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Page 1 of 2 <br /> Murashige, Laura <br /> From: Cameron McNaughton [cameronm@soest.hawaii.edu] :a ' ' <br /> l)Li <br /> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2007 9:45 AM <br /> To: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us <br /> Cc: Yagong, Dominic; Ikeda, Donald; Yoshimoto, J; Higa, Stacy; Naeole, Emily; Jacobson, Bob; Ford, <br /> Brenda; Pilago, K. Angel; Hoffmann, Pete; Ms. Lianne Marie McNaughton <br /> Subject: Punalu'u and Resolution 169-07 <br /> Dear Council Members, <br /> By way of this email our family would like to express our support for councilmember Jacobson's <br /> <br /> Keolalani Hanoa Resolution (#169-07). <br /> I am a PhD candidate in the University of Hawaii Department of Oceanography with an undergraduate <br /> degree in Environmental Engineering. My wife, Lianne, is a sea turtle researcher and fisheries biologist <br /> with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Since arriving in Hawaii in 2000 <br /> we have visited Punalu'u many times. <br /> As I'm sure the council members are aware, Punalu ~u represents a unique interface between freshwater <br /> and saltwater ecosystems. Transitional zones like these are referred to as ecotones and are typically <br /> more diverse than either of the ecosystems individually because they contain flora and fauna from both <br /> ecosystems. In addition to protecting this unique location I would urge the council members to consider <br /> studying the source of Punalu'u groundwater so that the "headwaters" or "infiltration zone" can be <br /> properly mapped and protected. This request stems from the fact that if agricultural runoff (phosphates <br /> & nitrates), urban runoff (detergents, lawn and gazden pesticides and herbicides) or transportation sector <br /> runoff (heavy metals & petroleum products) are allowed to contaminate the groundwater it will render <br /> protection of the coastal zone less effective. <br /> Though it is true that groundwater takes many years (decades even) to reach the ocean, protecting <br /> Punalu'u will require along-term approach modelled on the Ahupua'a system. It is not sufficient to <br /> protect just a strip of land along the coast where freshwater meets the sea. We must also endeavour to <br /> protect the source of those waters, wherever they may be, along the slope of Mauna Loa. As <br /> development pressures mount, early protection will increase the region's "natural capital", enhancing not <br /> only Punalu'u's ecological significance but also its appeal. <br /> I thank you for your time and would be happy to consult with any members of Hawai' is County Council <br /> in order to clarify my testimony or in order to provide guidance on scientific matters. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Cam, Lianne and EZ (22 months) <br /> Cameron S. McNaughton, MSc. <br /> Earthstronaut <br /> Department of Oceanography <br /> University of Hawai' i at Manoa 3 r'~'Q • <br /> 1000 Pope Rd. CIN11m' NO. <br /> Ref. To• ~r°1OW eurii;t ~ <br /> Ref. Date SEP 19 2007 <br /> 9/18/2007 <br /> <br />