2014-35.1 CERS Letter to DLNR June 27 2014

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Communication No. 2014-35.1 June 24, 2014 TO: William Aila Jr., Chairperson, Department of Land and Natural Resources FROM: Marlene Hapai, Chairperson, Puna Community Development Plan (PCDP) Connectivity and Emergency Response Subcommittee VIA: Patti Pinto, Chairperson, PCDP Action Committee RE: Communication No. 2014-26 Emergency Response Subcommittee of the Puna Community Development Plan Report on Prioritized Connectivity Locations, May 2014 Dear Mr. Aila, Our Puna Community Development Plan Subcommittee on Connectivity and Emergency Response met Tuesday, June 24, 2014 and read and discussed your letter. We would like to thank you for your comments on the proposed Connectivity Location 936. Your input is an essential part of the process of evaluating the efficacy of this connection point. Please be aware that the Subcommittee's report is a compilation of the suggestions received from communities and individuals all over Puna and reflects the desire of the people to have more than one way to safely access and evacuate their communities. We were aware at the time we solicited input from the Volcano Village and surrounding subdivisions that the suggested connection between Wright Road and Stainback Highway would have to cross protected lands and for that reason might not be a possible route. Our mandate was to report all of the connections suggested. Points of connectivity that have been suggested by the community will be further evaluated for feasibility and community support/opposition. You have clarified substantial reasons to avoid this route and your comments will become a permanent part of the Subcommittee's report. We will seriously consider moving this suggestion down on our priority list, will continue to accept community input and ask for any other suggestions to accomplish emergency evacuation within the Volcano area. Once again, thank you for your valuable input into this important community-driven process.