Share Your Comments for Environmental Impact Statement for Operations of Extremely Large Telescope

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.

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:

• Website: https://beta.nsf.gov/funding/environmental-compliance/thirty-meter-telescope.

• 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:

• Hilo: August 9, 2022, at the Grand Naniloa Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Crown Room, 93 Banyan Dr., Hilo, HI 96720.
• Naalehu: August 10, 2022, at the Naalehu Community Center, 95-5635 Hawaii Belt Rd., Naalehu, HI 96772.
• Kona: August 11, 2022, at the Outrigger Kona Resort & Spa, Kaleiopapa Convention Center, 78-128 Ehukai St., Kailua-Kona, HI 96740.
• 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.

READ COMPLETE NOTICE: Federal Register :: 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