Comments are due on Thirty Meter Telescope environmental review
Sep. 18—Monday is the last day to submit comments on the proposed scope of the National Science Foundation's environmental review of the $2.65 million Thirty Meter Telescope project.
Monday is the last day to submit comments on the proposed scope of the National Science Foundation's environmental review of the $2.65 million Thirty Meter Telescope project.
A proposed environmental impact statement is expected to help the agency determine whether the federal government will provide $850 million or more to support the TMT project as recommended by the astronomy community.
Alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS include :—Investment and operation of the TMT on Mauna Kea.—Investment and operation of the TMT on Mauna Kea with a plan to practice "responsible astronomy " in partnership with the new Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, the Maunakea Observatories and "the affected Hawaiian community."—Investment and operation of the TMT in the Canary Islands.—No action.
The National Science Foundation held a series of scoping meetings on Hawaii island last month, with testimony dominated by the same folks who have opposed the TMT over the last decade.
Imua TMT, a group led by Native Hawaiians who support the project, on Friday urged the general public to submit comments.
The foundation also published a draft community engagement plan that outlines how it plans to engage the public and proceed through the environmental review in a transparent way.
A draft of the EIS is expected to be ready early next summer, officials said, and the whole review process is expected to last at least a couple of years.
The National Science Foundation extended the comment deadline by two days, until Monday.
For more information and to submit comments, go to foundation's TMT webpage at.
