2009-12-31 (2009 PONC Annual Report to the Mayor)

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Commission and Community Concerns (continued) ➢ The Commission has received comments from the public that public access routes in some areas are obstructed by adjoining landowners to discourage public use. The County and State should resolve these problems when they are reported by the public. ➢ The Commission recommends that the County should complete a comprehensive inventory of all "old government" roads and trails so these can be identified and used by the public as may be deemed appropriate. ➢ The Commission should familiarize itself with the practicalities, benefits, and liabilities associated with various easements to accomplish the Commission's goals. ➢ The Commission received comments and concerns from the public regarding the temporary suspension of allocation and deposits to the Public Access, Open Space and Natural Resources Preservation Fund (Fund). Management Concerns There is continuing concern regarding management of acquired properties. In most cases, the County has insufficient funds and /or personnel to take on management of said properties. The Corporation Counsel has advised this Commission that Section 2 -218 of the County Code does not allow the Fund to be used for management. Although County Council members may transfer a portion of their annual discretionary funds to the appropriate County department to fund management plans for property acquisitions in their districts, the Commission recommends that a formal funding process be established to support management plans and long term property maintenance. These plans could be turned over to qualified groups for implementation. Groups and programs could include but are not limited to the following: ➢ 501(c)(3) non - profit organizations; ➢ Park volunteer corps. — a group that would be developed to provide maintenance for specific properties, similar to a work -force program like Civilian Conservation Corps.; ➢ Heritage stewards — for those parcels where resources are such that an on -site steward may be the best option; ➢ Hawai`i County Department of Parks and Recreation — Parks Community Partnership Program & Friends of the Park Program. Next Steps ➢ In the interest of reducing cost, the Commission has scheduled six meetings alternating between Kona and Hilo in 2010. ➢ Consider scheduling 2010 regional public meetings. ➢ Publicize meeting schedule and encourage contributors to submit completed suggestion forms. ➢ Continue to explore funding sources for land /entitlement acquisitions. ➢ Continue to explore funding sources for land maintenance and management. ➢ Continue to identify potential partnerships with other governmental agencies, non - profit organizations, and private entities for land /entitlement acquisitions. -4-