2025-01-16 Chuck Flaherty, Moku Loa Group, Sierra Group

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Excerpts from draft General Plan 2040 (released in 2019) PROMOTING ACTIVE LIVING THROUGH RECREATION , TRAILS , & PUBLIC ACCESS Public Access& Trails SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVE Number of public access sites created through acquisition or easement or enhanced with assistance from CZM funding or staff. POLICY 404. The County of Hawaii shall establish: public access to and along the shoreline to significant historic sites, public transit along the top of cliff, streams and other natural water courses, mauka trails, facilities, and access to sites for gathering, hunting, and other recreational purposes and in accordance with Hawaii County Code Chapter 34. [Rationale: Based on existing County Code 34, General Plan Policy 12.3 (1, m), Ka`u CDP Policy 81, and Hamakua CDP Policy 48] 405. Subdividers of six or more lots,parcels, units, or interests shall be required to dedicate land for public access for pedestrian travel from a public highway or street to the land below the high-water mark on any coastal shoreline or to areas in the mountains where there are existing facilities for hiking, hunting, fruit-picking, ti leaf sliding, and other recreational purposes, and where there are existing mountain trails. [Rationale: Based on existing HRS 46-6.5 and HCC 34-4(c)).] 406. Prior to disposing of, leasing, or transferring public lands, including public roads or trails, public access potentials shall be assessed, documented and protected if public access use is in the public's interest. [Rationale: Based on existing HRS Section 46-1.5, Hamakua CDP Policy 50, and General Plan 12.3 (n).] 407. Ensure that publicly owned historic trails and roads are properly identified, and consultation occurs to protect the public's interests. [Rationale: Based on the Highways Act of 1892, Hamakua CDP Policy 50, and the General Plan 12.3 (n).] 408. Alignment of coastal trails shall consider flexibility for realignment for sea level rise and other dynamic shoreline changes. [Climate Change] [Rationale: Based on current status of some impacted coastal areas and research relating to projected sea level rise impacts on coastal assets. See also California Coastal Commission Sea Level Rise Policy Guidance.] 409. Determine the location and ownership of historic trails and roads as early as possible in the land use application process. [Rationale: Based on identified challenges with ownership of historic trails and roads and the subsequent legal implications. See also General Plan Policy 13.2.3 (q)] 410. Where a subdivision is traversed by a natural water course, drainage way, channel, or stream, the Planning Director should require a pedestrian, equestrian, and/or bicycle path when the opportunity exists to connect to existing or future drainage or trail corridors. 411. Trails may also be used as emergency access routes, where appropriate.