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The environment has changed on Mauna Kea ever since the first telescope was built. There have been many speculations about the negative environmental effect on the mountain before these telescopes were built. There have been some endangered plants as well as animals that have been affected. The reason for this occurrence is because of the telescopes that are being built around their habitat. As seen in the Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan UH Management Areas, there have been spills of different materials on the mountain. The reason for this occurrence is the elements that are being used for the telescopes. In the event that the Thirty Meter Telescope is built there are concerns about the environmental impact that it has on the mountain, the water supply as well as, native or endangered plants or animals.

Native plants as well as animals affected by the observatories
For some endangered native plants like the silversword (Argyroxiphiu, sandwicense) that are endemic to Hawaiʻi have been harmed. Because the telescopes being built have affected their homes. In 1998, there was an audit conducted by The Auditor State of Hawai’i into the management of the mountain as well as the science reserve. They found that observatories have harmed endangered species' homes. For the future of the mountain, the vice president of the TMT International Observatory, Gordon Squires, assures the public that the new site that they are building on would not affect any endangered species. On the other hand, the wēkiu bug (Nysius wekiuicola) was on the endangered species list and will have some of its home affected.

Hazardous materials as well as sewage spills
Ever since 1978 there have been multiple spills on the mountain. The latest spill being in 2008, although this may be true in 2004, which it was the last time any hazardous materials have been spilled. Out of the 13 telescopes that are on the mountain 8 have split materials. Out of the 8 the Canada France Hawaii Telescope facility has split the most times, having a total of four spills. They spilled materials like hydraulic fluid as well as mercury. The CFHT Facility did not spill the most amount of material on the mountain, and it was Hale Pōhaku. In 2008, Hale Pōhaku spilt around 500 to 1,000 gallons of sewage on to the mountain, and in a couple of days it was fully absorbed. The six other locations that spilt material were W.M. Keck Observatory (indoors) (spilt twice), Subaru Telescope (twice), Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory Submillimeter Array (twice), Caltech Submillimeter Observatory (twice), UH 2.2-m Telescope facility (indoors) as well as NASA IRTF (indoors). The April 2009 Mauna Kea Comprehensive Management Plan in table 6-2 titled "Hazardous Material and Sewage Spills Associated with Astronomy Operations on Mauna Kea" says that there were a total of 11 types of materials split on the mountain. These materials were sewage, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, mercury, hydraulic fluid, crankcase oil, hydraulic fluid, transmission oil, diesel fuel, engine oil, as well as hydraulic oil. Mercury has been spilled 5 times, the latest spill being in 1998. Mercury has been spilled the most times. It is only a small amount compared to other materials that were spilt each time any hazardous materials are split each observatory has a protocol on how to handle the situation. Out of all of the facilities on the mountain, Keck Observatory uses as well as stores the most amount of hazardous materials.

Thirty Meter Telescope Environmental Impact
The Thirty Meter Telescope has been a big topic over the past year especially with the Kū Kia’i Mauna protest that happened in the summer of 2019. If the TMT is going to be built it will be the biggest telescope on Mauna Kea. There are many concerns about the environmental impact that it will have on the mountain. On social media there have been false claims about what is going to run the telescope. It said that the Thirty Meter Telescope is going to be powered by nuclear power. TMT officials as well as the state assured the public that the telescope will not be a threat to the environment as well as the water supply for Big Island residents.

The telescope will be built on a new site on the summit. The telescope, parking lot as well as the building supporting it will be about 5 acres. For comparison the whole facility can fit into Aloha Stadium. Then after 50 years the vice president of the TMT International Observatory, Gordon Squires, says that they will shut down the telescope. On the other hand, for the other telescopes on the mountain there are already five in the planning stages of being decommissioned. Out of the five there are two telescopes that have not been in use for several years now. One of which is the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory.

Effect on the water supply
The biggest concern regarding whether TMT is built is the effect of Hilo’s water supply. The state as well as scientists proved at a public hearing that the Thirty Meter Telescope does not harm the island's water supply. Since the site of the telescope is 12 miles away from any well, there is no environmental impact on natural resources. In addition to this, TMT is going to try hard to not spill any materials like the other telescopes on the mountain. This means that TMT will not use mercury like the other observatories.