PD BACKGROUND REPORT (PL-SPP-2022-000012)

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5. Coastal Zone Management, HRS, Chapter 205A The entire State of Hawai'i lies within the Coastal Zone Management area. The intent of the Coastal Zone Management Program is to guide and regulate public and private uses in the coastal zone management area with respect to recreational resources, historic resources, public access to the shoreline, scenic and open space resources, coastal ecosystems, marine resources, economic uses, coastal hazards, managing development, public participation, and beach protection. 6. Special Management Area (SMA) The Special Management Area is a part of the Coastal Zone Management Program that is regulated by the County, established to promote the State's policy to preserve, protect, and where possible, to restore the natural resources of the coastal zone of Hawai'i. Therefore, special controls on development within the area along the shoreline are necessary to avoid permanent loss of valuable resources and the foreclosure of management options, and to ensure that adequate public access is provided to public- owned or used beaches, recreation areas, and natural reserves, by dedication or other means. The Project Site is located approximately 2.9 miles from the nearest coastline and at least 1.9 miles from the closest SMA boundary. 7. Integrated Resources and Solid Waste Management Plan (IRSWM) - 2019 Due to the close proximity of the Hilo Transfer Station, the sort station, green waste facility and recently closed landfill, the IRSWM previously identified existing operational and abandoned quarry sites as a potential location for future expansion of the South Hilo landfill. However, the 2019 IRSWM update noted that a study of this possible expansion into nearby abandoned quarry sites was deemed unfeasible due to the proximity of the Hilo International Airport, among other considerations. Solid waste residuals that are not recycled are transported to the West Hawaii Sanitary Landfill at Pu`uanahulu in North Kona. D. DESCRIPTION OF PROPERTY AND SURROUNDING AREA 1. Proiect Site The 37.822-acre Project Site maintains a roughly T-shape as it attempts to work around an existing quarry adjacent to the southwest operated by the Applicant as well as avoiding an existing forest of `Ohi`a trees with a sparse understory of Uluhe fern that is located to the southeast (see Figure 3-Aerial Site Plan). Conditions within the Project Site include past stockpiling and baseyard activities within its eastern portion that left the land partially barren with the remainder consisting primarily of an albizia and weedy forest with few native trees. The accompanying Environmental Assessment interestingly noted that the Project Site was surface- quarried in the year after the 1960 tsunami to provide fill for the Kaiko`o area of Hilo, where the State and County buildings now stand. 7 Page