[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 120 (Thursday, June 23, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 36413-36414]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-11970]


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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION


Preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the 
Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) at the Haleakala High 
Altitude Observatory (HO) Site, Mt. Haleakala, Island of Maui, HI

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.

ACTION: Notice of intent.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to prepare an 
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the proposed Advanced 
Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) Project. The NSF, through an award to 
the National Solar Observatory (NSO), plans to fund construction of the 
proposed ATST at the University of Hawai'i Institute for Astronomy 
(IfA), Haleakala High Altitude Observatory (HO) site, on the Island of 
Maui, Hawai'i. An extensive campaign of worldwide site testing has 
identified Haleakala Observatory as the optimal location for this next-
generation solar observing facility. The telescope enclosure and a 
support facility would be placed at one of two identified sites within 
the existing observatory boundaries. The EIS will address both of these 
sites and the potential environmental impacts of on-site construction, 
installation, and operation of this proposed new solar telescope. With 
its unprecedented 4.2-m (165-inch) aperture, advanced optical 
technology, and state-of-the-art instrumentation, the proposed ATST 
will be an indispensable tool for exploring and understanding physical 
processes on the sun that ultimately affect Earth. The EIS will 
address, among other things, the potential direct, indirect, and 
cumulative environmental impacts associated with the proposed Advanced 
Technology Solar Telescope project. The EIS development process for the 
proposed action will be conducted in accordance with the

[[Page 36414]]

National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
    Written comments may be forwarded to:

ADDRESSES: Dr. Craig B. Foltz, Program Officer, National Science 
Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 
1045, Washington, DC 22230. Telephone: (703) 292-4909. Fax: (703) 292-
9034. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed alternatives to be considered may 
include, but not be limited to, the following:
    (1) Alternative 1: (Proposed Action): Undeveloped site East of Mees 
Observatory.
    (2) Alternative 2: Former radio telescope site known as Reber 
Circle.
    (3) Alternative 3: No-Action. The National Science Foundation will 
not construct the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope on Maui.
    Publication of the NOI does not foreclose consideration of any 
courses of actions or possible decisions addressed by the National 
Science Foundation in its Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). 
No final decisions will be made regarding construction of the ATST 
prior to completion and signature of the Record of Decision for the 
proposed action.
    Scoping Process: Federal, State and local agencies and the public 
are invited to participate in the scoping process for the completion of 
this EIS. The scoping process will help identify potential impacts and 
key issues to be analyzed in the EIS.
    Scoping meetings will be held at the following locations on the 
island of Maui, Hawai'i, with notification of the times and locations 
published in the local newspapers.
    (1) J. Walter Cameron Center--Auditorium, 95 Mahalani Street, 
Wailuku, HI 96793; Tuesday, July 12, 2005, 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
    (2) Kula Community Center, Lower Kula Road, Kula, HI 96790; 
Wednesday, July 13, 2005, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    (3) Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center--Room 2, 91 Pukalani 
Street, Pukalani, HI 96788; Thursday, July 14, 2005 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    Written comments identifying potential impacts to be analyzed in 
the EIS will be accepted within 30 days after the scoping meetings or 
within 30 days after publication in the Bulletin of the State of Hawaii 
Office of Environmental Quality Control, whichever is later. Written 
comments may be submitted to Dr. Craig B. Foltz at the address above.

    Dated: June 6, 2005.
Craig B. Foltz,
Program Officer.
[FR Doc. 05-11970 Filed 6-22-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M