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

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H. COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT The requested Special Permit, if approved, will not be contrary to Chapter 205A, Hawaii Revised Statues, relating to Coastal Zone Management. The Project Site is not situated within the Special Management Area, being located at least 2.9 miles from the nearest shoreline and is not subject to any coastal hazard nor anticipate to have any adverse impact upon coastal resources such as coastal recreational and marine resources, coastal ecosystems or the public use and recreational use of any beach. There is no record of a designated public access that traverses the Project Site. As the site has been extensively altered by past grading and surface quarrying activities, and subsequently invaded by non-native vegetation dominated by a heavily disturbed Albizia forest over a significant portion of the Project Site that has not been left barren by past surface quarrying and grading activities. Given the that the Project Site is absent of any archaeological features due to its intensively disturbed condition, it can also be reasonably concluded that native Hawaiian cultural practices are not being exercised within the Project Site. There are no caves, springs, pu`u, native forest groves or other natural features. Combined with the highly disturbed vegetation that is dominated by invasive, weedy species and secondary growth in most areas, the Project Site does not contain the quality of resources that would be important for native gathering. The FEA concludes that, "While the gathering of natural resources from the Pana`ewa forest remains an important part of the cultural practices of this community, no explicit reference was made to such practices occurring in the actual area proposed for the quarry license, which has experienced extreme disturbance, is dominated by invasive trees, and other than isolated `ohi`a and hala trees does not contain other native trees or `awa. Because of the proposed location outside intact `ohi`a forest, it is not anticipated that the proposed quarry project will impact these cultural practices, based on the information obtained through the consultation efforts." Therefore, it is not anticipated that the request will have any adverse impact on cultural or historical resources in the area. Historical industrial-type of uses within the immediate area include landfill and transfer station operations, noisy or potentially dangerous recreational uses, baseyard operations and a number of past and on-going quarry operations makes this particular request in this particular location highly suitable. As the Applicant's existing quarry is located immediately adjacent to the Project Site, the transition of existing quarry operations onto the Project Site will be practically seamless from an operational standpoint as well as its effects upon existing public infrastructure and upon surrounding uses. Therefore, this request is supportive of the County's efforts towards properly managing development. Finally, in terms of the public participation objective, this is generally a public agency function. This is achieved through the Marine and Coastal Zone Management Advisory Group (MACZMAG) and the public hearing process required pursuant to the Planning Commission's Rules and County Council's meetings on this application. Notices 18 age