![]() ![]() They will remain even if the TMT is not built. But there are already twelve observatories on Mauna Kea, some of them almost as large as the TMT. Some native Hawaiians expressed that Mauna Kea is so sacred that the very idea of a large structure is offensive. It will not block views from the summit ridge of the rising sun, setting sun, or Haleakalā. Where it would be visible, other large telescopes are already in view. The TMT cannot be seen from the actual summit or from many other places on the summit ridge. Individuals testified that seeing the TMT will disturb them when they are doing ceremonies or other spiritual practices. The evidence shows that these ceremonies began after the summit access road and first telescopes were built, but, in any case, the TMT will not interfere with them. Some groups perform ceremonies near the summit. The site is not on the summit ridge, which is more visible, and, according to most evidence presented, more culturally important than the plateau 500 feet lower where TMT will be built. The TMT site and its vicinity were not used for traditional and customary native Hawaiian practices conducted elsewhere on Mauna Kea, such as depositing piko, quarrying rock for adzes, pilgrimages, collecting water from Lake Waiau, or burials. It will not significantly change the appearance of the summit of Mauna Kea from populated areas on Hawai‘i Island. The TMT will not pollute groundwater, will not damage any historic sites, will not harm rare plants or animals, will not release toxic materials, and will not otherwise harm the environment. The first large telescope on Mauna Kea was completed forty-seven years ago. Mauna Kea now hosts twelve observatories, including six that are between 100 and 151 feet tall. This project is not, however, on an untouched landscape. The TMT is a very large structure, 180 feet tall, proposed near the top of a culturally important and magnificently beautiful mountain. It is not intended to replace or supplement the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision and order, and they prevail in case of any perceived conflict between them and this Preface. This Preface cannot describe fully how the Board considered various factors. Along with minor corrections, the changes mostly give further explanations for some aspects of the decision.īecause of the length of this document, the Board thought it would be useful to the parties and public to give a brief summary. The Board’s modifications are consistent with the hearing officer’s factual findings and legal conclusions. The Board commends the hearing officer’s thorough, comprehensive and well-considered report, prepared after 44 days of hearings. ![]() ![]() The Board adopts the hearing officer’s recommended findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision and order, with modifications, including additional conditions. Preface to the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Decision and Order regarding Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) HA-3568 for the Thirty Meter Telescope at the Mauna Kea Science Reserve, Ka’ohe Mauka, Hamakua, Hawai’i (September 27, 2017): ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |