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Publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) at the Haleakala High Altitude Observatory (HO) Site, Haleakala, Island of Maui, Hawai'i

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 [Federal Register: September 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 172)]
[Notices]
[Page 52585-52586]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr06se06-109]

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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
 
Publication of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) 
for the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) at the Haleakala 
High Altitude Observatory (HO) Site, Haleakala, Island of Maui, Hawai'i

AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION:  Notice--Draft Environmental Impact Statement.

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SUMMARY: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has prepared a Draft 
Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed Advanced 
Technology Solar Telescope (ATST) Project. This joint DEIS is prepared 
in compliance with the Federal National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) 
and the State of Hawai'i Chapter 343, Hawai'i Revised Statutes (HRS). 
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 DEIS addresses the

[[Page 52586]]

multi-year selection process 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 would be an indispensable 
tool for exploring and understanding physical processes on the sun that 
ultimately affect Earth. The DEIS addresses, among other things, the 
potential direct, indirect, and cumulative environmental impacts 
associated with the proposed Advanced Technology Solar Telescope project.
    Written comments may be forwarded to:

ADDRESSES: Dr. Craig B. Foltz, Program Manager, National Science 
Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences, 4201 Wilson Blvd., Room 
1045, Washington DC 22230, telephone: (703) 292-4909, fax: (730) 292-
9034, e-mail: cfoltz@nsf.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 
    Proposed alternatives to be considered include, but are not 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 DEIS does not foreclose consideration of any 
courses of action 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.
    Public Comment Period: The NSF welcomes and invites Federal, State, 
and local agencies, and the public to participate in the 45-day comment 
period for the completion of this EIS. The 45-day public comment period 
begins September 8, 2006, and ends on October 23, 2006. Public comment 
meetings will take place on the island of Maui, Hawai'i, with 
notification of the times and locations published in the local 
newspapers, as follows:
    1. Cameron Center Auditorium, September 27, 2006, Wednesday, 6 p.m. 
to 10 p.m.
    2. Hannibal Tavares Community Center, Multi-purpose Room, September 
28, 2006, Thursday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    3. Kula Community Center, September 29, 2006, Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
    Written comments may be submitted to Dr. Craig B. Foltz at the 
address above.

    Dated: August 23, 2006.
Craig B. Foltz,
ATST Program Officer.
[FR Doc. 06-7429 Filed 9-5-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-M

 
 

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