COM 0349.159 2006-2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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On Point two: We think our shoreline plan increases public access and provides the community with a better place and facilities for community activities. We aze expanding the current beach pazk from 7 acres to 17 acres and will be dedicating it to the county free. We aze creating Two new pazking areas, improving two existing pazking azeas and expanding the pazking at the existing pazk. We aze providing a continuous coastal pedestrian pathway with the intention of making it ADA accessible if possible and adding two-three new public restroom facilities. We have offered to improve existing pazk facilities and to work with the County and potential land trusts in maintaining these facilities. We think these plans will create a public shoreline that will enhance recreational activities and improve public shoreline access. This is only possible if there is a viable project generating the resources needed to actively manage the shoreline azea. On Point Three: The Sea Mountain site is not pristine. The site is part of a partially developed resort master plan and our plans aze consistent with this intention. The General Plan still designates the site for resort, commercial and residential development. The zoning is in place. There are existing homes, a golf course and an aging infrastructure. This point of view is also false from a historic perspective because Kau has been a place of settlement from pre-contact times. For neazly a hundred years it was also hope to commercial and industrial activities related ranching and the sugaz industry. The raikoad trestle track, the wazehouse and pier foundation and other remnants of this era are still visible on site. Our plan will not threaten pristine, coastal ecosystems or the endangered native species in it into extinction. The increasing human activities that threaten the azea will continue whether this project is approved or not. While the land is beautiful much of this is an illusion of endemism because 80-90% of the landscape is already covered with invasive alien vegetation. Punalu'u is not the last bastion of protection for these species. It is not like old growth forests protecting the spotted owl or the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove. While there is much of value to be protected and some may not like to heaz it, it is not even the best habitat for many of these species. It is a degraded habitat with invasions like salvina molests filling the ponds. Finally, we think we will actually improve the environment and environmental stewazdship in many ways. Our shoreline zone will be protected and managed for long- term sustainability. Resources will be placed to monitor and manage the resources. We have partnered with Jean Michel Cousteau's Ocean Futures group to provide guidance on these issues and prepaze educational programs related to the environment. In the long run it will be an educated public that will protect the resources more than any preservation plan and we feel we aze well along this path. As human populations increase, pure preservation becomes more burdensome and impractical. Active stewazdship is the really sustainable way and stewazdship takes understanding, commitment, and resources. We will work cooperatively with respected and trusted organizations to protect the resource. While some may disagree, we too wish to protect the environment.