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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> The environmental impact of any single property application night be seen as minimal, <br /> but cumulatively the environmental impact of sequential applications over time could be <br /> extremely significant. There would be no way of truly assessing the actual ongoing <br /> adverse impact of higher density development on Kealakekua Bay and Marine Life <br /> Conservation District accurately. <br /> <br /> Coastal zone management has acquired significant data over the time since SMA 269 <br /> was issued for this area almost 20 years ago. It is now acknowledged that there are <br /> complex problems arising from: <br /> A) Non-Point Source Pollution, (NPS) <br /> B) Cumulative and Secondary Impacts (CSI); the combined impacts of human <br /> activities on land affecting coastal resources, and <br /> C) Submarine Groundwater Discharge, (SGD) <br /> It is difficult to identify and monitor these multiple factors which can damage the coastal <br /> water and ecosystems, such as coral reefs. These processes can cause gradual <br /> environmental degradation that escapes notice until a crisis event occurs. Procedures need <br /> to be developed, funded and adopted to assess and control NPS, CSI, and SGD hazards <br /> and environmental impact. Programs must be implemented to mitigate and prevent <br /> degradation of the coastal ecosystems. At present, there is no comprehensive program in <br /> West Hawaii. <br /> <br /> The lands affected by the proposed F-2 Amendment are nearly 100 acres lying above a <br /> coastal aquifer, (shown on attached map). These Pali uplands are host to very porous <br /> layers of lava rock, fractures, lava tubes, cracks and underground water paths. Rainfall <br /> and irrigation water percolates through the soil into groundwater, transporting <br /> contaminants ofNPS pollution,( e.g. wastewater, fertilizers, nitrate, oil, solvents, paint, <br /> mildewcide, termite treatments for building pads, and the myriad chemicals and <br /> pollutants that are toxic by=products of development.) Although the soil has some <br /> capacity to bind pollutants, it is limited. It will not filter everything. Eventually, <br /> groundwater carrying contaminants percolates into subterranean freshwater outflow <br /> causing pollution of the coastal waters. The coral reef ecosystems are among the most <br /> fragile of our coastal resources. The coral reef is nourished by fresh water outflow. <br /> Pollution of the water destroys the reef. <br /> <br /> A Review of Coastal Monitoring Data for Development in West Hawaii 2006, prepared <br /> for the County of Hawaii by the Marine Science Department at University of Hawaii it <br /> Hilo, states "Historical water quality analyses from Waikoloa and Hokuli'a revealed that <br /> nitrogen water quality parameters have significantly increased at both developments over <br /> the last 10 years.... <br /> Nutrient concentrations were more elevated at low salinities suggesting that nutrients <br /> originate from freshwater sources like fertilizers, irrigation water or waste water. <br /> These elevated nutrient concentrations may lead to algal blooms in West Hawaii"... <br /> This data illustrates the probability that polluting nutrients from wastewater, fertilizers, <br /> etc, due to development are appearing in the fresh water outflow entering our coastal <br /> waters in West Hawaii. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> 2 <br />