Notice to Proceed Issued for TMT
I am happy to learn that the State of Hawaii has given the Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) the approval to start construction. Building of the new observatory on Mauna Kea mountain is to start sometime this summer. Here is the press release that we got from TMT. Our future is in the stars, TMT will give us a better understanding of the universe around us as we seek more knowledge and the possibility of life out there.
– Melvin Ah Ching, Editor & Publisher, The Hawaii Files Blog.
PRESS RELEASE
The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) has issued a notice to proceed (NTP) to the University of Hawaii for the Thirty Meter Telescope on Maunakea. The NTP is a formal communication indicating that all pre-construction conditions and mitigation measures specifically required as a condition of the Conservation District Use Permit (CDUP) have been met. With the NTP, TMT can proceed with construction.
Henry Yang, Chair, TMT International Observatory Board of Governors, issued the following statement in response to the news:
“TMT is pleased and grateful that the notice to proceed has been issued by the Department of Land and Natural Resources to the University of Hawaii. We remain committed to being good stewards of Maunakea, and to honoring and respecting the culture and traditions of Hawaii. It has been a long process to get to this point. We are deeply grateful to our many friends and community supporters for their advice and for their encouragement and support of the TMT project over the years.”
TMT is working with the University and relevant state and county agencies to determine an appropriate start date for construction.
During a press conference announcing the NTP, Governor David Ige, Attorney General Clare Connors, DLNR Chair Suzanne Case and UH President David Lassner emphasized the need for stewardship, safety and security during construction. To view the archived press conference, visit https://www.facebook.com/GovernorDavidIge/videos/1039976716188587
