The Final Environmental Impact Statement for the mission was released to the public on Aug. 5, 2005. NASA issued its National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) record of decision for New Horizons on Sept. 7, 2005 - deciding to complete preparations for launch in January-February 2006, and to operate the mission. The White House Office of Science Technology Policy gave approval for the launch to proceed.

An appendix in the Final EIS includes public comments on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, gathered during a 45-day period from February-April 2005, and during two community meetings in Cocoa, Florida, in March 2005.

For more information, contact NASA at (202) 358-1588 or osspluto@hq.nasa.gov