Environmental Impact Statement for the Department of the Air Force Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research Facility, Maui, Hawaiʻi

News Release from Department of the Air Force, April, 2024

Welcome to the website for the Department of the Air Force (DAF) proposed Maui Optical and Supercomputing Site Small Telescope Advanced Research (AMOS STAR) Facility Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The project proponent is the 15th Space Surveillance Squadron (15 SPSS), a blended asset unit with assigned personnel from the U.S. Space Force Space Operations Command and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL; both are part of the DAF.)

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the DAF is required to conduct environmental analyses for any major federal action it proposes, determine the environmental impacts from the proposed action, provide the public and other stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the action and associated analyses, and consider all alternatives. The proposed AMOS STAR facility constitutes a major federal action, which means the DAF must develop an EIS for the Proposed Action. The DAF is considering all reasonable alternatives to fulfill the purpose of and need for the action. The AMOS STAR EIS is being developed to satisfy the requirements of Hawaiʻi Environmental Policy Act (HEPA) because the proposed AMOS STAR Facility would involve the use of state or county lands; and involve the use of land within the State Conservation District (HRS § 343-5(a)(1 and 2)).

The EIS Process

The EIS process was initiated on or about April 23, 2024, with the publication of a Notice of Intent in the Federal Register. During the initial phase of the NEPA and HEPA combined process, the DAF invites all stakeholders (agencies, organizations, and the members of the public) to learn more about the proposed AMOS STAR facility and to provide input on the scope of issues to be considered in the development of the Draft EIS.

The DAF invites all stakeholders to attend one of the three scoping meetings identified below. The meetings will each provide an opportunity for stakeholders to learn more about the proposed AMOS STAR facility and the scope of the EIS. The information presented will be the same at each meeting.

Kahului Community Center

• May 13, 2024, 6:00–9:00 p.m.
• 275 Uhu Street, Kahului, Maui, HI 96732

Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center

• May 14, 2024 6:00–9:00 p.m.
• 91 Pukalani Street, Pukalani, Maui, HI 96768

Kīhei Community Center

• May 15, 2024 6:00–9:00 p.m.
• 303 East Lipoa Street, Kīhei, Maui, HI 96753

Information Presented

Information presented at the scoping meetings also is available through the Scoping Materials drop-down menu at the top of this web page. There you will find the Notice of Intent (NOI); the EIS Preparation Notice (EISPN); the scoping meeting presentation; and various fact sheets, maps, and figures.

You also can make comments on the scope of the EIS through the website by selecting Provide Comments at the top of this web page. Scroll to the bottom of that web page and click Upload Your Documents. You also can send your comments by email or U.S. Mail by following the directions provided on the Provide Comments page. Or you can select Comment Card on the drop-down menu, complete the card, and return it by mail. All comments should be submitted or postmarked by June 7, 2024, to ensure they are fully considered as the draft EIS is prepared. 

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