What kind of environmental review will be required for this project? Who will be the lead agency? Is Moffett Field actually in the jurisdiction of either Mountain View or Sunnyvale?

Will it just get rail-roaded through because it is a Federal project on Federal land?

I was able to confirm the following yesterday:
An EIS started in 2000 and was finished in 2002 that plans for up to 5000 more people at Moffett.
A memorandum of understanding to establish a research park was signed with Sunnyvale and Mountain View in 1998.
NASA got the input of residents in the late 1990's for this project.

Moffett Field is not within the jurisdiction of either city, though the cities have shown significant political influence int he past. Its unclear if they will be coming back for input as plans are finalized for the first phase. Watch for more articles about this in the coming weeks.

Wow, I wonder if NASA can now "sell" those new housing unit credits to neighboring Cities to help them meet their new ABAG goals? I doubt NASA was given any ABAG housing goals. I bet Palo Alto would be willing to buy the credits. Their banter on PaloAltoOnline.com indicates that they are furious over the new ABAG goals.

I like this Worden fellow who runs Ames.

So just how does NASA use taxpayer money to build housing units? Even if they are able to come up with some source of non-appropriated funds, where is it in their chart to become of landlord for public housing? This can't be legal!

Why does the federal government need to build housing when there are apartments for lease all over the South Bay? With the federal subsidization of the units they will probably be three times the cost of a unit just outside the gate.

Just what is Google's contribution to space exploration? Is it a token offering for cheap office space on the taxpayer's dime?

How's the superfund site cleanup coming? Toxins in the soil don't seem to slow down these developers, even right underneath the planned new construction. From Ellis St. a plume of toxins goes under the freeway and under much of the land designated for the business park/housing.

And why is the Google building NOT going in the area designated for the business park, but instead it's going "inside" the NASA gate near Stevens Creek? I suppose Google will provide their own security fence and guards? Anybody know if there are any ground-dwelling owls out there where Google is looking to build?

This should be looked at as a good thing. All the whining and crying over cutbacks at ARC over the years and here NASA is going to make a major investemnt in the future of not only ARC but in Silicon Valley as a whole and all most of you can do is whine b__ch and complain! It makes me sick! The U.S. needs a vibrant Manned SPace Program, NASA is trying to do something here that will benefit themselves in that respect but also improve the overall situation and add growth to the Valley and the "tree hugging" DO NOTHINGS of the world can only gripe about what they're NOT getting out of this. When was the last time any of you slugs got up off your duffs and tried to contribute instead of taking!?!? More power to NASA & Google on this venture!!! p.s. I'm surprised U.C. is getting involved in this, have they forgotten Silicon Valley is place of Innovation and HARD WORK!!!!

Right on Dallas. People should really take the time to get educated about these issues rather than just being NIMBY's any time a new development is planned in "their" neighborhood. People forget that the house they live in was built by a developer. So too the theaters, the restaurants, the downtowns, and the shopping centers that we enjoy. Why are people so afraid of change? That's what's wrong with this country and why we are fast losing our competitive edge with the 'developing' countries. And what are we supposed to do, NOT clean up an environmentally contaminated site? How do you think we got such a great municipal golf course and wetlands area at Shoreline? Its amazing how people who say they are all about being 'green' have no clue what that means. True sustainability is living denser, more efficiently, less auto usage, making better use of land --- like building on an old air strip maybe. And enough housing did you say? Are you high?!? You are probably one of those people who have lived in your house for 20 years. You people are killing our town by not providing quality housing for employees to actually live here, spend money, and pay taxes. Stop being ignorant and get educated...for your kids sake!

Does anyone know of any further steps that have been taken on development of Moffett field by Google or anyone else since last November?