HILO, Hawaii » The University of Hawaii has taken its first steps toward a new Mauna Kea "master lease" for astronomy facilities on the mountain.

The university is seeking to replace current master leases with a new 65-year agreement covering both the Mauna Kea Science Reserve and Halepohaku mid-level facilities, the Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported.

A 160-page environmental statement preparation notice published Thursday explores the proposal and alternatives.

Mauna Kea now has 13 observatories and telescopes. Another, the Thirty Meter Telescope, has been approved for construction.

Future development will be limited to existing sites, according to the document published last week, but telescopes could be upgraded or replaced.

The university’s current master lease for the 11,288-acre science reserve expires at the end of 2033. The master lease for Halepohaku expires in 2041.

A new agreement would allow the university to sign new subleases with organizations now holding subleases or with new parties, according to the document.

The Keck, Gemini and Subaru observatories have expressed interest in extending subleases.

Extending the sublease also is necessary for the $1.4 billion Thirty Meter Project. Construction for its telescope is expected to begin as early as spring, and the telescope could be up and running in 2022.

The document lists three categories for observatory use: continued operation; expansion or modification; and redevelopment.

"Over the life of a new master lease, it is not possible to know which observatories or observatory sites will fall into the three categories above," the document said. "UH is committed to an overall reduction in astronomy facilities in the summit region; therefore, it is certain that not all sites will be redeveloped or recycled after an existing facility is decommissioned."