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J+tV OF <br /> Lee E.Lord <br /> Afanggmg Director <br /> Mitchell D.Roth �: '• <br /> ifavor <br /> • s�_;• Robert H.Command <br /> �1��: —+0.:•P� Depia .1fanagmg Director <br /> % autifV of( tfual`i <br /> (Offirr of fhp,�Un ur <br /> 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • Hilo,Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 Fax(808)961-6553 <br /> KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg C • Kailua-Kona,Hawai'i 96740 <br /> (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 <br /> Seventh Amended Traffic Emergency Zone Declaration And <br /> Seventh Waipi'o Valley Road Declaration Of Emergency <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi'o Valley Road is a four-wheel drive County road located on the <br /> northern Hamakua Coast of Hawai'i Island. The road is narrow and winds down the steep <br /> hillside of the south valley wall. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi'o Valley Road is the only vehicular ingress and egress for Waipi'o <br /> Valley. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi'o Valley Road is used by residents of Waipi'o Valley, farmers who <br /> transport agricultural products grown and harvested in Waipi'o Valley, Hawaii County <br /> residents, visitors, and authorized tour operators. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi'o Valley Road presents significant safety risks. For example, it lacks <br /> shoulders or adequate troughs to catch falling rocks and debris. The road is slippery, particularly <br /> after heavy rains, and adequate stormwater infrastructure is lacking. Some portions of the road <br /> are unpassable for two vehicles. Limited sight distance along the road hampers driver ability to <br /> safely navigate oncoming traffic and pedestrians in the roadway. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi'o Valley Road descends about 800 feet in elevation over <br /> approximately 4100 feet. Rock outcropping and vegetation overhang the road. <br /> WHEREAS, Waipi'o Valley Road can experience significant amounts of runoff, <br /> particularly after heavy rains. Historically, the County closes the road following periods of <br /> heavy rain and to clear rock, soil and vegetation which has fallen on and across the road. <br /> WHEREAS, a slope failure occurred in March 2019 following heavy rainfall and high <br /> streamflow associated with Hurricane Lane. The primary slide was approximately 500 feet tall <br /> and 70 feet wide. Additional upslope landslide events occurred in April 2018 and February <br /> 2019. <br /> WHEREAS, on or about April 2, 2020, the County hired a consultant, Hart Crowser, to <br /> conduct a Preliminary Geotechnical Engineering Evaluation. <br /> County of Hawari is an Fqual Opportumh Provider and Emplo%er <br />