Laserfiche WebLink
having very severe limitations that make them unsuited for cultivation and that <br /> restrict their use largely to pasture or range,woodland, or wildlife. <br /> 6) Land Study Bureau soil rating: The overall master productivity rating for the soils <br /> of the subject property is Class D,which is described as"poor". <br /> 7) Existing drainage ways or improvements: There is an existing County drainage <br /> ditch along the entire southern boundary of the subject property. The proposed <br /> project will adhere to County and State requirements for disposing of runoff and <br /> addressing drainage concerns. <br /> 8) Air/noise/water quality: The air quality of the subject property is primarily affected <br /> by pollutants derived from the volcanic emissions from the ongoing Kilauea eruption. <br /> The only other source of air pollution affecting the project site is vehicle exhaust <br /> emissions from surrounding roadways. The ambient air quality of the project area <br /> meets all federal and state standards as evidenced by its designation as an <br /> "attainment"area by the State Department of Health,Clean Air Branch. <br /> Existing noise levels in the vicinity of the subject property are typical of a residential <br /> area. Noise studies done for the Hilo International Airport indicate that residential <br /> areas in Hilo have background ambient noise levels from 45 to 55 Day Night <br /> Average Sound Level(DNL). The major noise generator in the vicinity of the project <br /> area is the Hilo International Airport, which is situated approximately 2 miles away. <br /> Noise contour maps developed for the airport indicate that the project area is beyond <br /> the limits of noise impact contours which range from 75 DNL down to 55 DNL. <br /> Based on general observations at the project site, the site is not subject to current or <br /> projected noise levels that exceed 65 DNL (day-night average sound level, in <br /> decibels). <br /> The closest water body to the project area is the Pacific Ocean,approximately 1.5 <br /> miles east of the project site. As such,the proposed boundary amendment and change <br /> of zone is not anticipated to have any impact on water quality. <br /> 9) Existing archaeological, cultural or historic sites on National Register or Hawaii <br /> Register: An archaeological assessment was prepared by Haun&Associates in 2008 <br /> for the original 15.948-acre parcel which included the subject property. The State <br /> Department of Land and Natural Resources—Historic Preservation Division(SHPD) <br /> accepted the above-described archaeological assessment as final in a letter dated <br /> November 11, 2008. The letter states, in part,the following: "No archaeological sites <br /> or features were identified by the survey and no Land Commission Awards are <br /> present within the parcel based on a review on tax maps. No further archaeological <br /> work is recommended based on the negative survey results." A complete copy of the <br /> Archaeological Assessment along with the letter from the SHPD is attached as <br /> Appendix B. <br /> 10)Existing floral/faunal resources(any native or exotic plants; any listed or <br /> candidate for endangered species): An Environmental Assessment(EA)was <br /> prepared for the original 15.948 acre parcel in 2008. The U.S. Department of the <br /> Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service (DOI-F&WS) submitted a comment letter dated <br /> December 9,2008 as part of the preparation process of the EA. The comment letter <br /> 8 <br />