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ACHP Makes Recommendations to National Science Foundation

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation has issued recommendations to the National Science Foundation (NSF) regarding its project to site the Very Energetic Radiation Imaging Telescope Array System (VERITAS) at Kitt Peak National Observatory in southern Arizona. Among the key recommendations were:

• finding an alternative location for the project and resuming discussions with the Tohono O’Odham Nation to resolve the adverse affects caused by premature project construction;
• nominating the existing Kitt Peak area to the National Register of Historic Places and establishing a preservation program for the site;
• working with the Tohono O’Odham Nation to identify actions the NSF can take to decommission existing facilities as they become obsolete; and,
• ensuring that NSF staff trained in Section 106 requirements are involved in the future and that consultation occurs at a time early enough to adequately consider historic features.

For details and to view the entire letter sent to the NSF, click here. (PDF)
For background information, click here. (PDF)

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