COM 0561.000 2002-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Honorable James Y. Arakaki, Chairman and Members of the County Council Page 6 The request for an Agricultural Project District will not result in a substantial adverse impact upon the surrounding area, community or region. The project site consists of two contiguous parcels located approximately .6 miles mauka of Pahala in an area formerly known as Meyer Camp. The camp, as well as other camps in the general area, were abandoned and demolished by the plantation in the 1960's. The subject site has a variety of farm crops on approximately ten acres. The entire site was formerly planted in sugar cane. By letter dated November 11, 2003 (Appendix A of the application), the applicant has requested a "no effect" letter from the Department of Land and Natural Resources State Historic Preservation Division (DLNR-HPD). As the site was formerly cultivated in sugar cane, an archaeological inventory survey of the site was not conducted. By letter dated January 20, 2004, the DLNR-HPD has confirmed that no archaeological inventory survey has been conducted of the subject area. While the majority of the property has a history of agricultural usage, maps of the area flume, ditch and trail may still exist. The DLNR-HPD also states that there may be habitation sites as well as a graveyard associated with the plantation camp located in the area. Therefore, the DLNR-HPD recommends that an archaeological inventory survey be conducted for their review and approval. If significant historical sites are identified, a mitigation plan may be required. The applicant has stated that work will cease and the applicant will notify the Planning Department should any unanticipated archaeological features or sites are discovered during the course of improving the site. The subject site is not adjacent or proximate to the shoreline. As such, gathering of marine life and coastal access is not an issue. The applicant states that no Native Hawaiians have used the subject or immediate surrounding area in the recent past for the gathering of plants. Thus, it is believed that the project would have no adverse impact relative to the cultural and historical resources of the area. To the extent to which traditional and customary Native Hawaiian rights are exercised, the proposed action will not affect traditional Hawaiian rights and no action is necessary to protect those rights. There were no professional surveys conducted of the floral or faunal resources of the site, as the site was extensively planted in sugar cane in the past. The flora of the uncultivated portions of the site is dominated by fallow sugar cane and non-native plants. According to the applicant, there are no known federally listed or endangered flora species at the site. No known federally listed threatened or endangered faunal species are known to nest at or inhabit the project site. There is no record of a designated public access to the shoreline or mountain areas that traverses the property.