The National Science Foundation released a supplemental draft environmental impact statement in May for the proposed Advanced Technology Solar Telescope atop Haleakala Volcano in Hawaii.

Comments on the SDEIS must be received or postmarked by June 22, 2009.

Located on the southeastern reach of Maui, Haleakala is managed as a national park, and the summit, with an altitude of 10,023 feet, has become one of the most important astronomical research sites in the world. The University of Hawaii’s Institute for Astronomy operates an 18,166-acre High Altitude Observatory there and is seeking to build the Advanced Technology Solar Telescope despite protests by Native Hawaiians who regard the holy site or wahi pana of Haleakala Crater as a sacred site. Conservationists consider Haleakala to be one of the most threatened parks in the U.S. National Park System, as it is the natural habitat of more endangered species than any other national park, including the only seabird on the U.S. endangered species list.

Comments on the SDEIS should be sent to:

Craig Foltz
ATST Program Manager
National Science Foundation
Division of Astronomical Sciences
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Rm 1045
Arlington, VA 22230
Email: cfoltz@nsf.gov

with a copy sent to:

1. Charlie Fein
KC Environmental Inc.
P.O. Box 1208
Makawao, HI 96768
Email: charlie@kcenv.com

2. Mike Maberry
Associate Director
University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy
34 Ohia Ku Street
Pukalani, HI 96768

3. Dept. of Health, Office of Environmental Quality Control
REF: ATST
235 S. Beretania Street, Rm 702
Honolulu, HI 96813