REP PC 166 11/17/1998 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PC-166 November l7, 1998 of the project site and its relation to the surrounding area was conducted by the applicant. The view analysis indicates that the project area will not obstruct the view of the ocean from Queen Kaahumanu Highway. A floral survey of the project site was conducted by Char & Associates in February 1994. Of a total of 44 species inventoried, 28 are introduced or alien species; 2 are originally Polynesian introduction; and 14 are native. Typical vegetation expected to be found within the project site consist of scattered patches of plants on pahoehoe lava flows. The most abundant of the grasses is the fountain grass as well as two native subshrubs, the'ilima and 'uhaloa. Other shrubs found owasionally include pluehea, noni, indigo and nehe. Scattered kiawe trees of short-stature form only three to five percent of the vegetative cover. During a 1985 and a 1994 survey, a single'ohai plant, a proposed endangered species, was located at about the 120-foot elevation on a weathered pahoehoe lava flow with open scrub and scattered kiawe trees. The native caper or maiapilo and Fimbristylis hawaiiensis were found scattered throughout the scrub vegetation. The report concluded that development of the project area will result in the loss of existing vegetation; however, existing vegetation within the proposed Resource Management Area will be less affected, and the existing'ohai plant will be preserved and will not be impacted by the development. An avifaunal and feral mammal survey was conducted in February 1994 by Phillip L. Bruner. The survey did not locate any threatened or endangered species within the project site. The report concluded that "Due to the apparent absence of significant wildlife habitats within the project area, development of residential areas and golf courses is not expected to result in negative impacts to most area fauna." A baseline assessment of the marine environment fronting the project site was conducted by Steven Dollar in September 1993. Marine waters located off of the Kaupulehu coastline are classified as Class AA, which are waters which remain in their natural pristine state as nearly as possible. The assessment concluded that "Four existing factors suggest that cumulative development will not result in a significant negative impact upon The biological performance of the marine ecosystem." These are: 1) None include substantial or significant alterations to the shoreline or coastal resources. 2) The existing wave regime and healthy coral community together indicate the increased runoff and sedimentation is likely to have no significant impact upon marne conditions. Nutrient loading is unlikely given the low residence time of water along the Kaupulehu coast. In addition the existing coral communities are already adapted to wave stress and currently high levels of groundwater extrusion. 3) The naturally dry climate of the region and general lack of rainfall, combined with the flat topography of the area will greatly reduce the propensity for increased sheet flow and runoff, regardless of the cumulative area of hardscape surfaces proposed in the three development areas. 4) Modem golf course management is much more sophisticated than in times past Pesticides and herbicides are used sparingly and only by licensed personnel. The assessment did recognize one impact, that of shoreline modification due to increased shoreline access. The applicant will prepare a Shoreline Management Plan to mitigate biological resource depletion. An archaeological inventory survey of the property which covered approximately 2,184 acres was conducted by Paul H. Rosendahl, Ph.D., Inc. in two phases between 1991 and 1994. According to the final archaeological inventory survey report (1995), a total of l93 sites consisting of 660 discrete features were recorded. Of these sites, 45 are Located outside of the project . None of the sites identified within the project area are located on the Kaupulehu flow of 1800. Of the 193 sites identified, 56 are Page 5