Deployment Area Selection And Land Withdrawal Acquisition Chapter 1 M X Mps M X Multiple Protective Shelter Program Overview

On October 2, 1981, the President announced his decision to cancel the M-X Multiple Protective Shelter (MPS) basing system. The Air Force was, at that time, working to prepare a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) for the MPS site selection process. This preliminary FEIS captures the environmental data and analysis in the document that was nearing completion when the President decided to deploy the M-X system in a different manner. Areas considered were in Nevada, Utah, Texas, and New Mexico. Chapters 1 and 2 summarize the project and the potential environmental consequences of deploying the M-X missile in a MPS basing mode. Chapter 3 describes the existing environment of the suitable areas for operating bases and other system elements in the deployment areas, emphasizing those portions of the environment that could be affected by the project. Chapter 4 describes the direct and indirect effects of the Proposed Action and alternatives on the environment, including irreversible or irretrievable commitments of resources, the relationship between short-term uses and long-term productivity, and possible conflicts between the project and local land-use plans.