Koholalele Hamakua EA PBR Final TMK No. 4-2-005:001

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HAMAKUA LAND SALE: KOHOLALELE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures The Site is not exceptionally vulnerable to natural hazards. Compliance with building code requirements should ensure any new construction should meet earthquake and hurricane standards, especially since the County is in the process of updating the building code to modernize these hazard - resistance standards. 3.7 FLORA A botanical survey of the Site was conducted between October 20 -22, 2009 with the objectives to document plant species on the property; document the status and abundance of each species; determine the presence or likely occurrence of any native flora, particularly any that are Federally listed as Threatened or Endangered; and, determine if the project area contains any special habitats which if lost or altered might result in a significant negative impact on the flora in this part of the island. The Botanical Survey Report was a component of a larger Flora and Fauna Study Assessment and is attached as Appendix A. Most of the Site (approximately 80% of the land area) is dominated by two plant species, Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and common ironwood (Casuarina equisetfolia). These plants have rapidly colonized the former cane fields since they went out of agricultural production 15 years ago. Three other plants were reported to be "common" on the site; `ohi`a lehua, (Metrosideros polyfnorpha), loquat (Eriobortya japonica) and rough maidenhair fern (Adiantum hispidulum). The `ohi`a was found in the Site's gulches and scattered ridge tops, the loquat was found primarily in gulches and the maidenhair fern were found both in the gulches and in the ironwood forests. In total, 122 plant species were recorded, of these, 18 were native species including nine that are endemic to Hawaii. None of the native species are rare and none are federally listed or protected. A complete list of recorded plants is included with the Flora and Fauna Assessment (Appendix A). Of the non- native plant species found on site, none are of special conservation interest or concern. The Botanical Survey Report findings indicated that the entire site showed signs of pig rooting. The Report found that, "this was especially true in the gulches where every square foot appeared to be heavily rooted. This rooting had the twin effects of severely limiting the diversity of the more delicate native understory species, irhile at the same time aiding the spread of aggressive, shade - tolerant Needs such as the stratirberry guava." Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures No plant species listed or proposed as threatened or endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or the Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resources were found. The property has been heavily altered by sugar cane cultivation, and in the last 15 years has been degraded by invasive plant species and feral pigs. Due to the condition of the land, there are no reasons from a botanical standpoint to preserve and keep the Site in public ownership. The best examples of remnant strips of native forest are found in the Site's gulches, which are the areas least likely to be disturbed by any future agricultural use. 3 -14