Hawaiʻi grants Navy and NASA extension for environmental review

The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources has granted a 15-day extension for the U.S. Department of the Navy and NASA to complete their final environmental impact statement (FEIS). The statement is a requirement for the agencies to renew leases on state lands used by the Pacific Missile Range Facility and the Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory on Kauaʻi.

The extension provides a 45-day acceptance period, which is the maximum time permitted by state law. This moves the deadline for the state Land Department to decide on the FEIS to September 29.

Ryan Kanakaʻole, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, stated the extension addresses resident concerns regarding the lack of public testimony. Kanakaʻole assured the public that the board would not allow the statement to be automatically accepted without an opportunity for community input, noting the matter may be placed on the September 25 agenda.