Page 32 - MidWeek - March 17, 2021

32 MIDWEEK March 17, 2021
The Missile Defense Agency to Reopen Public Scoping for the Homeland Defense Radar – Hawaii Environmental Impact Statement
The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), in cooperation with the Department of the Air Force, Department of the Army, Department
of the Navy, and the Federal Aviation Administration, is reopening
the public scoping period for the Homeland Defense Radar–Hawaii (HDR-H) Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), due to changes in the proposed alternatives. In 2018, the HDR-H alternatives located on the island of O‘ahu included Kuaokala¯ Ridge (KR) on state-owned land adjacent to the U.S. Air Force Ka‘ena Point Satellite Tracking Station, and two alternative sites at U.S. Army Kahuku Training Area (KTA). In 2020, MDA removed the KR and KTA Site 2 alternatives from further consideration for HDR-H, and added a new alternative at the U.S. Navy Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) on the island of Kaua‘i.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 requires MDA to develop a plan to procure a discrimination radar, or equivalent sensor, for a location that will improve homeland missile defense for the defense of Hawai‘i. The FY2021 NDAA authorizes MDA to continue Homeland Defense Radar - Hawaii (HDR-H) radar
development and siting efforts. The FY 2021 Appropriation bill provided funding to continue these efforts in FY 2021. Therefore, MDA is engaged in Advanced Planning studies and preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the siting and development of the HDR-H, should a deployment decision be made and is funded.
The EIS analysis will include three alternatives: one on O‘ahu (KTA Site 1), one on Kaua‘i (PMRF), and a No Action Alternative. If the HDR-H is funded, and if the HDR-H were constructed on O‘ahu, the U.S. Air Force Solar Observatory on O‘ahu would be relocated to
the Air Force Research Laboratory Remote Maui Experiment site on Maui or to PMRF on Kaua‘i. The Proposed Action would also include establishment of restricted airspace for the HDR-H site.
This public scoping effort will supplement additional consultation under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and its implementing regulations at 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 800.
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, MDA will provide an Online Open House website and hold Telephone Public Meetings in place of in-person public scoping meetings.
When: February 26 to April 12, 2021
Location: https://www.mda.mil/hdrh.html Time: 4:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. HST 6:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m. HST
Dial:
The Online Open House website has been prepared to provide project information and the ability to comment on the proposed project. Public outreach material is available on the project website or upon request. You will have an opportunity to submit comments through the Online Open House.
The Telephone Public Meetings provide attendees with the opportunity to ask questions of MDA representatives and provide comments. In
an effort to maximize participation, MDA is providing two identical Telephone Public Meetings.
Privacy Advisory: Public comments on the HDR-H are requested pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act. All comments received during the comment period will become part of the public record, and substantive comments will be considered during preparation of the Draft EIS. Private address information is voluntary and will be kept confidential unless release is required by law.
855-756-7520, 855-756-7520, access code 69947 access code 70114
Public comments must be postmarked or received by April 12, 2021 to ensure their consideration in the Draft EIS analysis.
Public comments on the HDR-H can also be submitted by using any of the following options:
When: March 23, 2021 March 25, 2021
US Mail:
Website: Voicemail: Email:
Fax:
KFS, LLC - Attn: MDA HDR-H EIS 303 Williams Ave., Suite 116 Huntsville, AL 35801
https://www.mda.mil/hdrh.html
1-888-473-6650
mda.hdrh.eis@kfs-llc.com
subject line MDA HDR-H EIS
256-713-1617
subject line MDA HDR-H EIS
For more information, contact MDA Public Affairs at:
256-450-1599 or MDA.info@mda.mil
Approved for Public Release 21-MDA-10690 (9 Feb 21)