2010-01-11 Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Commission Minutes

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The FRPP focuses on those lands with soils that are considered Prime Farmland Soils as well as soils that are designated as unique or that have a statewide importance. The GRP emphasizes on agricultural lands best used for grazing which are steep enough, that should tillage occur, erosion would be a hazard. Both FRPP & GRP provides matching funds to State, Tribal, or local governments and non - governmental organizations with existing farm and ranchland protection programs to purchase conservation easements. The producers are required to adhere to a conservation plan which is designed to address various resource concerns that affect soil, water, air, plant and animal quality and or quantity. He concluded by noting that these programs offered by NRCS have eligibility requirements including the producers Adjusted Gross Income, whether they are in compliance with the 1985 Farm Bill which has highly erodible land and wetland conservation requirements, be privately owned and have a matching source available. He thanked the Commission for their time and hope that these programs will be beneficial to applicants in the future. Ms. Springer thanked Mr. Whitt for his presentation and asked if native forests or shrub -lands are eligible under historic or cultural resources. Mr. Whitt replied that if native shrub -lands are good for grazing they could potentially look at GRP; however for forest lands the Healthy Forest Reserve Program would be applicable. Mr. Flores asked if there were any projects in Hawaii. Mr. Whitt replied that there was two FRPP in Oahu, one in Molokai and one in Maui. Mr. Flores asked which partners were involved. Mr. Whitt replied the land trusts using Legacy Land Funds and the Maui Open Space Fund. Mr. Flores asked if the funds are only for easements. Mr. Whitt replied yes. Mr. Flores asked what the time -line for applying is. Mr. Whitt replied that you can sign up anytime of the year however the ranking deadline depends on when it's received. Ms. Self asked who holds the interest in the easements. Mr. Whitt replied that the holder would be the State, County, non - profit and /or private land trust. Ms. Self then asked if there are any liability issues. Mr. Whitt said that they require indemnification language in the easement document to protect the MRCS. Mr. Van Bergen asked if the two programs can be split 50/50. Mr. Whitt replied that the FRPP has been used the most but up until the last farm bill passed in 2008 there wasn't any funding for the GRP. Mr. Doug Sensenig of the Hawaii Island Land Trust introduced himself and noted that they are working to get the word out about these programs to landowners and also to make the County more aware of these programs which could be used for leveraging. -2-