The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is proposing to construct a facility on 6.8 acres of State-owned land in Hilo. The USGS facility will replace the USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory (HVO) whose existing buildings in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park were irreparably damaged by the 2018 Kīlauea eruption. The facility will also be the new home of the USGS Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center (PIERC), currently located in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.  

Because the project involves the use of State of Hawai‘i lands, an Environmental Assessment (EA) and Anticipated Finding of No Significant Impacts (AFONSI) has been prepared for the project in accordance with Hawai‘i Revised Statutes (HRS) Chapter 343 and Chapter 11-200.1 Hawai‘i Administrative Rules. The EA also meets the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act.  

Provide your input by reviewing the draft online or attending the open house 

A 30-day public review period of the environmental assessment will run until March 28, 2023.  

Review online through March 28, 2023 

The Draft EAAFONSI can be viewed or downloaded from the ERP website beginning today, February 23, 2023. Enter the following URL into your web browser and it will take you directly to the Draft EA-AFONSI and Appendices. https://files.hawaii.gov/dbedt/erp/Doc_Library/2023-02-23-HA-DEA-USGS-Hilo-Research-Facility.pdf 

If you wish to receive a CD copy, please submit a written request to USGS-Hilo-HVO-PIERC@hhf.com. 

Please send comments to: USGS-Hilo-HVO-PIERC@hhf.com, with a copy to the USGS at: jsizemore@usgs.gov 

As an alternative to email, comments postmarked by March 28, 2023, may be sent via USPS to Jordan D. Sizemore (contact info below).

Attend the open house on March 15, 2023 

USGS invites the public to an informal Open House on March 15, 2023, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at USGS Hilo – Iron Works building located at 1266 Kamehameha Ave C, Hilo, HI 96720.  

USGS Science Center and Project Team members will be present to share more about the project and answer questions. Copies of the EA, exhibits with project illustrations, and information will be available for viewing and discussions.  This is an informal opportunity for the public to discuss the project with USGS representatives and to learn more about the proposed building and the work USGS does.

If you have a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to fully participate in this meeting, please contact Jordan Sizemore using the contact information below to discuss your accessibility needs.  

Mahalo; if you have questions or comments, please contact: Jordan D. Sizemore (contact info below). 

Jordan D. Sizemore, REM 

Environmental Protection Specialist  

Phone: (603) 730-7743 

Email jsizemore@usgs.gov

Mailing address: 

U.S. Geological Survey 

P.O. Box 25046, MS 205 

Lakewood, CO 80225