Draft environmental impact statement for the Outrigger Telescopes Project : Mauna Kea Science Reserve, Island of Hawaii

Author:

NASA Office of Space Science,

Title:

Draft environmental impact statement for the Outrigger Telescopes Project : Mauna Kea Science Reserve, Island of Hawaii

Periodical:

Outrigger

Year:

2004

Volume:

2 v.

Subject:

Mauna Kea Science Reserve Astronomical observatories environmental aspects Mauna Kea Environmental impact analysis Outrigger Telescope Project W.M. Keck Observatory

Summary:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Proposed Action is to fund the on-site construction, installation, and operation of four, and possibly up to six, Outrigger Telescopes near the twin Keck Telescopes at the W. M. Keck Observatory site within the Mauna Kea Science Reserve on the island of Hawaii. It is anticipated that the on-site construction and installation of four of the six Outrigger Telescopes, along with on-site construction of the underground structures for Outrigger Telescopes 5 and 6, would begin in 2005, with start of operations anticipated in 2007. If funding becomes available, NASA intends to complete the on-site construction, installation, and operation of Outrigger Telescopes 5 and 6, with above-ground construction and installation likely to begin no earlier than 2007. NASA's Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Outrigger Telescopes Project addresses the environmental impacts associated with the Proposed Action and reasonable alternatives. The environmental impacts of principal concern for the Proposed Action are those that would affect cultural resources, the visual integrity of the summit region of Mauna Kea, and impacts to the Wekiu bug, a candidate for listing under the Endangered Species Act. The environmental impacts of the Outrigger Telescopes Project on other environmental resource areas are also addressed as are the cumulative impacts of the Outrigger Telescopes when considered with past, present, and reasonably foreseeable future projects on or near Mauna Kea. NASA has also identified a reasonable alternative to the Mauna Kea site in Spain's Canary Islands. NASA's initial determination is that all of the science objectives set out for the Outrigger Telescopes Project can also be attained at this alternative site. This EIS addresses the environmental impacts associated with implementing the Outrigger Telescopes at the Canary Island site. The No-Action Alternative is also addressed. Should NASA decide not to fund the Outrigger Telescopes Project at either the proposed Mauna Kea site or at the alternative site in the Canary Islands, it may choose to implement a Reduced Science Option. The Reduced Science Option would consist of locating four Outrigger Telescope at an existing observatory that does not have the large diameter telescope needed to achieve all of the science objectives possible with either the Proposed Action or the Canary Islands alternative site. Two Reduced Science Option sites have been identified. The environmental impacts associated with implementing the Reduced Science Option at each of the two sites in California are also addressed in this EIS.

Collection:

EIS