DOE News:

The U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science and Triad National Security, LLC (Triad), the operating contractor for Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), are planning to deploy atmospheric monitoring equipment to support the Coast-Urban-Rural Atmospheric Gradient Experiment (CoURAGE).

DOE and Triad conduct atmospheric and environmental research and monitoring activities by deploying mobile facilities and equipment (including weather balloons) for one-to two-year campaigns at locations throughout the U.S. This project will characterize the extent, radiative properties, aerosol interactions, and precipitation characteristics of stratocumulus clouds year-round at three locations stationed in Maryland: the Main Site at Clifton Park School (near downtown Baltimore); the Rural Site, located northwest of the Main Site; and the Bay Site, located southeast of the Main Site and situated on Kent Island.

Weather balloons will be used to provide a valuable means of in-situ measurements of upper air observations of the Earth’s atmosphere. Balloons collect scientific data on the atmosphere in an efficient and cost-effective manner. To facilitate gathering data, balloon launches from the Main Site will be conducted twice daily for the duration of the 12-month project. Balloon launches from the Rural Site will be conducted twice daily for four months of the 12-month project. Balloons will not be launched from the Bay Site. Activities would be designed in conformance with applicable regulatory requirements and use of best management practices. Following the data collection period each site would be restored to pre-project conditions.

A National Environmental Policy Act compliance officer reviewed the proposal and determined it fits the criteria for categorical exclusion. The document is available here.