephemeral stream may be impacted. Construction would occur in up to 36.7 acres of a 100-year floodplain with no net rise in base flood elevations. Maps of the Proposed Action and impacted wetland areas are available upon request. The DAF requests advance public comment to determine if there are any public concerns regarding the project’s potential to impact wetlands and floodplains. The DAF would also like to solicit public input or comment on potential project alternatives. The proposed project will be analyzed in an EA, and there will be another opportunity for public comment on the draft EA when it is released.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

April 17, 2024, through May 17, 2024
The DAF will accept both electronic and written comments on the proposed action located in the 100-yr floodplain and wetland areas during the 30-day public comment period. Comment letters must be postmarked by May 17, 2024, and should be submitted to:

Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
1864 4th Street
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433
Phone: 937-469-1728
E-mail: bryan.ripple@us.af.mil

Additional Resources

These documents and others related to these environmental efforts may be viewed at these libraries:

Camden: Public Library of Camden, Ouachita County HQ - Arkansas State Library
Address: 405 Cash Rd SW
City: Camden
State: AR
ZIP: 71701-3735
Phone: (870) 836-5083
Fax:  (870) 836-0163

Business Hours:
Monday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Tuesday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Wednesday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Thursday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Saturday, 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Sunday, Closed

Supporting Documents:
Camden Site Map

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice for Actions in the Wetland/Floodplain
DPA Title III Solid Rocket Motor Production Upgrade Program
Aerojet Rocketdyne Orange, Virginia

This public notice is to meet the requirements of Executive Orders 11990 and 11988 for early determination of actions potentially effecting floodplain and wetland areas so the public can have impact on the decision outcome. The public review period is for 30 days.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is preparing an Environmental Assessment (EA) to fund an increase in production rate of solid rocket motors through the Defense Production Act (DPA) Fund. This effort is being executed under the Presidential Waiver of Statutory Requirements Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, signed on October 3, 2022. The funds will be used to build and upgrade 11 facilities at the Aerojet Rocketdyne site in Orange, Virginia. The purpose of the Proposed Action is for the U.S. Government to fund the necessary construction, modernization, and upgrade of the Aerojet Rocketdyne production facilities for Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs). The Proposed Action is needed to increase production capacity, which is critical for national defense, as well as supporting our allies across the globe.

Proposed construction activities are subject to Executive Order (EO) 11990, Protection of Wetlands, and EO 11988, Floodplain Management, requirements, and objectives because the facilities would be constructed on a greenfield site and have potential to impact Waters of the U.S. and floodplains. Maps of the Proposed Action and impacted wetland areas are available upon request. The DAF requests advance public comment to determine if there are any public concerns regarding the project’s potential to impact wetlands and floodplains. The DAF would also like to solicit public input or comment on potential project alternatives. The proposed project will be analyzed in an EA, and there will be another opportunity for public comment on the draft EA when it is released.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

April 18, 2024, through May 18, 2024
The DAF will accept both electronic and written comments on the proposed action located in the 100-yr floodplain and wetland areas during the 30-day public comment period. Comment letters must be postmarked by May 18, 2024, and should be submitted to:

Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
1864 4th Street
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433
Phone: 937-469-1728
E-mail: bryan.ripple@us.af.mil

Additional Resources

These documents and others related to these environmental efforts may be viewed at these libraries:

Orange:  Orange County Public Library
Address: 146 N. Madison Rd.
City:  Orange
State:  VA
Zip:  22960
Phone: (540) 672-3811
 
Business Hours:
Monday, 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday, 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday, 9:30 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Friday, 9:30 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm
Sunday, Closed

Supporting Documents:
Orange Site Map

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Notice for Review of Draft Environmental Assessment and Draft Finding of No Significant Impact
DPA Title III Solid Rocket Motor Production Upgrade Program
Aerojet Rocketdyne Camden, Arkansas

Pursuant to the provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Title 42 United States (U.S.) Code (USC) Sections 4321 to 4347, implemented by Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Regulations, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1500-1508, and 32 CFR Part 989, Environmental Impact Analysis Process, the Department of the Air Force (DAF) has prepared a Draft Environmental Assessment (EA) in response to a federally funded agreement to increase the production rate of solid rocket motors. This effort is sponsored by the Department of Defense's (DoD) Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)) and is being executed under the Presidential Waiver of Statutory Requirements Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended, signed on October 3, 2022 utilizing funding through the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act. The funds will be used to build and upgrade 11 facilities at the Aerojet Rocketdyne site in Camden, Arkansas. The purpose of the Proposed Action is for the U.S. Government to fund the necessary construction, modernization, and upgrade of the Aerojet Rocketdyne production facilities for Solid Rocket Motors (SRMs). The Proposed Action is needed to increase production capacity, which is critical for national defense, as well as supporting our allies across the globe.

The Draft EA evaluates potential impacts on the environment from the Proposed Action and announces its availability for public review. Based on analysis contained in the Draft EA, no significant adverse impacts are anticipated as a result of the Proposed Action. Accordingly, the DAF has prepared a proposed Draft Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) to document the findings of the Draft EA.

PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD:

During the public review period, the Draft EA and Draft FONSI are available for review online at (https://www.afrl.af.mil/Environmental). Hard copies of the Draft EA and Draft FONSI are also available at the following local library:

Public Library of Camden, Ouachita County HQ – Arkansas State Library
405 Cash Rd NW, Camden, AR 71701-3735
(870) 836-5083

The DAF invites public input and comment on these documents for a period 30 days from the publication of this notice. Comments or inquiries may be sent via email or letter postmarked by August 9, 2024, and should be submitted to:

Air Force Research Laboratory Public Affairs
1864 4th Street
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433
Phone: 937-469-1728
E-mail: bryan.ripple@us.af.mil