Communication No. 2019-09- KCDP Amendments PD Review

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Communication No. 2019-09 HNHP database includes four categories: Natural Communities, Speci al Vertebrates, Special Invertebrates, and Special Plants. The HNHP database includes only rare occurrences. A natural community is considered rare and imperiled if it is known from 20 or fewer localities or if it covers less than 2,000 acres in the worl d. For plants and animals, the HNHP defines taxon as rare if records indicate that its current distribution or abundance is limited, i.e. it is known from 20 or fewer locations or fewer than 3,000 individuals have been observed in the wild.) 4.3.2 Overall Strat egy People in Kona have a growing ecological awareness and respect for their diverse resources one that must be translated into a commitment to protect and manage these resources. This commitment will only be implemented by policies that are based on k nowledge about our diverse resources as well as on humility that we do not know the full consequences of all th at we do and err on the side of caution (precautionary principle), and on the understanding that all of us must assume some responsibility to do our part. The following strategy emerged from this attitude: 1. Managing our Impacts. The reasons to minimize hu man impacts on natural resources are many, while many are yet to be known. Ecosystem services upon which our survival depends (e.g., clean drink clearly in the the intrinsic value and interconnectedness of all natural systems should be expanded upon and protected through education and intelligent land use policy. The Kona CDP intended to limit both urban and rural sprawl and also serves to provide direct benefits toward managing our resources. a. Recognizing the Multi - Value Importance of the Mauka Lands. Before human contact, a band of wet native forest t hrived, extending from sea level to 6,000 feet in elevation (Atlas of Edition). Beside being a habitat for native species, this for cleared for pasture or other purposes, much of the rainfall that would have been absorbed now runs off the land surfac e. Recognizing the value of these mauka lands for its habitat, groundwater recharge, and stormwater management values, the objectives are to encourage the preservation of the forest that remains, the restoration of forest lands, as well as the innovative restoration of some of the innate functions of the cleared lands (e.g., detention basins that mitigate surface flow and promote groundwater recharge). b. Turning Stormwater Management Into An Asset. If the mauka lands are able to mitigate some of the surface stormwater runoff, there is still a challenge in managing stormwater runoff because and undefined drainageways. The objective is to identify the drainageways where the major stormflows would be directed, provide a buffer to the se drainageways to account for our imperfect knowledge, and to design these drainageways to function as recreat ional or open space amenities (e.g., linear parks). c. Not Exceeding the Limits of the Groundwater Resource. Compared to the wet, windward side of - level groundwate r; the extent of which as a resource is uncertain. The objectives are to conserve water, encourage alternative sources (e.g., reclaimed wastewat er) for non - potable uses, and ensure adequate capacity of the County water system to serve the preferred growth areas set forth 32