.PD Background Report Black Sand Beach LLC (PL-SMA-2023-046)

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surrounding area between 2005-2006 in preparation for the un-built SeaMountain resort.The 2022 assessment concluded, similar to past findings, that nearly the entire property has experienced various types of ground disturbance and/or land use activities that have significantly modified the vegetation. The exceptions being the coastal margins in which major development has not impacted the area. The assessment determined vegetation types present within the project site include the golf course, Guinea grass, hoa haole forest, pasture, mixed non-native forest,gulch,resort remains, a'a margins, and coastal areas. The vegetative cover throughout the project site as a while can be said to be comprised of mostly alien and invasive species,particularly Christmas berry,koa haole,guinea grass,ironwood, and others. Only one plant species found with the project site,the loulu is listed as threatened are endangered and was found at multiple locations. The current assessment did not include coastal floral and faunal surveys as it is the intention of the applicant to avoid coastal development or to change of use along the coastal portions of the project area.Fauna species found within the project site by the current survey, as well as the one from 2005, found 18 bird species, with all by four(4) being common non-natives. Flocks of indigenous pacific kolea were observed, as well as the shorebird `ulili which was observed resting near tide- pools.It is noted that the Hawaiian goose(Nene)was not observed in the 2005 survey,but it was observed in the 2022 surveys,where they had taken up residence around the golf course ponds. It should be noted that the floral and faunal surveys concluded that most of the property has been heavily disturbed in the past, and besides preserving the loulu, other botanic-specific mitigation measures were recommended for this site. 38. Public Access: There are numerous public access points to the shoreline in this area. Black Sand beach has is easily accessible either by parking in a large,paved parking lot mauka of the old restaurant, or adjacent to the pond where there is limited parking. Second to that is the County Beach Park which has a parking area and full access along the shoreline to the black sand beach, or to the south. Camping is permitted via permit in this area. The proj ect does not aim to alter or change the current level of shoreline access in this area,by limiting the development to areas away from the shoreline and including project components designating a portion of the project area as a conservation or preservation area. Access to project sites will be limited to the current level as private property. -11-