DLNR grants Navy, NASA extension on Kauai environmental review

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The Department of Land and Natural Resources has granted the Navy and NASA more time for a key environmental review tied to state land leases on Kauaʻi.

DLNR approved a 15-day extension for the Final Environmental Impact Statement covering the Pacific Missile Range Facility and Kōkeʻe Park Geophysical Observatory.

The FEIS is required as part of the Navy and NASA’s applications to renew leases on state lands they currently use.

The agencies filed the FEIS on Aug. 14, setting an original acceptance deadline of Sept. 13. With the extension, DLNR now has until Sept. 29 to decide whether to accept the document.

“We have heard from residents who are concerned that the FEIS could be automatically accepted on September 14 because it is not on the Board of Land and Natural Resources’ September 11 agenda,” said BLNR Chairperson Ryan Kanakaʻole. “I want to assure everyone that we would not let that happen.”

Kanakaʻole added that the public will have an opportunity to provide testimony on the matter.

DLNR said the FEIS could still be placed on the BLNR’s Sept. 25 agenda.

The Navy and NASA could also withdraw and resubmit the FEIS, which would push consideration to a later date.