From:   casca-members@physics.queensu.ca
Subject: [Casca-members] Note from the HIA Director General
Date: August 20, 2009 1:12:48 PM PDT (CA)
To:   casca-members@physics.queensu.ca
Cc:   Gerald.Schieven@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Reply-To:   casca-members@physics.queensu.ca

Dear colleagues

JCMT users are advised that NRC-HIA intends to withdraw its support for 
the telescope effective on March 31, 2012; i.e., effectively at the end 
of observing semester 2011B.

This planned withdrawal is consistent with the recommendation of the 
Mid-term Review Panel for the Long Range Plan and reflects the ramp-up 
of ALMA operations support required of NRC-HIA and the anticipated 
completion of ALMA construction in 2012. The withdrawal date permits 
approximately three years of extended JCMT operations.

The JCMT Agreement requires that two years notice of intent to withdraw 
be given to the other partners and this formal step has not yet been 
taken. In light of the continuing uncertainties related to the 
deployment of SCUBA-2 and its eventual performance on the sky, the 
precise withdrawal date remains subject to discussion with various JCMT 
stakeholders. Every effort will be made to ensure that scientific 
benefits are realized from the substantial investment that the Canadian 
community has made in the SCUBA-2 project.

Greg Fahlman
Director General Herzberg Institute of Astrophysics