PD Recommendation Report Black Sand Beach (PL-SMA-2023-046)

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maintenance activities will generally be situated in the area mauka of the coastal section of Ninole Loop Road and Ninole Cove Place rights-of-way and away from the shoreline areas and the State Land Use Conservation area. No new structures are being proposed by this application within the proposed coastal preservation easement and managing the lands through removal of excessive overgrowth from the remainder of the project area should enhance the scenic beauty and open space character within the Project Site. The understory of overgrown non-native and invasive grasses and weeds is the target of cleanup; however, non-native vegetation is pervasive throughout the project site. Staff notes that the project is designed to fit in with the surrounding landscape and area and will be sited to minimize potential viewplane impacts from the ocean towards the mountains. Coastal Ecosystems, Marine Resources, Beaches: A primary portion of the proposed project involves the continued repair and maintenance of existing infrastructure systems (e.g., wastewater treatment system) that have been neglected for decades. Failure of these systems could have a significant adverse impact on the coastal ecosystem and as such the proposed project aims to minimize those impacts by upgrading and maintaining roads, water systems, wastewater systems, trails, and other necessary infrastructure such as electric. Land within the SLU Conservation District located along the shoreline will not be directly subjected to activities included in this proposed project. By not developing the Conservation District portion of the project site an in situ coastal buffer zone will be created, and when coupled with the existing County beach park, and preservation area will alleviate or mitigate any impacts to the coastal zone from this proposed project. Coastal Hazards: The majority of the proposed projects development are located within Flood Zone X which represents areas determined to be outside the 500 year flood plain; no new facilities are proposed along the coastal portions of the project site. The development will be subject to the requirements of Chapter 27 - Flood Control, of the Hawaii County Code in order to minimize the effects of coastal hazards. In addition, all buildings will be constructed in conformance with Uniform Building Code specifications. In the event of a tsunami or other major weather event, the evacuation of this site would be via Ninole Loop Road to Mamalahoa Highway -7-