Decision on Thirty Meter Telescope Site Deferred

The TMT International Observatory Board of Governors at its meeting this week deferred a decision on whether to continue towards building the Thirty Meter Telescope in Hawaiʻi, or to consider the alternative in the Canary Islands.

Artist’s interpretation of the TMT on Mauna Kea. Image courtesy tmt.org.

A decision will be made on the planned location of the Thirty Meter Telescope as further progress is made in the legal and regulatory processes at both proposed sites.

Ed Stone, Executive Director of the TMT International Observatory said, “We continue to assess the ongoing situation as we work toward a decision.”

In Hawaiʻi, there are two appeals before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court. The Hawaiʻi state land board, also known as the Hawaiʻi Board of Land and Natural Resources, voted last fall to reissue a Conservation District Use Permit that would allow construction of the telescope on Maunakea on Hawaiʻi Island. The matter has been appealed before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court and legal briefs have been filed in that case.

Oral arguments for the other court appeal, involving a consent to sublease, were held before the Hawaiʻi Supreme Court in March.

“TMT is grateful that the legal process is moving forward in Hawaiʻi and we remain hopeful of court decisions that will allow us to resume construction on Maunakea,” said TIO Board Chair Henry Yang. “We remain respectful of and will continue to follow the legal and regulatory processes.”

The environmental and permitting process required to build in the Canary Islands, at the La Palma site, is continuing. The environmental impact assessment for the project has been submitted to the relevant authorities and, once the document is accepted, permits for construction and other clearances will be applied for.

“While Maunakea remains our preferred choice,” Stone said, “we continue to work closely with planning officials at our alternative site in the Canary Islands.”

Significant fabrication of the Thirty Meter Telescope’s infrastructure and components continues off-site by the participating partners in the project.

“With work progressing around the partnership, we are ready to initiate on-site construction,” Stone said.