TMT - Contested Case Hearing Status - Hilo

[Eric1600]

Well the 2nd and 3rd hours were more interesting, but that was all I could bear watching. They actually had some redirection discussions, but mostly were trying to trap the environmental experts in some kind of redefinition revolving around the project site vs the observation management area. While they admit things will be harmed (endemic animals - bugs) they kept stressing there is mitigation for this to minimize any environmental damage. I don't see really how the outcome of this hearing will be much different. I read some of the testimony (some people wrote a long 20+ page thesis) but there's nothing really new in there that really suggests their right to practice their beliefs will be impaired or that the TMT itself will permanently harm anything.