Series 5647
MX Missile Policy Board Draft environmental impact studies

Dates: 1980-1981.

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These records are housed in the Utah State Archives' permanent storage room.

Historical Note

An agency history is available.

Scope and Content

All studies and reports included in this series were produced in response to the Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal/Acquisition Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), which was completed by the U.S. Air Force in 1980. This report was made after the Great Basin had been selected as the primary basing region for the MX Missile Defense System. The creation of the DEIS was one step in a tiered process of evaluation and study as defined by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The reports from this series focus on a variety of issues related to the DEIS, and offer numerous comments on the study (with most coming from the office of the MX Missile Policy Board). Reports in this series that were not expressly produced by the MX Missile Policy Board were presumably kept in the office as reference for crafting the agencies comments on the DEIS.

The first set of reports in this series (folders 1-9) contain the published copies of the U.S. Air Force MX Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal/Acquisition Draft Environmental Impact Statement. The DEIS was produced for the Air Force by chief subcontractor Henningson, Durham, and Richardson (HDR). Released in 1980, the statement compares the alternatives for site selection and describes in greater detail than preliminary studies, and possible environmental impacts of missile deployment in Utah/Nevada and Texas/New Mexico. Considered also in the selection process were the mitigation measures proposed to reduce deployment impacts on threatened resources in these areas.

The State of Utah Technical Review Comments for U.S. Air Force Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Area Selection/Land Withdrawal (folder 10) contains official comments from the State of Utah on the DEIS organized by Page - Paragraph - Sentence - Comment.

The Comments on the MX Draft Environmental Impact Statement and ETR's (folder 11) consist of comments from various teams reporting to the MX Missile Impact Policy Board. These teams include: Local Wildlife Review Team; Local Land Use and Rights Review Team; Local Health and Social Services Review Team; Local Public Safety Review Team; Local Geology and Minerals Review Team; Local Energy and Non-Renewable Resources Review Team; Local Agriculture Review Team; Local Environmental Health Review Team; Local Water Resources Review Team; Local Manpower and Employment Review Team; Local Rapid, Large-Scale Growth Review Team; Local Recreation Review Team; and the Local Archaeology and History Review Team.

The Legal Analysis and Issues report (folder 12) assesses the DEIS in light of the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA), the Endangered Species Act (ESA), the Wilderness Act of 1964, and other key pieces of federal land use legislation.

The MX Missile Policy Board - Phase I Baseline Study (folder 13) was prepared by the Five County Association of Governments for the MX Missile Policy Board with the intent of generating "response of the elected officials of the impacted communities to the problem of growth." Utilizing federal funds made available for research and study through the Four Corners Regional Commission (FCRC) the report was compiled by local sources in the five-county region that would have been most impacted by MX basing. The report provides a baseline study of existing infrastructures and services in the region and spells out the potentially massive need for federal support in the event of preparing for MX basing in the state. This was the first of three separate studies conducted by the MX Missile Policy Board. Phase I served as an assessment of existing communities , Phase II acted as a comprehensive study of a particular impacted region, and Phase III served as a comprehensive planning document for MX impact.

The report from the Utah Consortium for Energy Research and Education to Governor Scott M. Matheson (folder 14) was conducted by a coalition of faculty from Utah's higher education institutions, and includes members from Brigham Young University, the University of Utah, Utah State University, and Weber State. The introduction to that report states that "the main thrust of the review has been to evaluate how adequately the DEIS has assessed and projected the social , economic, and environmental impacts of the Multiple Protective Shelter (MPS) basing mode."

The Phase II-B Base Operation Impact Study - Long Ridge Site (folders 15-18) are the second comprehensive study following on the MX Missile Policy Board - Phase I Baseline Study (folder 13). According to the introduction of the report, "two f the Utah counties that have been targeted for significant population and economic impacts, Millard and Juab, are the subject of this report." The report contains a comprehensive study focusing on the issues of planning for growth/quality of life, land use ordinances and codes, transportation systems, utilities, health services, social and mental health services, and police protection in the region. It also contains community assessments and conclusion for towns in Juab (Eureka, Levan, Mona, and Nephi) as well as towns in Millard (Delta, Fillmore, Hinckley, Holden, Kanosh, Leamington, Lynndyl, Meadow, Oak City, and Scipio).

The Initial Assessment: Program Management and Reporting system for the State of Utah's MX Special Impact Assistance Program (folder 19) was conducted by subcontractor Peat, Marwick, Mitchell, and Company. its purpose was "to define the general parameters for a system to manage the Special Impact Assistance Program for the Utah State and local agencies, as well as to develop a work plan for the initial phase for developing such a system. The report documents the program research, interview findings, the system concept, and a requirements definition workplan for the next phase of the system design."

The Phase II - Base Operations Impact Study Proposed Utah MX Deployment Area (folders 20-21) were produced as part of a six part planning process consisting of 1). Phase I: Baseline Study; 2). Phase II: Base Operation Impact Study; 3). Phase III: Construction Impact Study; 4). Phase IV: Fiscal Impact Study; 5). Phase V: Regional Master Capital Facilities Plan; and 6). Phase VI: Actual Impact Mitigation. This specific portion of the larger comprehensive study was made "to assist communities and resident understand the types and magnitude of adverse impacts which might result from unplanned growth." The study is divided into two separate volumes. Volume I (folder 20), provides "a careful identification and analysis of the issues and problems associated with growth." Volume II (folder 21) contains complete reports of individual study teams assigned to assess the implications of growth for particular community services or functional areas.

The final report in this series is an Assessment of the Government Revenue Consequences of MX Deployment in Southwestern Utah (folder 22). The study was made by subcontractor, John Short and Associates, Inc who was contracted by MX Missile Policy Board in June 1981 to assess the governmental revenue consequences of MX deployment in Utah. Topics focused on in the study include revenue, debt constraints, debt inventories, revenue/debt forecasting, the implications of immunity, financing priorities and recommendations, and detailed jurisdiction revenue data for school districts and local government.

Arrangement

Chronological by report date.

Related Records

Administrative records from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4246, contains a variety of records from the coordinating office in Salt Lake City, which detail planning and potential impacts caused by MX.

Governor's MX missile correspondence from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4247, contains correspondence between various agencies of state government in coordinating efforts and planning for MX impact on the state.

MX missile deployment and national defense issues subject files from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4248, consists of various letters, memos, reports, notes, personal statements, and newsletters written by political leaders at all levels of government concerning the MX issue.

MX missile deployment impact planning and subject files from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4250, includes all types of studies, reports, correspondence, newspaper clippings, magazines, and maps collected by the staff of the office to help them better evaluate potential impacts of the deployment of the MX missile system in Utah and Nevada.

MX Draft Environmental Impact Statement evaluation records from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4251, contains the Utah response to the MX Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

Federal aid programs subject files from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4252, documents various federal aid programs that were drawn upon by local Utah agencies and groups to plan for the social and environmental impacts of MX on the state.

Draft environmental impact statements and technical reports from the MX Coordination Office, Series 4254, contains the MX Draft Environmental Impact Statement and technical reports from the U.S. Air Force.

Administrative records from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5643, contains a variety of records from the parent agency that detail planning and potential impacts caused by MX.

MX missile survey and siting reports from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5644, contains reports and maps that detail gravity surveys, mineral resource surveys, alternative energy sources surveys, and geotechnical siting investigations that were made to determine potential areas to place the MX missile system in Nevada and Utah.

Living facilities planning reports from the MX Missile Policy Board, Series 5646, documents efforts made by the MX Missile Impact Policy Board to plan for the living arrangements that would have been needed for the assorted personnel that would have been needed to build the MX system.

MX technical issues briefing transcript from the Governor's Office. Office of Planning and Budget, Series 11927, includes the transcript of a meeting between U.S. Air Force personnel and the Utah Science Advisory Board in which many of the central issues and concerns of the MX plan are discussed.

MX environmental technical reports from the MX Coordination Office, Series 17499, contains review comments and impact studies for proposed missile deployment areas.

Custody History

After the MX Missile Impact Policy Board office was closed in 1981 these records were kept by staff members from the Department of Community and Economic Development (as several of that agencies employees had served on committees and groups directly connected with MX planning). The records were transferred from DCED to the Utah State Archives for permanent retention in 1996.

Access Restrictions

This series is classified as Public.

Preferred Citation

Cite the Utah State Archives and Records Service, the creating agency name, the series title, and the series number.

Processing Note

This series was processed by Jim Kichas in March 2012.

Indexing Terms

Container List

BOX FOLDER DATE DESCRIPTION
1 1 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - I: Program Overview
1 2 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - II: Comparative Analysis of Alternatives
1 3 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - III (Part 1): Affected Environment
1 4 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - III (Part II): Affected Environment
1 5 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - IV (Part I): Environmental Consequences to the Study Regions and Operating Base Vicinities
1 6 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - IV (Part II): Environmental Consequences to the Study Regions and Operating Base Vicinities
1 7 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - IV (Part III): Environmental Consequences to the Study Regions and Operating Base Vicinities
1 8 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - V: Appendices
1 9 1980 Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal Acquisition - Summary
1 10 1980-1981 State of Utah Technical Review Comments for U.S. Air Force Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Area Selection/Land Withdrawal
1 11 1980-1981 MX Missile Policy Board - Comments on the MX Draft Environmental Impact Statement and ETR's
1 12 1980-1981 Comments on the MX Draft Environmental Impact Statement - Legal Analysis and Issues
1 13 1981 Jan MX Missile Policy Board - Phase I - Baseline Study - Proposed Utah MX Deployment Area
1 14 1981 Apr 10 Review of U.S. Air Force Draft Environmental Impact Statement on Deployment Area Selection and Land Withdrawal/Acquisition for the MX Missile System - A Report to Governor Scott M. Matheson - Utah Consortium for Energy Research and Education
1 15 1981 Jul Proposed MX Deployment Area Detailed Assessment Report - Phase II-B Base Operation Impact Study - Long Ridge Site: Executive Summary
1 16 1981 Jul Proposed MX Deployment Area Detailed Assessment Report - Phase II-B Base Operation Impact Study - Long Ridge Site: Detailed Assessment Reports
1 17 1981 Jul Proposed MX Deployment Area Detailed Assessment Report - Phase II-B Base Operation Impact Study - Long Ridge Site: Detailed Assessment Reports - County and Community Services - Juab County
1 18 1981 Jul Proposed MX Deployment Area Detailed Assessment Report - Phase II-B Base Operation Impact Study - Long Ridge Site: Detailed Assessment Reports - County and Community Services - Millard County
1 19 1981 Aug Peat, Marwich, Mitchell, and Co. - An Initial Assessment: Program Management and Reporting system for the State of Utah's MX Special Impact Assistance Program
1 20 1981 Sep Phase II - Base Operations Impact Study Proposed Utah MX Deployment Area - Volume I - Final Executive Summary
1 21 1981 Sep Phase II - Base Operations Impact Study Proposed Utah MX Deployment Area - Volume II - Final Executive Summary
1 22 1981 Sep 30 John Short and Associates, Inc. - Assessment of the Government Revenue Consequences of MX Deployment in Southwestern Utah - Final Report

Page Last Updated October 18, 2012.