I posted a link to a PDF earlier & this may be connected:

Environmental Impact Statement for the Sacramento Peak Observatory Sunspot, New Mexico National Science Foundation February 2018

Cover Sheet Draft Environmental Impact Statement Sacramento Peak Observatory, Sunspot, Otero County, New Mexico Responsible/Lead Agency: The National Science Foundation Cooperating Agency: The United States Forest Service For more information, contact: Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W9152 Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Public Comment Period: February 8, 2018 through March 26, 2018 To Submit a Comment: • Email to: • Mail to: [email protected] with subject line “Sacramento Peak Observatory” Ms. Elizabeth Pentecost, RE: Sacramento Peak Observatory National Science Foundation, Division of Astronomical Sciences 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Suite W9152 Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Abstract: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has produced a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) to analyze the potential environmental impacts associated with proposed operational changes due to funding constraints for the Sacramento Peak Observatory in Sunspot, Otero County, New Mexico. The four Action Alternatives analyzed in the DEIS are as follows: 1) continued science- and educationfocused operations by interested parties with reduced NSF funding, 2) transition to partial operations by interested parties with reduced NSF funding, 3) mothballing of facilities, and 4) demolition and site restoration. Environmental resources and concerns considered in the DEIS are biological resources, cultural resources, visual resources, geology and soils, groundwater, hazardous materials, solid waste, health and safety, noise, socioeconomics, and traffic and transportation.

[While this might kill some of the conspiracy drama, perhaps this is a preliminary killshot to close the facility down. The table of contents following the above breaks down the alternatives. My hunch is there's more based on the facts so far, but perhaps this is a mundane federal bumrush. Not easy to post links & have been getting captchas so will try linking next post.]