Kapulena Hamakua EA PBR Final TMK No. 4-7-005 and 006

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KAPULENA AGRICULTURAL PARK FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT 3.6 NATURAL HAZARDS Natural hazards that could impact the property include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, hurricanes, and flooding. The island of Hawaii is associated with volcanic eruption and earthquakes. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has developed lava -flow hazard zones with a numerical rating of 1 to 9, with I having the greatest risk. The site is within Lava -Flow Hazard Zone 8, which indicates that only a few percent of this area has been covered by lava in the past 10,000 years (USGS, 1992). The State of Hawai `i has been affected twice in the past two decades by devastating hurricanes — Hurricane `Iwa, in 1982, and Hurricane `Iniki in 1992. The most recent series of earthquakes, with magnitudes of 6.7 and 6.0, occurred at Kiholo Bay on October 15, 2006. While it is difficult to predict these natural occurrences, it is reasonable to assume that future events could occur. The project area, as the rest of the island and state, is vulnerable to the destructive winds and torrential rains associated with hurricanes. Honoka`a High School, located approximately 5 miles east of the project site, is a designated Emergency Evacuation Center for the area (State Civil Defense, 2007). According to the Flood Insurance Rate Map (FIRM), the project site is designated as Zone X, outside of the 500 -year floodplain (see Figure 7). The site is located approximately a mile from the shoreline and is outside of the tsunami evacuation area. Potential Impacts and Mitigation Measures The proposed agricultural park is not expected to exacerbate any risks or exposure to hazardous conditions. 3.7 FLORA A botanical survey of the site was conducted between September 28 and October 1, 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 an 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 incorporated into a Flora and Fauna Study Assessment and is attached as Appendix B. Most of the site (approximately 90% of the land area) is dominated by two plant species, Guinea grass and common ironwood. These plants have rapidly colonized the former cane fields since they went out of agricultural production 15 years ago. The report describes the Guinea grass as "nearly impenetrable" and the ironwood trees as, "dense, 30 — 50 foot tall stands ". However, other plant species were identified on the site, primarily surviving in the many gulches which dissect the property. During the survey, 21 native species were identified, including nine species that are endemic to Hawaii. Those native and endemic plants that were identified are relatively common and none are listed as rare. Other non - native plant species found on site are of no 3 -15