COM 0644.000 2020-2022 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PREAMBLE PUBLIC ACCESS, OPEN SPACE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PRESERVATION PROGRAM The purpose of the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Program (PONP) has two main focus areas. The focus areas are: 1) facilitate the process of eligible properties for acquisition using the Preservation Fund "The Fund", and 2) to manage these properties with the Preservation Maintenance Fund, "PM Fund." The authority of this program can be found in the Hawaii County Code, Chapter 2, Ariticle 42. The Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission (PONC) is a commission formed to assist in the process. The Commission's purpose: • To develop an initial island-wide prioritized list of qualifying lands worthy of preservation and submit it to the mayor. Priorities shall be listed on an island-wide rather than district basis. The list shall include the significance of each parcel or entitlement, identified the reason for its priority, and its anticipated use after acquisition. • To update this list at any time, but at least annually by December 31 of each year. • To explore methods of funding for conservation easements or land acquisition and make recommendations to the mayor. The commission shall give emphasis to conservation easements or land acquisitions where the County's contribution can be leveraged to obtain State, Federal, and/or private FUNDs. • To review Stewardship Grant Applications and make recommendations to the Department of Finance of the eligible non-profit organization to provide stewarding efforts for property purchased with the Fund. While in the second year of the pandemic, the program is structured in a way that supports and remains focus on the values of this program: the people of Hawaii County are theIII ,.,..,;p> ' true recipients of this program, which protects - VI1*,.'' ,` :?• -}� ci"� . our lands from developement, as well as endangered species. \ ` 1 ' '.i iv i, r � Figure 1. The hawksbill sea turtle is a critically endangered "* J sea turtle.Named for their unique beak-like mouth, which _ f_ resembles that of a hawk. Y, \ 4j Figure 2. The Hawaiian Monk Seals is on the Federal '% > , <: endangered list and to some sources only about 1,100 left , in the wild.