NASA is proposing to build the $50 million project at the W.M. Keck Observatory within the Mauna Kea Science Reserve. The draft EIS addresses the environmental and cultural effects that could potentially occur from construction, installation and operation of four, and possibly six, outrigger telescopes and identifies La Palma in Spain's Canary Islands as a reasonable alternative site, NASA said.

According to the space agency, the document also examines the cumulative effects of the project on Mauna Kea, something environmentalists, Native Hawaiians and others said was missing from previous development plans.

The 13,796-foot mountain is considered sacred to some Native Hawaiians and is home to unique and endangered plants and insects. There are 13 observatories there, more major telescopes than on any other mountain peak in the world.

The Outrigger Telescopes Project was the subject of a contested case hearing on its permit request before the state Board of Land and Natural Resources, and an Office of Hawaiian Affairs lawsuit. OHA sued NASA to perform an environmental impact statement for the project, but U.S. District Judge Susan Oki Mollway in November 2002 ruled the statement is not necessary under federal law.

But in July 2003, Mollway said the more modest assessment NASA prepared for the project was inadequate, and she ordered an expanded version, a draft of which is now being released.

The Keck Observatory, operated by California Association for Research in Astronomy, has the two largest optical telescopes in the world, the twin 33-foot Keck I and Keck II. The Outrigger Telescopes Project would consist of up to six 6-foot telescopes placed around the two Keck telescopes, within the observatory's present footprint. The smaller scopes would combine with the power of the twin Kecks to produce more detailed images.

NASA said limited money will likely mean only four outrigger telescopes would be installed initially, although the foundations for six would be built. Construction is expected to begin next year, with first operations expected in 2007.

NASA says the Outrigger Telescopes Project is a major element in its Origins Program to investigate how galaxies, planets and stars are formed and whether other planets may have the conditions necessary to support life.

Other sites considered less desirable because they have smaller telescopes include the Mount Wilson Observatory in Los Angeles and the Mount Palomar Observatory in San Diego County.

Copies of the draft EIS are being sent to all public libraries in Hawai'i. A copy also will be available at Keck Observatory headquarters, 65-1120 Mamalahoa Highway in Waimea.

NASA will videotape the meetings and have a Hawaiian-language translator at each meeting. Speakers are asked to provide a written copy of testimony.