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September 8, 2009 <br /> TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: <br /> l bred Thorne Abbott on August 4, 2004 as the Maui County Planning Department's Coastal <br /> Resources and Shoreline Planner. Thorne has consistently displayed a high degree of integrity, <br /> responsibility, ambition and commitment to conserving the islands' unique natural resources. <br /> Thorne has worked to protect public access to,and along, the shorelines of Maui, Molokai and <br /> Lanai,as well as to preserve their beautiful coastal views. He is effective at developing solutions <br /> for coastal landowners facing erosion crisis,flooding and coastal hazards because he has a <br /> thorough understanding of coastal policy and the permitting, environmental,and special <br /> management area(SMA)review process. <br /> Thorne has developed collaborative relationships between agencies to help conserve coastal <br /> resources, manage use conflicts, improve outcomes,and plan for sea level rise and other coastal <br /> hazards in an effective and efficient manner. He has served on the Governor-appointed Hawaii <br /> Ocean and Coastal Council and the Ocean Resource Management Plan Working Group. These <br /> groups authored and implemented the 2006 Ocean Resource Management Plan for the State of <br /> Hawaii which incorporates traditional Hawaiian management regimes. <br /> Over the past five years, Thorne's leadership improved the county's public outreach through a <br /> number of speaking engagements,press releases and conference presentations. He authored two <br /> brochures,a revised website, a new Beach Management Plan, oversight of a Sand Quantification <br /> Study and audit of the SMA permitting system;and wrote clear,understandable guidance and <br /> instructions for the public submitting coastal permit applications. He has presented numerous <br /> land use development projects,often large and complex,to each island's Planning Commission, <br /> and educated them on coastal processes,permitting and environmental review. He also <br /> facilitated the State's efforts to improve harbors, beach facilities and ocean recreation <br /> opportunities for the Bounty's three islands. <br /> Thorne served as a dedicated employee and sought innovative solutions to problems. He is <br /> highly knowledgeable in the environmental and coastal field and recognizes pragmatic <br /> opportunities to balance land use while creating public amenities. He works well independently <br /> and is deeply committed to protecting the aina (land and sea) for current and future generations. <br /> Thorne's achievements can be seen at his website www.coastalzone.com <br /> Thorne would be an excellent asset to any organization, and 1 am happy to give him my <br /> wholehearted endorsement. <br /> Sincerely, <br /> Michael W. Foley <br /> Maui County Planning Director, 2002-2006 <br />