B. Environmental Assessment at Mauna Kea
- After a careful study of the project in 1991, the environmental consultant determined that it would be advisable to submit a Project Description and Environmental Review (PD/ER) rather than an Environmental Assessment/Negative Declaration (EA/Neg Dec). More importantly, a detailed understanding of the project led the consultant to conclude that the design fell within the original guidelines of the Mauna Kea Science Reserve Complex Development Plan. The PD/ER was subsequently submitted on December 28, 1993 and accepted by the OEQC, with a formal reply letter dated January 3, 1994.
- In February 1994, subsequent to review meetings by the Project Advisory Committee and discussions thereafter, it was decided that the array configuration should be changed from a concentric array of four rings to a tangential array of four rings by making one antenna position common to all rings. This reduced the number of antenna pad positions, from 24 to 21 pads. However, while studying the configuration change, it was determined that the tangential array could be easily configured so as to accommodate eight antennas per ring, in at least three of the four rings. Therefore, after considerable review, the array was finalized, creating three (inner) rings of eight antennas and one (outermost) ring of six antennas. This change was considered a major departure from the description given in the already approved PD/ER, although the environmental impact appeared to be less. The project requested that the University of Hawaii seek re-approval from the OEQC of the revised array configuration. This approval was obtained on May 24, 1994.