Notice2024-08540
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the Construction and Operation of the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research Facility on the Island of Maui, Hawaíi
Primary source
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Published
April 22, 2024
Issuing agencies
Defense DepartmentAir Force Department
Abstract
The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this notice of intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to assess the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated with the proposed construction and operation of the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research (AMOS STAR) facility on the island of Maui, Hawa[iacute]i (the Proposed Action). DAF is the Lead Agency and has invited the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) to participate as Cooperating Agencies in the NEPA process. The project proponent is the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron (15 SPSS), a blended asset unit with assigned personnel from the U.S. Space Force Space Operations Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 89 Issue 78 (Monday, April 22, 2024)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 78 (Monday, April 22, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29311-29312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2024-08540]
[[Page 29311]]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for
the Construction and Operation of the Air Force Maui Optical and
Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research Facility on the
Island of Maui, Hawa[iacute]i
AGENCY: Department of Defense, Department of the Air Force.
ACTION: Notice of intent.
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SUMMARY: The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is issuing this notice
of intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to
assess the potential environmental and socioeconomic impacts associated
with the proposed construction and operation of the Air Force Maui
Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research (AMOS
STAR) facility on the island of Maui, Hawa[iacute]i (the Proposed
Action). DAF is the Lead Agency and has invited the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and the National Park Service (NPS) to participate
as Cooperating Agencies in the NEPA process. The project proponent is
the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron (15 SPSS), a blended asset unit
with assigned personnel from the U.S. Space Force Space Operations
Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).
DATES: A public scoping period of 45 days will start on the date of
publication of this NOI in the Federal Register. Through the scoping
process, the DAF is inviting input regarding potential alternatives,
information, and analysis relevant to the Proposed Action. The DAF will
be conducting analysis and consultation to comply with Section 106 of
the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) and is soliciting
comments and concerns regarding the effect of the project on historic
properties. Comments will be accepted at any time during the
environmental impact analysis process; however, to ensure the DAF has
sufficient time to consider public scoping comments during preparation
of the Draft EIS, please submit comments within the 45-day scoping
period.
The Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Draft EIS is anticipated to
be published in early 2025; and the NOA of the Final EIS is anticipated
in early 2026. A decision could be made no earlier than 30 days after
the Final EIS.
The DAF invites the public, stakeholders, and other interested
parties to attend one or more of three scoping meetings to be held at
community centers in Kahului, Pukalani, and K[imacr]hei on Maui on the
evenings of May 13, 14 and 15, 2024, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The
meeting on May 13 will be held at Kahului Community Center, 275 Uhu
St., Kahului, Maui, HI, 96732, the meeting on May 14 will be held at
Mayor H. Tavares Community Center, 91 Pukalani St., Pukalani, Maui, HI
96768, and the meeting on May 15 will be held at K[imacr]hei Community
Center, 303 E. Lipoa St., K[imacr]hei, Maui, HI 96753. The meetings
will provide an opportunity for attendees to learn more about the
proposed AMOS STAR facility and the scope of the EIS. Project team
members will be available to answer questions, and exhibits will be on
view starting at 6:00 p.m. A presentation about the proposed AMOS STAR
facility will be shown at 6:30 p.m. Attendees will have an opportunity
to provide oral comments from approximately 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Written comments are encouraged and can be submitted at any time during
the 45-day scoping period.
ADDRESSES: The AMOS STAR EIS website at <a href="http://www.amosstareis.com">www.amosstareis.com</a> can be used
to submit comments on the scope of the EIS and comments regarding the
effect of the project on historic properties. Alternatively, comments
can be submitted by email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#294844465a5a5d485b4c405a695d4c5d5b485d4c4a41074a4644"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="fd9c90928e8e899c8f98948ebd8998898f9c89989e95d39e9290">[email protected]</span></a> or by U.S. Mail
to AMOS STAR EIS c/o Tetra Tech, 1230 Columbia Street, Suite 1000, San
Diego, CA 92101. For other AMOS STAR facility inquiries, or for
assistance under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please call Ms.
Emily Peacock, USSF Public Affairs, Space Base Delta 1 at (774) 545-
0152 or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#4f2a22262336613f2a2e2c202c240f3c3f2e2c2a29203d2c2a61222623"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="ff9a92969386d18f9a9e9c909c94bf8c8f9e9c9a99908d9c9ad1929693">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Proposed Action is to
provide dedicated satellite tracking and communication capability to
allow the characterization, cataloging, and tracking of objects in
space and to enable advanced research to expand the DAF's understanding
of objects in the Pacific Theater. The DAF needs to expand the
capabilities of AMOS STAR regarding space domain awareness. To expand
this capability, additional telescopes need to be located at a site
where there are favorable viewing conditions for observing objects in
space in the Pacific Theater. Additionally, the 15 SPSS must be able to
readily provide operational control and support to the additional
telescopes.
The EIS will analyze the potential impacts of constructing and
operating the AMOS STAR facility on 0.87 acres of a developed site
adjacent to the Haleakal[amacr] Observatory and the 15 SPSS Maui Space
Surveillance Complex (MSSC). The proposed facility of telescopes and an
optics lab would be connected to and largely operated by existing high-
speed fiber optic links and microwave transmissions from the AFRL and
15 SPSS facilities from the MSSC AEOS control room, and would require
installation of utilities, additional fiber optic links, paved access
and parking facilities, surface water management measures, and other
site improvements. Electricity would be supplied from the island-wide
grid; during power grid interruptions, power would be supplied by the
diesel generator located on the south side of MSSC approximately 200
feet northeast of the AMOS STAR facility site.
The Proposed Action (Alternative 1) would consist of six telescopes
enclosed in ground-mounted domes, one rooftop-mounted domed telescope,
and use of an existing building for communication equipment and an
optics laboratory for the rooftop telescope. Two of the telescopes
under the Proposed Action would have laser communication capabilities.
The EIS will also evaluate Alternative 2, a reduced build out
alternative as a reasonable action alternative. Alternative 2 is
similar to the Proposed Action (Alternative 1); under Alternative 2,
only the 6 ground-mounted telescopes would be installed, and the
existing building on the site would only be used for communication
equipment storage. Alternative 2 would result in less intrusion on the
viewshed of the site from points downslope, and less intensive use of
the overall facility. The EIS will also analyze the effects of the No
Action Alternative as prescribed by the Council on Environmental
Quality regulations.
To implement the proposed action, the DAF would require an Outgrant
Permit from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and a Special Use
Permit from the National Park Service (NPS) for roadway use. A federal
Coastal Zone Management Act determination will be conducted and
coordinated to determine consistency of the action with the
Hawa[iacute]i Coastal Management Program. Additionally, a Conservation
District Use Permit would be required from the Department of Land and
Natural Resources, Office of Conservation and Coastal Lands.
Key resources of concern, for which adverse impacts could occur,
include cultural and historical resources, visual resources, and
biological resources. Those resource areas and others will be analyzed
in the EIS to determine if impacts would be significant.
[[Page 29312]]
Scoping and Agency Coordination: Consultation will include, but not
necessarily be limited to, consultation under Section 7 of the
Endangered Species Act and consultation under Section 106 of the NHPA,
to include consultation with federally recognized Native Hawaiian
organizations. The DAF and Cooperating Agencies will determine the
scope of the analysis by soliciting comments from interested local,
State, and federally elected officials and agencies, federally
recognized Native Hawaiian organizations, as well as interested members
of the public.
Tommy W. Lee,
Acting Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. 2024-08540 Filed 4-19-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3911-44-P
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