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<br />Mr. Hirakami asked if HILT presently has any land that allows public access. Ms. Britt replied yes, <br />Waihee Preserve in Maui. Mr. Hirakami then asked who bears the liability. Mr. Bonar replied that if <br />HILT owns it the County is liable if they own it. <br /> <br />Mr. Hirakami asked if the County acquired a recreational access easement would they pick up the <br />liability. Mr. Bonar replied only if the County controls the public access. Ms. Self added that if the <br />County owns an easement they become liable and protected undland that <br />is un-improved they could be protected under Act 82 which is going to sunset in 2014. Mr. Bonar <br />in the last few months that have held an easement <br />holder liable if they have nothing to do with managing the access. <br /> <br />Ms. Nicholson asked Mr. Bonar if he could define the key differences between HILT and The Nature <br />Conservancy (TNC) in their separate desires to save lands. Mr. Bonar replied that TNC focuses on <br />relatively intact native eco-systems including coastal work. HILT works more on requests for public <br />access, scenic view-sheds, agriculture, cultural and historical. He stated that they do work and partner <br />together all the time along with The Trust for Public Lands as their missions are all similar. <br /> <br />Ms. Nicholson then asked Mr. Bonar that in this case for HILT and TNC, are there still taxes paid on <br />the property. Mr. Bonar replied that if they acquire properties in fee, they can <br />get an exemption from paying propvery <br />minimal. <br /> <br />Ms. Nicholson then asked why want to work with HILT or TNC to acquire <br />an easement so that taxes can still be generated from the property. Mr. Van Bergen replied that in a <br /> for recreational or agricultural purposes yet. Ms. <br />Self added that we have lots of easements granted to the County for various purposes and by state law <br />a public access easement is required if someone from the public comes in and applies for a Special <br />Management Area Permit. <br /> <br />Mr. Bonar stated that if the County owns the property in fee they have to pay for all expenses versus if <br />nsible. The benefits of partnering with HILT overall <br />is that the management costs of the property would be very minimal. <br /> <br />Ms. Nicholson asked Mr. Bonar for the properties that the Commission recommended in the report last <br />year, could they approach HILT for a possible partnership. Mr. Bonar replied yes, they do try to keep <br />in contact with the various counties. Mr. Van Bergen reminded Ms. Nicholson that it is the County <br />Council that authorizes the administration to proceed with negotiations not the Commission. <br /> <br />Mr. Hirakami asked Mr. Bonar about the letter from HILT <br />conservation easement <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />- 3 - <br />