The National Science Foundation has issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to Prepare an Environmental Impact Statement and Initiate Section 106 Consultation for Proposed Changes to Arecibo Observatory Operations, Arecibo, Puerto Rico and Notice of Public Scoping Meetings and Comment Period. As indicated in the NOI, scoping comments may be submitted to the National Science Foundation during the public comment period, which extends through June 23, 2016, via email ([email protected]) or via mail to Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, National Science Foundation Division of Astronomical Sciences, Suite 1045, 4201 Wilson Blvd, Arlington VA, 22230. Comments may also be provided during the two public scoping meetings scheduled for June 7, 2016 in Puerto Rico, at locations listed in the Federal Register notice linked below.

Federal Register: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR=2016-05-23/pdf/2016-12036.pdf

Information will be posted throughout the process at: http:// www.nsf.gov/AST

Please note that comments must be submitted via the mechanisms described above in order to be considered.

James S. Ulvestad, Division Director, Division of Astronomical Sciences
Paul B. Shepson, Division Director, Division of Atmospheric and Geospace Sciences