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z;.e . ~dl'~ <br /> TRL~:ST <br /> Post Office Box 895 <br /> Honaunau, HI 96726 <br /> 808-328-9635 <br /> March 15, 2005 ~ ~ ' <br /> To: Hawaii County Council <br /> From: Jocelyn B. Garovoy, Esq. <br /> RE: Testimony in support of allocating funds for land conservation - <br /> I submit this testimony as a member of the Board of the Hawaii Island Land Trust, <br /> formerly known as the Kona Land Trust. <br /> Every year millions of dollars of Federal funds are available for land acquisition <br /> and conservation, but those funds must be matched by local funds to be drawn to Hawaii. <br /> By dedicating a percentage of the current budget to land conservation, the County can <br /> draw millions of Federal matching dollars to Hawaii County and allow our state and <br /> County governments and non-profit conservation groups to protect land for the future. <br /> Here on Hawaii Island, critical opportunities to protect rare ecological and cultural <br /> sites continue to arise as the Island's population grows and development increases. One <br /> specific example of a special place that local residents are working actively to protect is the <br /> Honu'apo tidal estuary. Honu'apo is valued as an important and rare ocean access on the <br /> rugged Ka'u coast, a community gathering place, and the site of historic Hawaiian <br /> fishponds. The land around Honu'apo is currently in escrow, to be sold to a mainland <br /> developer if funds are not raised to secure it for continued public use. State and County <br /> dollars can and should help to fund this and other projects around the Island where it is <br /> apparent that the best outcome is continued public use of the land and/or protection of its <br /> <br /> natural resources. <br /> Considering the varied landscapes that make the Big Island so unique, it is evident <br /> <br /> designated county funds will be instrumental in helping to retain the character of Hawaii <br /> Island as its population and demand for resources continues to grow. <br /> Please consider this need as you deliberate over the County's budget. Mahalo for <br /> <br /> the opportunity to submit this testimony. <br /> Jocelyn B. Garovoy, Esq. <br /> Board Member <br /> Hawaii Island Land Trust <br /> Comm. No. ' <br /> Ref. To: PtesenN <br /> R;f. L`ate MAR 2 9 205 <br /> <br />