For immediate release
August 5, 2005
Contacts:
Dr. Rolf Kudritzki, Director
University of Hawaii
Institute for Astronomy
(808) 956-8566
kud@ifa.hawaii.edu
Dr. Frederic Chaffee, Director
W. M. Keck Observatory
(808) 885-7887
fchaffee@keck.hawaii.edu
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Record of Decision Issued
for Outrigger Telescopes Project
MAUNA KEA (August 5, 2005) NASA has released its Record of
Decision concerning the Outrigger Telescopes Project, selecting
the W.M. Keck Observatory on Mauna Kea as the site for the
project.
In its decision, NASA states: "No alternate site
matches the scientific capability of the W. M. Keck Observatory
on Mauna Kea, which hosts the world's two largest and most
powerful telescopes. The W.M. Keck
Observatory is found to offer the highest overall scientific
potential, as well as the lowest technical and programmatic
risk."
NASA retains the option of going to an alternative site if,
for any reason, the project is unable to proceed at Mauna Kea. Assuming
that the Outrigger Telescopes Project does come to Mauna Kea,
NASA will ensure that all mitigation and monitoring measures
detailed in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS)
will be carried out. Among these measures is a commitment
to fund a $2 million initiative directed to the preservation
and protection of historic and cultural resources on Mauna
Kea and to the educational needs of Hawaiians. The FEIS
also contains an extensive set of mitigation measures to protect
the Wekiu bug, a candidate for listing as an endangered species.
Among these are commitments to avoid construction impacts,
restore previously damaged habitat, monitor Wekiu bug activity,
and fund a study of the bug's life cycle and environmental
requirements.
In its decision, NASA also states that it will ensure compliance
with conditions imposed on the project through the State of
Hawaii permitting and approval process.
In commenting on NASA's decision, Rolf Kudritzki, Director
of the University of Hawaii Institute for Astronomy stated
that he was "extremely pleased that NASA has selected
Mauna Kea, the scientifically superior site, for the Outrigger
Project. NASA has made this decision based on the extensive
studies and consultations that were carried out for the EIS."
The Outrigger Telescopes Project is still being reviewed by
the UH Office of Mauna Kea Management, and requires UH approval
before it can proceed.
A copy of the Record of Decision is available on the Web at
http://www2.keck.hawaii.edu.
Select "News and Outreach" then "Outrigger
Telescopes."
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