The University of Hawaii is seeking new master leases for its astronomy facilities on Mauna Kea, replacing its leases with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources,The Tribune Herald reported Saturday.

An Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) preparation notice was published Thursday, which explores a proposal for a new 65-year lease covering the Mauna Kea Science Reserve and Halepohaku mid-level facilities and potential alternatives, according to the report.

Under the EIS, development will only be on areas withexisting subleases.

Under this and all other alternatives, astronomical and related facilities on Mauna Kea would be restricted to existing sublease areas, the EIS preparation notice states. No new sites would be developed.

A formalEIS and comments will be accepted on the document until Feb. 6.

The current master leases for the 11,288-acre science reserveexpire Dec. 31, 2033. The Halepohaku leases will expire in 2041.

See the original post here:

UH seeks new leases for astronomy facilities on Mauna Kea