HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0847.000 2010-2012 COINTY C_E COrTv geometrician 12 OCT I I PN 2: 59
ASSOCIATES , L L C
integrating geographic science and planning
phone: (808) 969-7090 PO Box 396 Hilo Hawaii 96721 rterry @hawaii.rr.com
October 8, 2012
Dear Agency/Organization Official:
Subject: Early Consultation for Environmental Assessment for PISCES HI-SEAS
Mars Habitat Project in State Land Use Conservation District on Mauna
Loa, TMK(3rd.)3-8-001:001,Humu'ula, Hamakua District, Island of
Hawaii
Our firm is in the process of preparing a Draft Environmental Assessment(EA) for a proposed State of
Hawaii activity, in compliance with Chapter 343, HRS, and Title 11, Chapter 200, HAR. The
Department of Information and Computer Sciences at the University of Hawai`i at Manoa is
developing a research program that uses a realistic planetary-surface habitat under strong operational
conditions to understand and address the risks of long-term human space exploration. The project
would transport and install a"habitat"within an area of less than half an acre on a geologically recent,
previously quarried cinder cone at the 8,000-foot elevation on the slopes of Mauna Loa. The site is in
the Conservation District within the Mauna Loa Forest Reserve. The habitat will be a small, self-
contained unit with sleeping quarters, a kitchen, a computer and lab workspace, and a bathroom. All
wastewater and biological waste will be contained for regular servicing and removal. Presently,the
project is working to acquire a NASA(or similar) habitat while simultaneously designing its own
habitat as a fallback option. Power will be supplied either by a fully self-contained power provider
equipped with data and communications hardware, and/or ultra-quiet and efficient gas Honda 2000i
generators.
The habitat would be inhabited by a crew of six in a space analog environment for four-month periods,
starting in early 2013 and lasting as long as five years. They will live and work under strict analog
conditions, only venturing outside in simulated space suits, communicating with `Earth' via channels
disrupted by latencies and drop-outs, etc.
The areas of investigation in the Environmental Assessment will include but not be limited to water
quality assurance; wastewater treatment; flora, fauna, and ecosystems; traffic impacts; geology, soils,
and hazards; flooding and drainage impacts; social and community impacts; cultural impacts; historic
sites; and economic impacts.
I would appreciate your comments on any special environmental conditions or impacts. Please contact
me at 969-7090 if you have any questions or require clarification. Kindly indicate whether you wish to
receive a copy of the EA or notification of its availability when completed.
Comm. No.
Ref.To:
Ref. Date. OCT 1 1 20x2
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Sincerely,
4;91•
Ron Terry,Principal
Geometrician Associates
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