Return-path: X-Andrew-Authenticated-as: 7997;andrew.cmu.edu;Ted Anderson Received: from beak.andrew.cmu.edu via trymail for +dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl@andrew.cmu.edu (->+dist+/afs/andrew.cmu.edu/usr11/tm2b/space/space.dl) (->ota+space.digests) ID ; Fri, 8 Jun 1990 01:31:17 -0400 (EDT) Message-ID: Precedence: junk Reply-To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU From: space-request+@Andrew.CMU.EDU To: space+@Andrew.CMU.EDU Date: Fri, 8 Jun 1990 01:30:38 -0400 (EDT) Subject: SPACE Digest V11 #504 SPACE Digest Volume 11 : Issue 504 Today's Topics: HAWAII/ROCKET very long - 61k Administrivia: Submissions to the SPACE Digest/sci.space should be mailed to space+@andrew.cmu.edu. Other mail, esp. [un]subscription notices, should be sent to space-request+@andrew.cmu.edu, or, if urgent, to tm2b+@andrew.cmu.edu ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: 5 Jun 90 17:35:00 GMT From: usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!bionet!arisia!cdp!jhanson@ucsd.edu Subject: HAWAII/ROCKET very long - 61k Governor Waihee and the State of Hawaii are proposing to construct a so-called commercial Rocket Launch Facility at the southern end of the Big Island of Hawaii. An Environmental Impact Statement is due to be completed in the latter part of 1990. This facility would have staggering impacts on the Big Island environment and Big Island way of life. SOLID ROCKET MOTOR EXHAUST HAZARDS The State plans to use three different rockets at the proposed rocket launch facility: the Atlas, Delta and Scout. The Scout rocket is the smallest of the three and utilizes only solid rocket motors (SRM). The Delta is a liquid-fueled rocket, however, nine "strap on" SRMs are attached to the first stage for additional boost. The Atlas rocket is the largest of the three (Atlas-I/Centaur is 140 feet long) and is a liquid-fueled rocket. A model of the Atlas that utilizes SRMs (the Atlas-IIAS), will be available in 1992. SRMs release large amounts of both aluminum (about 18% by weight) and hydrogen chloride (about 15%) into the atmosphere. Hydrogen chloride combines with water to form hydrochloric acid. One of the rockets, the Delta, releases approximately 10 tons of aluminum (as 20 tons of aluminum oxide) and about 10 tons of hydrogen chloride and chloride-containing compounds into the environment during each launch. Larger SRMs produce larger amounts of toxic materials. For example, the SRMs on the Space Shuttle produce approximately 150 tons of aluminum (as 300 tons of aluminum oxide) and approximately an equal amount of hydrogen chloride and chloride-containing compounds. ALUMINUM A recent study, reported in the British medical journal "LANCET", Jan. 14, 1989, found a direct relationship between aluminum in the water supply and Alzheimer's disease. The report concludes "The results of the present survey provide evidence of a causal relation between aluminum and Alzheimer's disease." In other words, the more aluminum that was present in the drinking water, the more cases of Alzheimer's disease that occurred. This does not mean that aluminum by itself causes Alzheimer's disease. What this does mean is that aluminum is one of the key factors in the development of Alzheimer's disease. It may be a combination of four or five things that cause the disease, but if there is less aluminum in the drinking water, there are fewer cases of Alzheimer's disease. Although some researchers have strongly criticized the way the "LANCET" study was conducted, according to the March 1990 issue of "VEGETARIAN TIMES", Michael A. Weiner Ph.D., head of the Alzheimer's Research Institute in Tiburon, Calif., said "It's a neurotoxin that has been linked to several other diseases, even if it hasn't been conclusively linked to Alzheimer's. I don't think that aluminum has any place in our food and water supply." "The release of micro-particulate aluminum oxides into our atmosphere is potentially dangerous. Research increasingly implicates lifetime accumulation of ingested or inhaled aluminum as a component cause of Alzheimer's disease. I would consign aluminum fuel to the surface of the moon and forbid earth use," Albert Sattin, M.D. associate professor of psychiatry and neurobiology, Richard L. Roudebush V.A. and Indiana University Medical Centers, said in a recent issue of "POPULAR SCIENCE" magazine. Aluminum has been used for many years in paints, coatings, foil, toothpaste, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other products. Aluminum also occurs naturally in the earth's crust in a concentration of about 8%. However, larger amounts of aluminum are associated with volcanic areas. Some soils in Hawaii contain as much as 31.7% aluminum. The hazards of excessive aluminum in the environment and its deleterious effect on our health have been studied extensively by scientists in the last ten years. The studies of most concern are the problems of excessive aluminum in the food and water, and the dangers of inhaling airborne aluminum. First, how does aluminum gets into the water supply? Initially, aluminum in the soil is in a relatively inactive form. It remains harmless until acid rain leaches aluminum, along with other toxic metals (lead, etc.), out of the soil. In nature, acid rain occurs when sulphur dioxide from a volcano combines with water to form sulfuric acid. Food and water contamination are not the only problems. Scientists at the Mount Sinai Medical Center have shown in animal experiments that the metal can enter the central nervous system through the nose and destroy cells in the brain (UPI, May 1, 1987). Though further studies need to be done, airborne aluminum from rocket exhaust may represent a significant health risk. Certainly, the many Big Island residents depending upon rain catchment are particularly sensitive to atmospheric pollution from rocket launch activities. In order to provide an adequate Environmental Impact Statement, the State needs to examine the impacts the added burden of rocket launch pollution will have on drinking water supplies. ROCKET ACID AND PLANTS Former admiral Hayward stated on Dec. 18, 1989, that the volcano releases more acid than the rockets, therefore acid would not be a problem. The volcano does exceed the proposed rocket acid in total volume, but in a different form. The volcano releases sulfuric acid, whereas SRMs produce a much more concentrated hydrochloric acid. A government report titled "ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FATE OF SOLID ROCKET EXHAUST", Oct. 15, 1974, states: "The basic hypothesis common to the experiments described here is simply that exposure to SRM exhaust will reduce the rate of growth." The results of the experiments indicate a wide range of damage responses depending upon the type of plant and the concentration of hydrogen chloride. Another government report titled "EFFECT OF DESIGNATED POLLUTANTS ON PLANTS", Nov. 1977, found that a single short exposure to moderate levels of HCl (hydrogen chloride) gas resulted in a significant loss in final yield if exposure occurred when the plant was a certain age. We were not able to find any data on exposure of macadamia nut trees or coffee plants to SRM exhaust. Also, it is not clear how SRM exhaust contamination of grasses in the Ka'u area will affect our milk supply. These important studies need to be undertaken by the State in order to provide an adequate Environmental Impact Statement. ROCKET ACID AND ALUMINUM EFFECTS ON ANIMALS The previously mentioned report, "ECOLOGICAL EFFECTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FATE OF SOLID ROCKET EXHAUST", describes egg hatchability studies on cattle egrets and domestic chickens. The studies described depressed hatchability from exposure to hydrogen chloride. In the domestic chicken studies: "The data reported suggests that the lethal factors of the exhaust cloud are cumulative since hatchability is reduced both with higher concentration and with repeated exposure." This report also cites SRM exhaust toxicity studies on mice stating: "In all instances, exposure to the exhaust caused signs of respiratory distress and dyspnea in the mice." Furthermore, "HCl (hydrogen chloride) is a respiratory irritant in the aqueous or acid form. Constriction of the bronchioles after exposure to low levels of the acid is not an uncommon finding. Coupled with the added effects of the particulate AL2O3 (aluminum oxide), the effects of HCl become more dramatic." The study concludes: "The presence of the particulate AL2O3 appears to act synergistically with HCl in causing acute toxicity to cotton mice." The study indicates that the combination of AL2O3 and HCl is ten times more toxic than HCl alone. We were not able to find studies concerning the chronic effects of SRM exhaust. The State needs to conduct these important studies on the fauna specific to the Ka'u area in order to provide a complete Environmental Impact Statement. PERSISTENCE OF POLLUTION IN WEST HAWAII A government report titled "HAWAII MESOSCALE ENERGY AND CLIMATE PROJECT", Nov. 1980, clearly shows how our Kona wind patterns are presently carrying volcano effluents to West Hawaii. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect rocket effluents also will be similarly transported. Former admiral Hayward stated on Dec. 18, 1989, that the aluminum oxide released from the rockets would rapidly fall to earth, therefore aluminum would not be a problem. According to a government report, "ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY OF TOXIC EXHAUSTS", Feb. 1976, 99% of a rocket exhaust aluminum oxide sample consisted of very fine particles of the submicron sizes (aluminum oxide smoke). Furthermore, the report describes hydrogen chloride adsorption experiments showing the aluminum oxide particles were 73% covered with hydrogen chloride molecules. The fact that the aluminum oxide smoke is coated with hydrogen chloride explains why it "...wipes the paint off structures", according to NASA Environmental Compliance Officer Lewis Andrews (West Hawaii Today, April 9, 1987). According to Jim Morrow of the American Lung Association, submicron airborne particles are so small that they do not settle to the ground the way larger particles will. Particles of this very small size can only (with minor exceptions such as inhalation and conglomeration) be removed by rain washing them out of the atmosphere. Therefore, one could conclude that there would be a buildup of aluminum oxide smoke (73% covered with hydrogen chloride) on the west side of the Big Island until rain cleansed the atmosphere. In view of studies of mice showing the synergistically deleterious effects of hydrogen chloride and aluminum oxide, the State needs to study the chronic impacts of this pollutant on our already poor air quality. This is particularly important for residents with cardiac and respiratory problems. For example, what will the effects be on residents in nursing homes? Could the additional pollutants increase "general anesthesia" mortality rates or slow recovery from surgery? EXCESSIVE HYDROGEN CHLORIDE A government document titled "PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE PROGRAMS", Feb. 1986, shows that on-pad catastrophes of both the Scout and Delta rockets can cause peak aluminum oxide concentrations of 1 mg/m3 as far as 6.2 miles from the launch pad. My calculations show that this is approximately equivalent to 7 ppm. If these aluminum oxide particles are 73% covered with hydrogen chloride, then 73% x 7 ppm equals approximately 5 ppm hydrogen chloride. In the event of an on-pad catastrophe, and if our assumptions are correct, the 10 minute hydrogen chloride exposure limit of 4 ppm for bystanders will be exceeded 6.2 miles from the launch pad. The town of Na'alehu is less than three miles from the nearest proposed launch pad at Kahilipali Point. The town of Pahala is about three miles from nearest proposed launch pad at Palima Point. RAINING ACID A government report titled "STS-5 (SPACE TRANSPORT SYSTEM-5) FISH KILL, KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLORIDA", Jan. 1983, studied fish kills that were observed following Space Transport System (STS) launches. The USAF Occupational and Environmental Health Laboratory was requested to conduct an on-site investigation of any possible fish kill associated with STS-5 on 11 November 1982. Due to the acuteness of the fish kills and close association with time of launch, STS exhaust products, such as HCl and/or aluminum oxide were suspected as the cause. Other potential causes considered included diseases, parasites, mechanical interference with respiration, insufficient oxygen, trauma, temperature and pH changes and exposure to other toxic substances. The conclusion was that the fish died from ionic imbalances and fatal anoxia resulting from severe gill damage caused by a rapid decrease in the water pH. The previously mentioned government document titled "PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL EXPENDABLE LAUNCH VEHICLE PROGRAMS" states: "Modeling of acidic rain potential from the Titan III ground cloud has resulted in conclusions that rain acidities of pH less than 1.0 are possible at distances of up to 12.4 miles from the launch site under certain meteorological conditions." (If you read that the same way we did, you are not chemists either.) We showed this to a fellow who has a Ph.D. in chemistry and he said, "That is not acid rain, that is raining acid." According to a spokesman from Exide Battery Company, acid rain with a pH of 1.0 is about the same as typical battery acid. (Lemon juice with a pH of about 2.0, is about 10 times less acidic.) The previously identified government document has a chart that shows acid rain with a pH of less than 3.0 is possible up to 124 miles from the launch site. These calculations were based upon a standard Titan III ground cloud. The State is not planning to use the Titan III, however, I do not have these particular calculations on the Scout or Delta. It is possible that either one may be as bad in the event of an on-pad catastrophe. The State needs to analyze the adverse effects of rain with a pH of less than 3.0 on flora, fauna and property. For example, what happens to various kinds of paint, clothing, marine mammals, sea turtles, birds, tourists and pets? If a baby was left unattended and subsequently sprinkled with raining acid, how serious would that be? What effects will fish kills have on our fishing industry? MAJOR EXHAUST PRODUCTS The following is a list of the major rocket launch exhaust products along with associated health risks: ALUMINUM OXIDE is an eye and mucous membrane irritant. Prolonged exposure may effect the lungs. Persons with chronic respiratory disease may be at increased risk from exposure. High levels of aluminum in the brain have been associated with senility and Alzheimer's disease (HAZARDLINE). CARBON MONOXIDE is a chemical asphyxiant. No adverse effects are observed at concentrations of 100-200 ppm over 8 hours. At 400-500 ppm for one hour, headache and dyspnea may occur. If activity is increased, symptoms will include nausea, irritability, increased respiration, tinnitus, sweating, chest pain, confusion, impaired judgement, dizziness, weakness, drowsiness, cyanosis and pallor. Concentrations in excess of 1000 ppm will cause collapse, unconsciousness, respiratory failure, and death if exposure lasts over an hour. Following recovery, there may be neurologic disturbances, with hyperactivity, psychotic behavior, visual disturbances and convulsions. At a level of 12,800 PPM, immediate unconsciousness and death will occur in 1-3 minutes. Symptoms are myonecrosis, neuropathy, thrombocytopenic purpura, retrobulbar neuritis, and neuroretinal edema. Repeated anoxia can lead to central nervous system damage, with loss of sensation in the fingers, amnesia and mental deterioration. Damage may also occur to the lungs, liver, kidneys, spleen and other organs. Chronic cardiovascular disease increases the damage by carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide has no warning signs. The threshold limit value was set to prevent systemic intoxication. The NIOSH values are recommended to prevent acute poisoning, myocardial changes, and adverse behavioral effects (HAZARDLINE). CHLORINE is a severe pulmonary irritant and skin irritant. Acute exposure effects both the upper and lower respiratory tract. Symptoms of exposure are severe eye, nose, and oral irritation, with lacrimation, cyanosis, rhinorrhea, choking and substernal pain. Other symptoms may be nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness and unconsciousness. Tracheobronchitis may progress to pulmonary edema and pneumonitis. Chronic exposure may irritate the skin and erode the teeth. Direct contact causes serious eye and skin burns. The distinctive odor of chlorine is a good warning sign. Although it can be detected below the permissible exposure limit, olfactory fatigue can occur. The threshold limit value was set to minimize chronic lung changes and dental erosion. Chlorine is mutagenic (causes genetic mutations) (HAZARDLINE). HYDROGEN CHLORIDE is a severe pulmonary and skin irritant. Acute exposure causes irritation of the throat, with coughing and choking. Intense exposure produces delayed pulmonary edema. Direct contact produces serious corneal and skin burns. Chronic contact may cause nasal ulceration, dental erosion and dermatitis. Hydrogen chloride is mutagenic (HAZARDLINE). NITRIC OXIDE exposure causes fatigue and gastrointestinal upset. Acute exposure also effects the nervous system, with symptoms of headache, loss of appetite, cyanosis, drowsiness, unconsciousness and death. The odor of nitric oxide is detectable well below the permissible exposure limit, and is rated as a good warning sign (HAZARDLINE). The State needs to compute worst-case scenarios to determine peak exposures for these dangerous chemicals. Studies need to be done on the impacts of long-term exposures. MAJOR FLUIDS AND GASES USED FOR LAUNCHING The potentially hazardous fluids used in the Atlas and Delta rockets are liquid oxygen (LO2), liquid nitrogen (LN2), liquid hydrogen (LH2), Aerozine-50 (an equal blend of dimethylhydrazine and hydrazine), nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) and RP-1 (a highly refined kerosene). If large quantities were spilled, either liquid oxygen or liquid nitrogen could cause local damage because of the intense cold, -297 and -320 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively. If liquid oxygen is mixed with finely divided combustible material (dust), it forms explosive mixtures. The evaporation of gaseous oxygen from liquid oxygen will also intensify any pre-existing fire. The evaporation of gaseous nitrogen from a liquid nitrogen spill is inert, but in high concentrations, it is an asphyxiant. DIMETHYLHYDRAZINE (UDMH) is corrosive to the eyes, skin and respiratory system. It is readily absorbed through the skin, lungs and gastrointestinal system, causing choking, angina, dyspnea, lethargy, nausea, anoxia and convulsions. Liver and kidney damage may occur. Chronic exposure may cause hemolytic anemia and convulsions. Dimethylhydrazine is carcinogenic (causes cancer) in mice following oral administration. Eighty-one percent of mice subcutaneously injected with dimethylhydrazine developed colon cancer and 76% developed squamous cell carcinoma (HAZARDLINE). HYDRAZINE is an eye and mucous membrane irritant, severe skin irritant and convulsant. Acute poisoning by all routes causes irritation, dizziness, nausea and convulsions. Hemolysis, bronchitis and pulmonary edema may occur. Direct contact results in serious corneal and skin burns. There is sufficient evidence of carcinogenicity in experimental animals. Administered orally, mainly as hydrazine sulfate, a high incidence of multiple pulmonary adenomas and adenocarcinomas, hepatomas and hepatocarcinomas of several strains were produced in mice. Low-level exposure to hydrazine caused lung tumors in a small number of mice. Intraperitoneal injection of hydrazine in saline to several strains of mice produced sarcomas of the mediastinum, leukemias and lung tumors. Administration of the sulfate to rats caused lung adenomas and adenocarcinomas, liver adenocarcinomas and mammary fibroadenomas (HAZARDLINE). NITROGEN DIOXIDE (nitrogen tetroxide) is a severe pulmonary irritant. Acute exposure to nitrogen dioxide causes progressive weakness, coughing, dyspnea, asthma, cyanosis and fever several hours or even a few days following one or repeated exposures to 50-300 ppm. Exposure to concentrations above 300 ppm leads to pulmonary edema, bronchitis, and pneumonitis. The nervous system may be effected, with signs of headache, dizziness, weakness, ataxia, delirium, unconsciousness and convulsions. If the circulatory system is involved, symptoms are rapid pulse, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmias and tachycardia. Pure nitrogen dioxide produces methemoglobinemia. Eye contact with nitrogen dioxide may produce conjunctivitis, edema of the eyelids and corneal ulceration. Skin contact may cause yellowish discoloration. Symptoms arising from chronic exposure are insomnia, headache, nasal and oral ulcerations, anorexia, indigestion, dental erosion, weakness, bronchitis and emphysema. Nitrogen dioxide is teratogenic (causes birth defects), mutagenic (causes genetic mutations), and tumorigenic (causes tumors) (HAZARDLINE). The Atlas-I/Centaur requires a monthly supply of the following fluids and gases regardless of launch schedules: 235,031 m3 (1 cubic meter = 35.314 cubic feet) of gaseous nitrogen, 16,990 m3 of gaseous helium, 4,436 kg (1 kilogram = 2.2046 pounds) of liquid hydrogen, 14 metric tons (1 metric ton = 2,204.6 pounds) of liquid nitrogen, 45 metric tons of liquid oxygen and 408 kg (kilogram = 2.2046 pounds) of hydrogen peroxide. Each launch requires an additional 566,340 m3 of gaseous nitrogen, 33,980 m3 of gaseous helium, 7,257 kg of liquid hydrogen, 82 metric tons of liquid nitrogen, 272 metric tons of liquid oxygen, and 57 kl (1 kiloliter = 264.18 gallons) of RP-1 (ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER or EISKSC). The Delta requires a monthly minimum of the following: 1,416 m3 of gaseous nitrogen, 1,416 m3 of gaseous helium, 45 metric tons of liquid nitrogen and 18 metric tons of liquid oxygen. Each launch requires: 1,814 kg of Aerozine-50, 2,858 kg of nitrogen tetroxide, 2,832 m3 of gaseous nitrogen, 4,248 m3 of gaseous helium, 73 metric tons of liquid nitrogen, 91 metric tons of liquid oxygen, and 32 kl of RP-1 (EISKSC). Kennedy Space Center releases 0.65 metric tons of ammonia, UDMH, MMH, and hydrazine each year through venting and evaporation alone. Additionally, thousands of tons of other material are released into the atmosphere each year (EISKSC). HOW LETHAL IS NITROGEN TETROXIDE? The following information concerning nitrogen tetroxide was published by the International Fire Service Training Association, an affiliation of Oklahoma State University. Doctor Fred Miller of the Environmental Policy Institute has said, and other experts agree, that nitrogen tetroxide is as toxic as methyl isocyanate. Methyl isocyanate is the chemical that escaped from the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, India in Dec., 1984. According to the Indian government, 2,500 people were killed and 100,000 injured. A lethal concentration of this gas lingered in the city throughout the night and into the next day. It has been estimated that approximately 8,000 people have died or will die as a result of inhaling unacceptable concentrations of methyl isocyanate during this incident. NITROGEN TETROXIDE - A DELAYED KILLER If nitrogen tetroxide (N2O4) is accidentally released into the environment, the vapors, which are heavier than air, will form a nitric acid mist in the immediate spill area. As it moves downwind and downhill, it dissociates to nitrogen dioxide (NO2), which has an OSHA TLV (threshold limit value) of 5 ppm. Very short exposures to vapor concentrations above 200 ppm may cause death despite medical treatment. (As a point of comparison, 200 ppm is about the same as releasing the volume of a party balloon into a three-bedroom house). Nitrogen tetroxide can be inhaled in lethal concentrations with very little warning or serious irritation. It is very corrosive to the upper respiratory system. Exposure can occur with no indication or obvious need for medical attention. Breathing even a small amount of the gas can cause death in as little as four to six hours. However, death can also occur after four to six days. Death is usually due to pulmonary edema (chemical pneumonia) or associated complications. ON-SITE INCINERATION OF HAZARDOUS WASTES The facility will probably include diesel fuel-fired incinerators for certain chemical wastes. Kennedy Space Center presently incinerates about 2,600 kl of material contaminated with hypergolic (UDMH, MMH, and hydrazine) fuels annually (EISKSC). Recently, the incineration of hazardous wastes has been the subject of much criticism by environmental groups. The major problem is the "products of incomplete combustion" (PIC). Among the more notoriously toxic PICs that were identified in a study by the EPA of eight hazardous waste incinerators, were benzine, chloroform, tetrachloroethylene and naphthalene, as well as formaldehyde, phosgene, dioxins and furans, and these were only a fraction of the chemicals that are actually present in stack gases. Another EPA study questions "...whether the 90-99 percent of the hydrocarbons which have not been identified could result in a significant risk to human health." Additionally, thousands of tons of hazardous waste generated each year at Kennedy Space Center are shipped to off-site contractors for disposal (EISKSC). State Health Director John Lewin recently went on record against a toxic waste incinerator proposed for Oahu. He reportedly said that he wants no part of a toxic waste incinerator because of "nightmarish" reports of health-related problems on the mainland. The State's Environmental Impact Statement must address these important aspects of waste disposal. If the operators of the proposed facility intend to incinerate hazardous waste, this clearly constitutes yet another magnitude of risk for the residents of the Big Island. If there are no plans to operate an incinerator, what are the alternatives? Where will the hazardous waste be shipped? Most importantly, the State's Environmental Impact Statement must study the impacts of habitually exposing residents to teratogenic, mutagenic, and tumorigenic chemicals. FUEL AND PAYLOAD TRANSPORT Additional problems associated with launching satellites include transport of vast quantities of toxic and/or carcinogenic fuels such as liquid hydrogen, nitrogen tetroxide and hydrazine. Of greater concern are the very deadly payloads such as plutonium and beryllium. It is expected that most of this deadly material will be transported through Hilo. If an accident occurs while transporting or handling these materials, it could kill or injure a large number of residents or tourists. Class A poisons, such as nitrogen tetroxide, phosgene, cyanide and arsine, usually must be transported in special containers weighing up to one ton each. The Department of Transportation, in accordance with a risk assessment provided by the Department of Defense, has authorized an exemption to this regulation. This exemption allows nitrogen tetroxide to be transported by tank trucks in 3,000- to 4,000-gallon loads. Damage to a tank trailer in a shipment of this size can mean total release and a very long downwind vapor cloud. A release involving 3,000 gallons of nitrogen tetroxide could create lethal concentrations of these heavier-than-air toxic gases as far as two miles upwind and 12 miles downwind (International Fire Service Training Association). "If, during the transportation of a module to or from the HMF (Hypergol Maintenance Facility), an accident occurred causing rupture of one or both tanks containing fuel and oxidizer, release of toxic fumes and fire could take place in an open-air, uncontrolled environment. Fire, rescue and safety personnel accompanying the convoy would take immediate action to flood the area with water and to obtain real-time predictions of downwind concentrations and transport direction of the pollutants. Personnel within the predicted hazardous zones would be evacuated until a sweep of the area, using detectors for hazardous substances, confirmed acceptable levels have been reached. Such an event could cause damage or death to local flora and fauna within the path of the resultant cloud, depending on its concentration and the speed of its passage." (EISKSC). If there is an accident involving plutonium, it may take 50,000 years before humans would be allowed to move back! California cities are fighting against the transportation of toxic rocket fuels through their communities ("TOXIC MATERIALS TRANSPORT", Dec. 15, 1987). Vandenberg Air Force Base gets about 50 shipments of rocket fuel each year (about one per week) and local officials were concerned because notification was not always given, and that accurate assessments of risk had not been done. At least, California HAS alternate routes it can use. On the Big Island, there are NO alternate routes. Residents unacquainted with the rocket launching process will have difficulty visualizing the enormous amounts of materials that are required to launch a rocket. The State's Environmental Impact Statement must address issues such as how many truckloads of chemicals are required to launch each rocket. Will residents living within 12 miles of the roadway have to be evacuated during a nitrogen tetroxide shipment? How many times will the roads, airports, and harbors have to be closed in order to transport hazardous materials? HUMAN EVICTION At the Dec. 1, 1989 public meeting in Na'alehu concerning the proposed Rocket Launch Facility at Kahilipali Point, one of the major issues was that so many residents will be forced to leave their homes during a launch. Using 35 launches per year and two days eviction for each one, it was originally estimated that eviction could amount to a total of 70 days per year. However, a Titan III launch originally scheduled from Cape Canaveral on Dec. 7, 1989 was postponed nine times for a total of 21 days! Therefore, it would appear 70 days would be the minimum estimate and no reliable maximum estimate can be made as to how long residents would be evicted from their homes each year. In response to those concerns, former admiral Hayward stated that he was going to move the population control zone closer to the launch pads. He stated that he was "...placing the burden on the rockets instead of the residents". The good news was, the police would be forcing fewer residents to leave their homes during a launch (although who would choose to stay that close even if they could). The bad news was, rockets would be allowed less deviation from their programmed course before being blown up. The State must first determine a realistic population control zone, then admit that all those who live within that zone will have to leave their homes permanently. The population control zone must allow for reasonable changes in safety standards. For example, if hydrogen chloride is acceptable at four ppm today and five years from now scientists discover two ppm is the maximum allowed for safe health, then the State must use its best efforts to foresee this eventuality. In order to accurately assess the risks, the State must also examine classified military documents to see what types of deadly material would be launched here. Finally, the growth of the facility must be taken into account. If an honest evaluation were done, it would probably conclude that it would be necessary to relocate the towns of Na'alehu, Pahala and all those who live nearby. ROCKET RELIABILITY AND FREE-FLYING SRMs A Federal Government publication entitled "REDUCING LAUNCH OPERATING COSTS", Sept. 1988, states that the minimum reliability for the Delta rocket is 90%, for the Atlas rocket, it is 81%. This means if the operators of the facility have bad luck, one out every ten Delta rockets and one out of every five Atlas rockets will explode. This number of failures is considered acceptable to those who launch rockets. These official estimates are based on a normal population control zone and do not account for any additional burdens on the rockets due to bystanders being so close during a launch. Therefore, one might assume that a higher-than-average number of explosions could be expected at Kahilipali Point. If a smaller than average population control zone is actually used, the State will have to compute new figures for rocket reliability. A recently completed Air Force study concludes that in the case of launch vehicle breakup, solid rocket boosters may detach themselves and fly a considerable distance on their own. This may pose a significant safety hazard to residents living within 2.5 miles of the launch pads. The EIS must carefully study this hazard for the Atlas-IIAS and Delta rockets. The State must also examine all aspects of insurance coverage, particularly with a smaller-than-normal population control zone. MILITARY AND ECONOMICS How can a commercial launch facility with a higher-than-average number of explosions be economically viable? The August 1987 A.D. Little report concerning projected satellite launches and present world-wide launch capacity concludes commercial launch demand based on the most optimistic scenario is about 50% of present world-wide launch capacity. Adding 15 launches per year for NASA and the Department of Defense, it is still only about 75% of present launch capacity. Why build a new rocket launch facility? What is wrong with this picture? STAR WARS! This is what John Pike of the Federation of American Scientists in Washington, D.C. says: "Presently, there is not enough commercial business to fully utilize existing launch facilities. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) or Star Wars is the only reason to build the proposed Rocket Launch Facility in Hawaii. SDI is presently the only game in town." This explains why former admiral Hayward appears to be having difficulty delivering a list of commercial customers. However, there will be plenty of military business, including military payloads from foreign governments. For example, the Dec. 31, 1989 launch from Cape Canaveral included payloads from the British Defense Ministry. The State's Environmental Impact Statement must address exactly who will be launching here and what they will be launching. JAPANESE INVOLVEMENT According to an article that appeared in the Asahi News Service, July 21, 1989, Governor Waihee is actively courting Japanese partners in his rocket launching venture. Interested parties are thought to include Shimizu Construction, Taisei Engineering, Ohbayashi Construction and possibly NEC (private correspondence). According to the article, a Japanese spokesman said U.S. defense contractors, such as General Dynamics, McDonnell Douglas and Martin Marietta, would likely put up the estimated $500,000,000 needed for construction. With Star Wars money paying the lion's share of the cost of the facility, the Japanese could use Hawaii at bargain prices. Other than bargain prices, one of the reasons that Japan might want to launch here is that their own principal launch facility is limited to two launches per year to protect their fishing industry from harm (A.D. Little, 1987). According to an article that appeared in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin on Dec. 12, 1989, Japan is importing up to 45 tons of plutonium. It seems likely that much of this plutonium will find its way into their space program. Since they have first-hand experience in radiation cancers and deaths, it is NOT likely that they will launch rockets containing plutonium from their own country. Governor Waihee killed legislation that would have prohibited launching nuclear and military payloads from Hawaii, thus giving tacit approval to Japanese using the Big Island as a dumping ground to protect their own environment. The State's Environmental Impact Statement must examine exactly what damage occurs to the Japanese fishing industry when Japan launches rockets. If Japan intends to launch plutonium payloads here, we need to address that issue in the Environmental Impact Statement. One possible way for the State to mitigate the plutonium issue would be to require that whoever launches plutonium set up a trust fund. The trust fund would be used to pay the costs of cancer treatment. Additionally, if the victims are breadwinners, the trust fund could support their survivors. DANGERS TO TOURISM AND JAPANESE INVESTMENT If Governor Waihee's proposed Rocket Launch Facility becomes a reality, many residents will be forced to leave their homes either because they are too close to the launch site, they are no longer able to make a living in Ka'u due to increases in the cost of living or other economic dislocations, they can no longer breathe due to degradation in air quality or they simply do not want to live in the shadow of Star Wars and the military. Forcing residents out of their homes, for any reason, certainly will generate a lot of RAGE. If the Japanese take the Governor up on his offer and use the Big Island as a dumping ground to protect their own environment, it is likely we would see a nationalistic-backlash-rage against Japanese-owned business here on the Big Island. I have personally heard a lot of evidence to support this in both Ka'u and Kona, and have already seen some of it in action. Exactly what form this rage would take as the prospect of the proposed Rocket Launch Facility comes nearer, one can only speculate. Needless to say, if a Japanese tourist were killed or injured, it would be very bad for tourist businesses and Japanese tourist-related investment in Hawaii. It is fair to assume that once we begin launching military payloads, we will be targeted by Soviet nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles and even more anger will result. The State's Environmental Impact Statement must examine the potentially disastrous impacts that anti-Japanese riots would have on our economy. Perhaps even greater issues of international trade and world peace should also be addressed. PLUTONIUM 238 AND OTHER IONIZING RADIATION "Materials and machinery which produce radiated energy of high enough potential to ionize air (33 electron-volts and up) are termed ionizing radiation sources. They present the greatest potential radiation hazard to the environment because of their ability to cause physiological damage to living organisms and, for radioactive materials, the potential for long-term contamination to irradiated zones. Major sources of ionizing radiation include: Californium 252, Iridium 192, Cobalt 60, Plutonium 238, and numerous machine sources." (EISKSC). Radioactive materials will be launched in both military and civilian satellites. A space-related newsletter entitled "SPACELINE", dated Sept. 1989, states that radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) are quite common in the U.S. space program. RTGs are used in satellites to provide power for instruments and experiments. The recent Galileo satellite carried more than 40 pounds of plutonium 238, one of the most toxic substances known. The U.S. has launched more than 30 RTGs with a significant failure rate of 10-15%. Additionally, many of the space-based weapons systems and sensors envisioned by SDI and Governor Waihee would require orbiting nuclear power plants presently under development by the SP 100 Space Reactor Program. An accident that dusted the Big Island with plutonium would be devastating. Plutonium remains deadly for thousands of years. Just how bad could it be if 40 pounds of plutonium landed on Hilo? Here is some data supplied by the Rocky Mountain Institute. 25 milligrams of plutonium would be enough for about 2,000 cancer-causing doses if it were uniformly distributed into lungs. Therefore, 40 pounds of plutonium would be enough to give cancer to about 1,449,600,000 people. Of course, the plutonium would not be uniformly distributed into lungs. Nevertheless, it gives readers a sense of just how bad things could be if there were an accident either while flying plutonium into Hilo or moving plutonium from Hilo to the launch site. Certainly, if we were unlucky enough to have an experimental Space Reactor aboard one of the rockets that will explode, (statistically one out every ten Delta rockets and one out of every five Atlas rockets) it would be a disaster of the first magnitude. Other radioactive wastes produced during routine operation of the proposed rocket launch facility will be collected in barrels and shipped off-site to a federal repository (EISKSC). The State's Environmental Impact Report must study the hazards associated with plutonium. What would be the impacts if plutonium were scattered on the Big Island? How many residents would be killed outright? How many of the various types of cancers could we expect over the years from various amounts of exposure? How many birth defects? Launching rockets to the east could endanger South America, to the south, Tahiti. What would be the risks to South America or Tahiti if a rocket launch failure contaminated either of them with plutonium? Who would pay the damages? What are the dangers in shipping radioactive wastes off-site? PREVIOUS MILITARY ADVENTURES IN THE MARSHALL ISLANDS An article in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, on Jan. 14, 1990, described some of the effects military activities have had on the Marshall Islands. "From 1946 until 1958, the United States detonated 66 atomic bombs at Bikini and Eniwetok atoll. Hundreds of islanders suffered severe burns, hair loss and vomiting. On Rongelap, which was covered by snowy clouds of radioactive coral dust after the 15-megaton 'Bravo' hydrogen bomb blast on Bikini in 1954, doctors found 96 percent of children under 10 suffered thyroid abnormalities. Most required surgery. "But a recent government study showed that 91 percent of 314 Marshallese tested had radiation-induced blood disorders. More that half those tested in another study had chromosome damage. Other researchers reported vastly increased of rates of genital and thyroid cancer, leukemia and cataracts. One report found double the rates of stillbirths and miscarriages, including strange, spineless fetuses. "Almira Matayoshi, a Rongelap native, testified last August. 'One time I gave birth to a baby without any bones. I did not have problems like this before the bomb.' "'People here call them jelly babies,' explained Wayne Briscoe, lawyer for the Nuclear Claims Tribunal. "Plutonium-contaminated topsoil and debris was buried under an 18 inch-thick concrete dome on Runit Island in Eniwetok. 'It's off-limits for 50,000 years,' Briscoe said. 'But the concrete will only last 300.'" In order for residents to properly estimate hazards associated with military payloads, the State's Environmental Impact Statement must determine if contamination of the Marshall Islands was just an oversight on the part of the military or did it happen because of NATIONAL SECURITY? BERYLLIUM POWERED ROCKETS Military payloads will include a new weapons system called Space Based Interceptors (SBI). Morton Thiokol is building a solid-fueled first stage, which uses beryllium hydride fuel, to be used for SBIs. Beryllium replaces the aluminum in the fuel, reducing fuel weight by about 45%. This results in a 27-inch long rocket that uses 150 pounds of propellant. According to an article that appeared in "MILITARY SPACE", Aug. 1, 1988, in order to test the Morton Thiokol engine in simulated high altitude conditions, the Air Force Astronautics Laboratory built a test chamber at Edwards AFB, California. Because of beryllium's high toxicity (which is several hundred times greater than arsenic), the facility uses positive pressure, automated controls and a massive filtration system to contain exhaust from rocket tests. According to an article that appeared in "SDI MONITOR", July 25, 1988, the lab plans to test rockets with aluminum propellants for the next two years and then begin tests with beryllium hydride engines. Beryllium is also used as structural material in space technology, nuclear reactor technology and internal guidance systems. When beryllium is shipped in powder or flake form, it must be labeled as poison. Beryllium-powered motors would not intentionally be ignited in the atmosphere. However, if a launch accident were to cause the beryllium to burn, breathing the smoke would be fatal. Portions of an article that appeared in The San Francisco Chronicle on Dec. 12, 1989, "Members of two Washington-based scientific and environmental groups said that the use of beryllium fuel on the scale contemplated by the military would be extremely dangerous, given the probability of a launch failure. 'It's quite likely that in the process of deploying space-based interceptors, you're going to have at least one launch vehicle failure that could result in the release of significant amounts of beryllium,' said John E. Pike, associate director for space policy of the American Federation of Scientists. "'Given the probability of a launch failure, it's an unacceptable risk.' "Data provided by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration show that 5 percent to 10 percent of unmanned civilian and military launches fail." BERYLLIUM and its compounds are severe pulmonary irritants, skin irritants and skin sensitizers. The principal symptom of acute exposure is dyspnea. Chronic inhalation causes "berylliosis" (chronic pulmonary granulomatosis). The disease begins with dyspnea and cough and progresses to anorexia, fatigue and weakness. Skin contact will result in dermatitis leading to moderate and severe burns. Eye contact produces conjunctivitis. Soluble compounds are both acutely and chronically toxic; insoluble compounds are only chronically hazardous. There is limited evidence for carcinogenicity in humans and sufficient evidence in experimental animals. Epidemiological studies show that occupational exposure to beryllium may lead to pulmonary cancer. Beryllium metal produced lung tumors in rats exposed via inhalation or intratracheally, and osteosarcomas in rabbits following intravenous and/or intramedullary administration. The OSHA standard was adopted to prevent toxic effects other than cancer (HAZARDLINE). The State's Environmental Impact Statement must examine what effects accidents involving beryllium-powered rockets will have on the residents of the Big Island. For example, if an accident with beryllium occurred at the Hilo Airport, how many people would die outright, how many would experience cancer over the years? THE ADVANCED LAUNCH SYSTEM In addition to the State's current effort, and not officially linked in any way, the Air Force and NASA are currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement to use Hawaii for the Advanced Launch System (ALS). ALS is funded entirely by the military. The purpose of ALS is to initially lift 160,000 lb., 43 by 125 foot payloads into near-polar low earth orbit (LEO), expanding into a lift capability of 320,000 lb., 54 by 158 foot payloads. The Space Shuttle, (presently our largest) can place approximately 30,000 lb. into near-polar LEO. The exact configurations of the ALS rockets are not known. However, it appears the percentage of hydrogen chloride will be reduced to 3% by weight. If one were to extrapolate, based upon the lift capability of the Space Shuttle (ALS is ten times larger), one could guess that the expanded ALS rockets might release approximately 3,000 tons of aluminum oxide and 300 tons of hydrogen chloride from their SRMs each launch. The military expects up to 60 ALS launches per year ("PRELIMINARY ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS SURVEY, U.S. AIR FORCE, SPACE DIVISION, ADVANCED LAUNCH SYSTEM", Sept. 1988). Specific Hawaii sites mentioned in the ALS document are Palima Point, Kahilipali Point, South Point and an offshore launch platform. ALS cannot use existing launch pads and new ones will have to be built. If ALS pads were to be constructed at existing sites, Vandenberg Air Force Base (California) would have to be used for polar orbits and Cape Canaveral (Florida) would have to be used for equatorial orbits. According to John Pike, the launch areas of those two facilities are presently congested. Furthermore, having to use two separate locations would be much more inconvenient. Public opposition to ALS is already strong in California (John Kemp). If residents in either California or Florida are able to block ALS in their states, the Big Island is the only alternative! Although an Air Force directive received Dec. 8, 1989, would scale back the ALS program to focus on technology research rather than system development (the scaled-back effort would be known as the Advanced Launch Technology Program), Edward A. Gabris, the ALS Manager in NASA's advanced program office, said "We're certainly committed to the program". The State's Environmental Impact Statement must determine what effect its so-called commercial Rocket Launch Facility may have on placement of the Advanced Launch System and other military activities. If the State's facility would make it more likely for any increased military activity on the Big Island, then that information must be included in the State's Environmental Impact Statement. OTHER BIG ISLAND ADVANTAGES FOR THE MILITARY The military wants the Big Island primarily because of its location. Just one set of new launch pads on the Big Island can place ALS satellites into both polar and equatorial orbits. The Big Island also gives the military lots of room to expand. A second major reason the military would want to use the Big Island, is that the people here are relatively unsophisticated compared to mainlanders. There are far fewer people here than in California or Florida. It would be easier to operate here in secrecy, and if there were an accident, it would be much easier to cover up. Finally, if worse came to worst, there are fewer people here to die. MILITARY TAKE-OVER OF SOUTH POINT The following article appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle on Jan. 19, 1990, "The Air Force says it wants to expand Vandenberg Air Force Base by more than half to ensure that future missile launches will not endanger the public. "An Air Force notice informed landowners this week that the base plans to expand by 54,000 acres from its current 98,000 acres to restrict residential development bordering the launch facility. The notice said owners may sell their land to the Air Force, enter into an agreement not to develop their land or risk seizure of their holdings by the federal government." This stunning announcement by the Air Force lowered property values in the area by billions of dollars. According to the April 1990, "BULLETIN OF THE ATOMIC SCIENTISTS", the Defense Department is now developing a detailed plan that would facilitate the military takeover of civil and commercial space assets in a time of crisis. According to "SPACE NEWS", Jan. 22, 1990, U.S. Space Command, which is developing the plan, would include provisions for "situations well short of a national emergency." The South Point area was considered unacceptable by the State for eastward equatorial launches because of overflying populated areas. If the State forces the residents out of the adjacent Kahilipali Point area for its own launch site, the military then would be free to move into South Point to build their new ALS pads. SOCIAL ISSUES Most of us live here because we enjoy the peaceful style of life, the clean environment and the Hawaiian culture. As citizens of Hawaii, we have been promised certain rights as set forth in the Preamble to the Hawaiian State Constitution: "We reserve the right to control our destiny, to nurture the integrity of our people and culture, and to preserve the quality of life that we desire." The State is preempting individual rights and the rights of County Government. In what way does Star Wars and Rocket Launching nurture the integrity of our people and culture? Certainly, to kick people out of their homes is not to nurture them. To forcefully expose people to plutonium, hydrazine, nitrogen tetroxide, hydrogen chloride and aluminum oxide is certainly not a form of nurturing. It is clear that a Star Wars Rocket Launch Facility is simply not compatible with our vision of life on the Big Island! The State's Environmental Impact Statement should include a survey of residents to determine what issues are important to them. It is vital that the State realize and appreciate what makes the Big Island unique and act to preserve its environment. The Big Island cannot be all things to all people. Those of us that moved here from the mainland, came here to get away from the very things that industrialization represents. If the State trashes the Big Island environment, there is simply no place else to go! ENDANGERED SPECIES SEA TURTLES - Sandy beaches in the vicinity of the site are nesting areas of the threatened Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) and the endangered Hawaiian Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata). Turtles are herbivores who graze on marine algae. Any environmental impacts involving degradation of the near-shore habitat and any changes in temperature and salinity could effect the algae for these turtles. Other impacts include nighttime lighting, increased beach activity, sand compaction or extraction and increased human activity. MAMMALS - Endangered mammals include the Hawaiian Bat or 'ope'ape'a (Lasiurus cinereus semotus) and the humpback whale (Megaptera novaengliae). Humpback whales breed in the South Point area of the Big Island from November to June. They congregate in waters of 100 fathoms or less. They are attracted to the banks and secluded bays along the Hawaii coast. There is a need to be particularly sensitive to noise impacts because the whales appear to be frightened by noise and vibration. Contamination of habitat by launch pad deluge (wash-down and cooling) water has the potential to adversely effect the humpback whales and several other species of marine mammals that inhabit the area. ENDANGERED BIRDS - The Hoonoua wetland is located near Kamilo Point which is within the population control zone of the Kahilipali Point site. Present in this wetland are federally-listed endangered birds, including Dark-Rumped Petrel (Banko, 1980), Band-Rumped Storm Petrel (Harrison et all, in press; Banko and David, in press), Hawaiian Coot or 'Alae Ke'oke'o (Fulica americana alai), Black-necked (Hawaiian) Stilt or A'eo (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) and other migratory indigenous birds. Noise could effect endangered forest birds in the Ka'u Forest Reserve or Hawaii Volcanoes National Park by adding stress that could increase the mortality rate or interfere with breeding. Bright lights may attract fledging Newell's shearwaters and cause them to become disoriented and grounded. VEGETATION - Tall Grasses characterize most of the area, with very few trees present. Small crevices, where water is often available, support more diverse vegetation. Federally-listed endangered plants that may be present at the Kahilipali site include Sesbania Tomentosa and Portulaca hawaiinensis. Studies need to be done to see what effects rocket launch activities in general will have on flora, fauna and coral reefs. The Environmental Impact Statement must also study the effects of exhaust products and spilled fuels on individual flora (including plankton), fauna (including tropical fish), and coral reefs. GOVERNMENT LIES NOW COMMON Excerpts from a column by Richard Reeves that appeared in West Hawaii Today on Dec. 24, 1989: "In the good old days, an honest politician was one who lied only when he had to. But we are past that now. Lies are becoming the accepted language of government at the highest levels, the theory being that sooner or later the people of the country will become so confused and disillusioned that they will just mind their own business - and leave governing to well-placed liars. "...the administration of President Bush has been doing that, routinely deceiving the rest of us about such things as our relations with China and the military potential of the Soviet Union. "How can citizens of a democracy protect themselves against such misinformation, or 'disinformation' as we like to call it when the Soviets lie? The truth is that we can't. "If our leaders and representatives do not trust us with the truth, and we come not to trust them, then our 200-year-old experiment in democracy will fail - or become some sort of paternal despotism manipulated by a lying father." Given President Bush as an example, should we be surprised when public statements made by Governor Waihee and former admiral Hayward just don't seem to add up? Are we paranoid when too many coincidences occur? Indeed, when dealing with issues of "National Security" (as is this facility), public lying and deception are part of the job description. What higher duty can one have than to safeguard the security of the United States of America? THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER The ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT FOR THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER was completed on March 14, 1980. This entire 338 page document has a mere 2 1/2 pages on "Potential Uunavoidable Adverse Effects". If one reads these pages, one finds no mention of carcinogenic, teratogenic, or mutagenic fuels. Conspicuously absent is any reference to fish kills or launching plutonium payloads. There is one interesting feature of this document that gives insight into the entire environmental impact statement process where military projects are involved. An addendum, added some time after the original document was completed, states: "Subsequent to the completion and printing of this Final Environmental Impact Statement, NASA and the Department of Defense identified additional STS requirements that will mandate closure of State Road (SR) 402 (Beach Road) for longer periods that were initially predicted (Sections 4.4, 5.7.2.3, and 7.7). There will be minor changes through 1984, but starting in mid-1986, it will be necessary to close SR 402 100 percent of the time. This may restrict public access to Playalinda Beach and certain surrounding wildlife viewing areas. "Due to this change, NASA responses to the Brevard County Board of Commissioners (P. 11-30, comment f) and the East Central Florida Regional Planning Council (p. 11-35, comment d), which referred to vehicle access to Playalinda beach, are no longer appropriate. Alternatives such as the use of alternate routes are still being evaluated, but at the present time closure of SR 402 whenever flight hardware is emplaced on either Launch Complex 39A or Launch Complex 39B (as was done during the Apollo era) will best serve the national interest by affording the Space Transportation System a more secure environment." The State and Federal Government "require" the Rocket Launch Facility on the Big Island. In pursuit of their desired outcome, the Environmental Impact Statement prepared by agencies of the State and Federal Government will systematically omit facts concerning public health and welfare. Agencies of the State and Federal government will conspire to deceive the public under the banner of NATIONAL SECURITY. For example, if the Environmental Impact Statement fails to consider plutonium hazards or additional cancers attributable to atmospheric releases of hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, then that is evidence of conspiracy. What about the classified studies? Are they classified for the purpose of withholding information from the Russians? Or American citizens? How can we fairly evaluate the hazards if the derogatory studies are a military secret? The State's Environmental Impact Statement must attempt to anticipate future commercial and military needs. Instead of suppressing information on plutonium and cancers that may be politically unpopular, the State must use its best efforts to make a fair and complete disclosure. CONCLUSION In their haste to exploit the Big Island, our State officials have neglected to take these new studies on aluminum seriously, instead minimizing the hazards for political and financial gain. We are concerned that the State is not worried about acid rain. We are concerned about secret military payloads such as beryllium-powered rockets. We are concerned that the State is blazing a trail for a take-over by the military. We are concerned there will be deliberate omissions in State's Environmental Impact Statement. We are concerned the State is presently deceiving us about the true purpose of this rocket launch facility! "UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO" - the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness. To construct a Rocket Launch Facility on the Big Island is not righteous (not morally right) and as such, is a harbinger of the death of our land. Jay Hanson 78-6622 Alii Drive Kailua-Kona, HI 96740 ------------------------------ End of SPACE Digest V11 #504 *******************