NEW Notice of Availability and Public Hearings. National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Notice of Availability of the Draft Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM (DOE/EIS-0380). NNSA announces the availability of the Draft Site-Wide Environmental Impact Statement for Continued Operation of Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico (LANL Draft SWEIS) (DOE/ EIS-0380), and the dates and locations for the public hearings to receive comments on the Draft LANL SWEIS. The Draft LANL SWEIS analyzes the potential environmental impacts associated with continuing ongoing LANL operations and foreseeable new and modified operations and facilities. The Draft LANL SWEIS analyzes the No Action Alternative and two action alternatives: a Reduced Operations Alternative and an Expanded Operations Alternative. The No Action Alternative would continue currently assigned operations at LANL in support of DOE and NNSA missions. The Reduced Operation Alternative also includes most operations discussed under the No Action Alternative with reductions to certain LANL activities below the No Action Alternative level. The Expanded Operations Alternative includes operations discussed under the No Action Alternative plus new and expanded levels of operations in support of reasonably foreseeable future mission requirements.

OPPORTUNITY FOR PUBLIC COMMENT: The NNSA invites members of Congress, American Indian Tribal Governments, state and local governments, other Federal agencies, and the general public to provide comments on the Draft LANL SWEIS. The comment period extends from the publication of the Notice of Availability (July 7, 2006) through September 5, 2006. Written comments must be received or postmarked by September 5, 2006. Comments postmarked after this date will be considered to the extent practicable. The NNSA will consider the comments in the preparation of the Final LANL SWEIS. Public hearings to present information and receive comments on the Draft LANL SWEIS will be held at three locations. This information will also be published in local New Mexico newspapers in advance of the hearings. Any necessary changes will be announced in the local media and on the web site noted in the "Addresses" section of the notice. Oral and written comments will be accepted at the public hearings. The locations, dates, and times for these public hearings are as follows:

The following Web site may be accessed for additional information: http://www.doeal.gov/laso/nepa/sweis.htm. For information or to record comments call: 1-877-491-4957. Copies of the Draft LANL SWEIS are available for review at: The Los Alamos Outreach Center, 1619 Central Avenue, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544; the Office of the Northern New Mexico Citizens Advisory Board, 1660 Old Pecos Trail, Suite B, Santa Fe, New Mexico; and the Zimmerman Library, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131. The Draft SWEIS will also be available on the Department of Energy Los Alamos Site Office's LASO NEPA website at: http://www.doeal.gov/laso/nepa/sweis.htm. Additionally, a copy of the Draft LANL SWEIS or its Summary may be obtained upon request by writing to: U.S. Department of Energy, National Nuclear Security Administration, Los Alamos Site Office, Attn: Ms. Elizabeth Withers, Office of Environmental Stewardship, 528 35th Street, Los Alamos, New Mexico, 87544; or by facsimile: (505) 667-5948); or by e-mail at: LANL_SWEIS@doeal.gov. Comments concerning the Draft LANL SWEIS can be submitted to the NNSA Los Alamos Site Office by the means described above or by leaving a message on the LASO EIS Hotline at (toll free): 1-877-491-4957. The Hotline will have instructions on how to record comments. Please mark all envelopes, faxes and e-mail: "Draft LANL SWEIS Comments." [For more information, see the EPA Notice of Availability in the Federal Register, 71 FR 38638, July 7, 2006].