Environmental Assessment of the Joint Unmanned Systems Testing in Collaborative Environment (Project JUSTICE)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Science (DHS) Technology (S&T) Directorate hereby gives Notice of the Availability for the draft Environmental Assessment to evaluate the potential environmental impacts associated with the continued testing of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) under the Joint Unmanned Systems Testing in Collaborative Environment (Project JUSTICE). Testing is conducted at Mississippi State University Raspet Flight Center in Oktibbeha County, MS; Camp Shelby, Perry County, MS; and Singing River Island, Pascagoula County, MS. Operational evaluation of UAS technologies for DHS S&T is the primary objective of Project JUSTICE. As new UAS technologies and capabilities are developed, operational evaluation of these technologies by an independent third party is necessary to determine how well such new technologies meet the operational requirements of DHS, its components, and the operational requirements of DHS and its components.

The draft EA has been prepared in accordance with DHS Directive 023-01, Rev. 01 (2014), Implementation of the National Environmental Policy Act instruction/regulations implementing procedural provisions of NEPA as outlined in 40 CFR Parts 1500-1508. The EA is available to view/download electronically. Comments or questions on the EA may be directed in writing to: Mr. Patrick Parks, Program Manager, Mission & Capability Support, DHS, Science & Technology, via email at Project-JUSTICE-Test@hq.dhs.gov.

Comments must be received by April 5, 2021.