Notice2022-15349
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Initiate Section 106 Consultation for a Potential National Science Foundation Investment in the Construction and Operation of an Extremely Large Telescope Located in the Northern Hemisphere and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Comment Period
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Published
July 19, 2022
Issuing agencies
National Science Foundation
Abstract
In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, the National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate environmental effects of an NSF investment in the construction and operation of an Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) located in the Northern Hemisphere, which is a potential future funding action. (Refer to supplementary information below for more detail about NSF's decision- making process.)
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 87 Issue 137 (Tuesday, July 19, 2022)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 137 (Tuesday, July 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43062-43064]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2022-15349]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and
Initiate Section 106 Consultation for a Potential National Science
Foundation Investment in the Construction and Operation of an Extremely
Large Telescope Located in the Northern Hemisphere and Notice of Public
Scoping Meetings and Comment Period
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Notice.
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SUMMARY: In compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of
1969, as amended, the National Science Foundation (NSF) intends to
prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate
environmental effects of an NSF investment in the construction and
operation of an Extremely Large Telescope (ELT) located in the Northern
Hemisphere, which is a potential future funding action. (Refer to
supplementary information below for more detail about NSF's decision-
making process.)
DATES: This notice initiates the public scoping process for the EIS and
the Section 106 consultation process pursuant to Code of Federal
Regulations title 36, section 800.2(d). Comments on issues may be
submitted during the scoping meetings scheduled for August 9 through
12, 2022, on the Island of Hawaii (refer to details below) or in
writing electronically or via postal mail until September 17, 2022. To
be eligible for inclusion in the Draft EIS, all comments must be
received prior to the close of the scoping period. Comments on NSF's
Draft CEP may also be submitted prior to, and during, the scoping
meetings or in writing through September 17, 2022. The public will be
notified of the dates, times, and locations of the Section 106 meetings
at a later date.
ADDRESSES: You may submit comments related to this Proposed Action by
either of the following methods. Note that comments will be accepted
via the website starting at approximately 9 a.m. EDT on July 19, 2022:
<bullet> Website: <a href="https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt">https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt</a>.
<bullet> Mail to: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: ELT, National
Science Foundation, Room W9152, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA
22314.
Scoping Meetings
NSF will host four in-person public scoping meetings from 6:00 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations and dates:
<bullet> Hilo: August 9, 2022, at the Grand Naniloa Doubletree by
Hilton Hotel, Crown Room, 93 Banyan Dr., Hilo, HI 96720.
<bullet> Naalehu: August 10, 2022, at the Naalehu Community Center,
95-5635 Hawaii Belt Rd., Naalehu, HI 96772.
<bullet> Kona: August 11, 2022, at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa,
Kaleiopapa Convention Center, 78-128 Ehukai St., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
<bullet> Kamuela (Waimea): August 12, 2022, at the Kahilu Town
Hall, 67-1182 Lindsey Rd., Kamuela, HI 96743.
Comments will be accepted during the meetings in writing and
verbally. Please contact NSF at least one week in advance of each
meeting if you would like to request special accommodations (e.g., sign
language interpretation). Comments can also be provided in the Hawaiian
language, which will subsequently be translated to the English language
to facilitate NSF's consideration of those comments.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information regarding the
EIS process or the Section 106 consultation process, please contact:
Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, National Science Foundation, Division of
Astronomical Sciences, Room W9152, 2415 Eisenhower Ave., Alexandria, VA
22314; telephone: (703) 292-4907; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#5d18140e736c6d6b730910091d332e3b733a322b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="682d213b4659585e463c253c28061b0e460f071e">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By this notice, NSF is announcing the
beginning of the scoping process to solicit public comments and
identify issues to be analyzed in the EIS. NSF welcomes public comments
on potential alternatives, information, and analyses relevant to the
environmental review. NSF also intends to initiate consultation under
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) (Section
106) to evaluate anticipated effects on historic properties resulting
from a potential NSF investment in the construction and operation of a
Northern Hemisphere ELT located on the summit of Maunakea, Hawaii
Island, Hawaii, which is the only location in the United States for
which alternatives will be analyzed. NSF enters into this process with
an understanding that the issue of constructing an ELT on Maunakea is a
sensitive one, with both strong proponents and strong opponents of the
proposed project; NSF was informed of the reasons for these varying
positions through numerous informal meetings, spanning a 16-month
period, with individuals and groups
[[Page 43063]]
with a connection to Maunakea. NSF also received numerous written
comments. As a result of those meetings and written comments, NSF heard
that it should be proactive in its engagement with the Native Hawaiian
community during any environmental review by providing additional
opportunities for meaningful and effective public participation. To
that end, NSF also invites the public to comment on NSF's plans to
engage the public in its EIS and Section 106 compliance processes
through review of and comment on NSF's Draft Community Engagement Plan
(Draft CEP), located at <a href="https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt">https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt</a> (starting at
approximately 9 a.m. EDT on July 19, 2022).
The Draft CEP is also available at the following local libraries:
Oahu
<bullet> James & Abigail Campbell Library, University of Hawaii at
West Oahu, 91-1001 Farrington Hwy., Kapolei, HI 96707.
<bullet> Hawaii Kai Public Library, 249 Lunalilo Home Rd.,
Honolulu, HI 96825.
Hawaii
<bullet> Edwin H. Mookini Library, University of Hawaii at Hilo,
200 W Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720-4091.
<bullet> Thelma Parker Memorial Public and School Library, 67-1209
Mamalahoa Hwy., Kamuela, HI 96743.
<bullet> Hilo Public Library, 300 Waianuenue Ave., Hilo, HI 96720.
<bullet> Pahala Public and School Library, 96-3150 Pikake St.,
Pahala, HI 96777.
<bullet> Kailua-Kona Public Library, 75-138 Hualalai Rd., Kailua-
Kona, HI 96740.
Kauai
<bullet> Lihue Public Library, 4344 Hardy St., Lihue, HI 96766.
<bullet> Princeville Public Library, 4343 Emmalani Dr.,
Princeville, HI 96722.
Maui
<bullet> Kihei Public Library, 35 Waimahaihai St., Kihei, HI 96753.
Background
The U.S. astronomy community via the National Academies of
Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recently completed its 2020
Astronomy and Astrophysics Decadal Survey (Astro2020) culminating with
the October 2021 release of the final report titled, Pathways to
Discovery in Astronomy and Astrophysics for the 2020s.<SUP>1</SUP>
Astro2020 is the seventh decadal survey of the field and provides
valuable advice to federal agency sponsors regarding astronomy and
astrophysics research priorities for the upcoming decade (2020-2030).
In its report, the Astro2020 committee concluded that ``U.S. ELT is a
critical priority for investment for ground-based astronomy in the
coming decade.'' Because NSF is the steward of ground-based astronomy
in the United States, the committee recommended that the ``National
Science Foundation (NSF) should achieve a federal investment in at
least one and ideally both of the two extremely large telescope
projects--the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Thirty Meter
Telescope.''
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\1\ <a href="https://www.nap.edu/catalog/26141/pathways-to-discovery-in-astronomy-and-astrophysics-for-the-2020s">https://www.nap.edu/catalog/26141/pathways-to-discovery-in-astronomy-and-astrophysics-for-the-2020s</a>.
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The first step toward implementing Astro2020's highest-priority
recommendation would be for NSF to initiate a US-ELT Program comprising
a Northern Hemisphere ELT, a Southern Hemisphere ELT, or both. The
purpose of a US-ELT Program would be to provide access for the U.S.
scientific community to the cutting-edge capabilities of this new class
of telescopes. The angular resolution and light-gathering power of
these ELTs with large equivalent apertures (e.g., 25-40 meters) would
enable astronomers to search for signatures of life on Earth-like
planets; probe the fundamental physics of gravitational waves, dark
matter, and dark energy; and study in detail the assembly of galaxies
in the early Universe.
The NSF Directorate for Mathematical and Physical Sciences,
Division of Astronomical Sciences, based upon advice from the academic
community, has identified the need to acquire the unique capabilities
of an ELT located in the Northern Hemisphere to be included in a US-ELT
Program. NSF takes recommendations from the astronomy community like
those from Astro2020 seriously; therefore, the Proposed Action under
consideration is an NSF investment in the construction and operation of
an ELT in the Northern Hemisphere. The only proposed Northern
Hemisphere ELT identified in the Astro2020 report is the Thirty Meter
Telescope (TMT), which has a preferred site on the summit of Maunakea,
Hawaii Island, Hawaii, and an alternative site on Roque de los
Muchachos, La Palma, in the Canary Islands.
Purpose of Public Scoping Process
The purpose of the public scoping process is to determine relevant
issues that will influence the scope of the environmental analysis,
including identification of viable alternatives, and to guide the
process for developing the EIS. Federal, state, and local agencies,
along with members of the public who may be interested or affected by
NSF's ultimate decision on this Proposed Action, are invited to
participate in the scoping process and, if eligible, may request to
participate as a cooperating agency.
Preliminary Proposed Alternatives
Alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS will be refined through
public input, with preliminary proposed alternatives that include the
following:
<bullet> No NSF investment in the construction and operation of an
ELT in the Northern Hemisphere (No Action Alternative).
<bullet> Investment in the construction and operation of TMT (as
the ELT in the Northern Hemisphere) located on Maunakea, Hawaii Island,
Hawaii (Action Alternative 1).
<bullet> Investment in the construction and operation of TMT (as
the ELT in the Northern Hemisphere) located on Maunakea, Hawaii Island,
Hawaii, with an NSF-facilitated plan to define and practice responsible
astronomy in Hawaii in partnership with the Mauna Kea Stewardship and
Oversight Authority, the Maunakea Observatories, and the affected
Hawaiian community (Action Alternative 2).
<bullet> Investment in the construction and operation of TMT (as
the ELT in the Northern Hemisphere) located on Roque de los Muchachos,
La Palma, Canary Islands (Action Alternative 3).
Proposed Scope of Environmental Review
The EIS will evaluate the potential environmental (including
cultural) direct, indirect, and cumulative effects resulting from the
implementation of the Proposed Action and Action Alternatives. At
present, NSF has identified the following resource areas for analysis
of potential impacts. Cultural resources will be analyzed for potential
impacts on traditional cultural places; archaeological resources; and
historic buildings and structures. Visual resources will include an
analysis of sensitive viewsheds. The socioeconomics analysis will
consider potential impacts on population and housing; the economy,
employment, and income; education; tourism; and environmental justice.
The land use evaluation will include an analysis of potential impacts
on existing plans, policies, and controls, as well as coastal zone
management. The health and safety evaluation will analyze potential
impacts on natural resources; occupational health and public safety;
and protection of children. Biological resources will be evaluated for
potential impacts on native vegetation; sensitive
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vegetation species; invasive vegetation species; native wildlife;
sensitive wildlife species; invasive wildlife species; and the United
Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Biosphere Reserve near La Palma, Canary Islands (Alternative 3).
Geological resources will be analyzed for potential impacts on geology,
soils, and topography, including slope stability. Water resources will
be evaluated for potential impacts on surface water, groundwater, and
stormwater. The public services and utilities evaluation will include
an analysis of potential impacts on power, communications, potable
water, wastewater, and solid waste. Traffic and transportation will be
analyzed for potential impacts on traffic and roadway conditions.
Additional resources analyzed for potential impacts will include
hazardous materials and waste, climate change, air quality, and noise.
The level of review in the EIS will be proportionate with the
anticipated level of effects on each resource from the Proposed Action
and Action Alternatives. The EIS will analyze measures that would
avoid, minimize, or mitigate potential environmental effects. Based on
a preliminary evaluation of these resources, NSF expects the EIS to
identify adverse effects on cultural/archaeological resources,
biological resources, visual resources, and geological resources.
Adverse effects to additional resources, as well as potential
beneficial effects (e.g., on socioeconomics), will likely be identified
based on public input and the result of any new studies or analyses.
NSF may conduct additional studies to inform the environmental
review process, including a cultural resources study, archaeology
survey, and ethnographic research; updated visual modeling; economic
modeling; an environmental justice assessment (Hawaiian homeland
locations); updated species/habitat surveys; a geology survey; a
surface water/groundwater study; migratory bird study; and a
contamination assessment.
In addition to NEPA, federal permits and other federal
authorizations will be required. These processes, as well as
consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA and Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act, as appropriate, will occur concurrently with
the NEPA process. Other authorizations may be required pursuant to the
Coastal Zone Management Act, the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the Clean
Water Act, the Rivers and Harbors Act, and the Clean Air Act. Because
of the international location of Alternative 3, NSF would apply the
provisions of Executive Order 12114, Environmental Effects Abroad of
Major Federal Actions in analyzing that Alternative.
NSF Environmental Review Timeline
The following is a list of milestones and anticipated timeframes
for the EIS and Section 106 processes:
<bullet> Scoping period will occur from July 19, 2022 through
September 17, 2022.
<bullet> A draft plan for any needed resource studies/analyses will
be posted to the NSF web page (<a href="https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt">https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt</a>) for additional
public comment in Fall/Winter 2022.
<bullet> NSF will finalize the CEP based on public input (target
late 2022) and implement the measures identified therein throughout the
remainder of the process.
<bullet> NSF will host a workshop to help inform Alternative 2 and
the Section 106 process in Winter 2022/2023.
<bullet> Section 106 consulting parties will meet to consult on the
Area of Potential Effects and identify historic properties during
Winter 2022/2023.
<bullet> NSF will conduct any necessary studies and analyses and
prepare the Draft EIS between Winter 2022 and Summer 2023.
<bullet> The Draft EIS and accompanying public comment period,
including public meetings, are anticipated in Summer 2023; NSF will
continue to meet with consulting parties, pursuant to Section 106, to
identify and resolve adverse effects to historic properties between
Summer 2023 and Spring/Summer 2024.
<bullet> Final EIS is anticipated in Spring/Summer 2024.
<bullet> Record of Decision is anticipated in Fall 2024.
NSF will not make a funding decision until after it considers the
following:
<bullet> Public input.
<bullet> Environmental review of the telescope.
<bullet> Project's technical readiness.
<bullet> Project proponent's management capabilities.
<bullet> Availability of federal funding.
<bullet> Telescope's alignment with other NSF priorities.
(Please note that a decision by NSF not to go forward with an
investment in the construction and operations of TMT could be made at
any time, including before the EIS process has concluded.)
Proposal Information: Information will be posted throughout the EIS
process at <a href="https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt">https://beta.nsf.gov/tmt</a>.
Dated: July 14, 2022.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2022-15349 Filed 7-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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