Chelle Shand, a newly elected member of the Moku Loa Group Ex Com, is our new Conservation Committee chair. Returning members of the committee are Keith Burchett, Ed Clark, Nelson Ho, who is Chapter Conservation chair, Art McCornack, Jan Moon, Mary Marvin Porter, Sally Wang and Debbie Ward. Nicomas Dollar, also on the Moku Loa Ex Com, will work on conservation. Aloha to Mark Batchelor. Mark has moved to Los Angeles to work as a plant protection officer for the U. S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Inspection Service.
The Environmental Council's proposed rule changes for the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was supported at a hearing on November 16 by Nelson Ho and Sally Wang. One proposed rule would require an environmental assessment whenever there was a land use change (for a county general plan) to a use other than Agriculture, Conservation or Preservation. The proposed rules would give a more comprehensive definition of cumulative impact and would consider also a project's affect on beaches and scenic vistas.
Hawaii County Bill #160 to assist protection of native forests by lowering the real property tax rate on land zoned "Agriculture" covered by native forest was supported by testimony from Nelson Ho and Debbie Ward in late November. The bill would designate the rate for native forest at the lowest level which now is given for agriculture land in pasture. This would eliminate benefiting landowners with a lower tax rate who convert native forests to pasture.
Hawaii County Resolution #248 requesting establishment of a trail system along Kalanianaole Avenue in Keaukaha is being supported by Jan Moon and others. They will be working with Councilman Elroy Osorio to develop a plan.
Hawaii's Coastal Non-point Source Pollution Program Draft Management Plan is a major attempt to reduce pollution of streams and near shore ocean waters. Committee members spent considerable time studying the draft and writing comments that were submitted in early February. Comments were made by Debbie Ward on agriculture, Chelle Shand on forestry, Art McCornack on urban areas, Ed Clark on marinas and recreational boating, and Keith Burchett on wetlands and riparian areas. These comments covered both administrative considerations and technical problems.
Hawaii County Resolution #242 relating to preservation of hunting rights originally was aimed at eliminating fenced- reserves to exclude game animals in order to protect native plants and animals. Following hearings, at which Nelson Ho and Sally Wang and many others testified, the resolution was rewritten. The new version recognized public need to protect certain endangered native ecosystems and emphasized game management as a means for improving hunting opportunities. The compromise was made to allow the Natural Area Reserve Working Groups to continue to work out differences between hunters, environmentalists and the public.
C.Brewer's proposal for 800 new homes, costing between $225,000 and $325,000 located on approximately 288 acres of former sugar land (north of the Wailuku River and above Clem Akina Park and Doodoo Mortuary in Puueo), is the topic of study by a subcommittee headed by Mary Marvin Porter. The subcommittee is investigating numerous concerns about the project. In county hearings on up-zoning the land to Residential from Agriculture, Debbie Ward questioned drainage and potential flooding in Puueo, and Mary Marvin questioned the type of development planned and its impact. The project has received approval from the state, and the county Planning Commission has recommended approval to the council.