Monday is the last day to submit comments on the proposed scope of the National Science Foundation’s environmental review of the $2.65 million Thirty Meter Telescope project.

A proposed environmental impact statement is expected to help the agency determine whether the federal government will provide $850 million or more to support the TMT project as recommended by the astronomy community.

Alternatives to be evaluated in the EIS include:

>> Investment and operation of the TMT on Mauna Kea.

>> Investment and operation of the TMT on Mauna Kea with a plan to practice “responsible astronomy” in partnership with the new Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority, the Maunakea Observatories and “the affected Hawaiian community.”

>> Investment and operation of the TMT in the Canary Islands.

>> No action.

The National Science Foundation held a series of scoping meetings on Hawaii island last month, with testimony dominated by the same folks who have opposed the TMT over the last decade.

Imua TMT, a group led by Native Hawaiians who support the project, on Friday urged the general public to submit comments.

The foundation also published a draft community engagement plan that outlines how it plans to engage the public and proceed through the environmental review in a transparent way.

A draft of the EIS is expected to be ready early next summer, officials said, and the whole review process is expected to last at least a couple of years.

The National Science Foundation extended the comment deadline by two days, until Monday.

For more information and to submit comments, go to foundation’s TMT webpage at 808ne.ws/nsftnt.