RES 201 Draft 01 2012-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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WHEREAS, the Vacationland Land Trust parcels described herein include those areas referenced in the Hawai`i County General Plan; and WHEREAS, the acquisition of this property will help to mitigate environmental concerns in the area that are exacerbated by shoreline development, as referenced in Sections 2.3 and 2.4 of the Puna Community Development Plan; and WHEREAS, the Commission also noted the need to protect the threatened monk seals at the Wai `Opae Tidepools MLCD, which borders this property and noted the burial sites on this property; and WHEREAS, Section 2-218(a) of the Code states, in pertinent part, "Where there are multiple lands under consideration at any one time, priority shall be given to coastal lands and lands where matching funding is available to leverage the County contribution."; and WHEREAS, The Vacationland Land Trust property contains rare native lowland forest and is the site of the endemic Hawai`i Amakihi, federally endangered species such as the `Io (Hawaiian Hawk) and the `Ope`ape`a (Hawaiian Hoary Bat), federally threatened `A`o (Newell's Shearwater), and several native water birds such as 'Auku'u (Black-Crowned Night Heron) and `Ua`u Kani (Wedge-tailed Shearwater); and WHEREAS, this property would serve as a protective buffer for the watershed and preserve water quality for the Wai `Opae Tidepools MLCD; and WHEREAS, protecting the Wai `Opae Tidepools MLCD has positive economic benefits as it serves as a fish nursery for the second largest commercial fishery in the State; and WHEREAS, acquisition of the portion of property covered by Tax Map Key Nos. (3) 1- 4-002:022 and 051 will serve to protect access to Puna's coastline, conserve shoreline and marine sanctuaries, and ensure recreational opportunities for residents of Hawai`i and tourists; now, therefore, 2