Waipi'o Valley (Focused Discusstion) Supplementary Handout

Home

a special area. This policy, to create an overlay zone, would entail County Code regulations to protect the Valley's cultural and historical resources through measures such as vehicular access management measures, establishing scenic vistas, resource protection, etc. One existing tool that could be used to further viewshed protections is Special Management Area overlay. Currently the SMA boundary in Waipi'o extends mauka from the shoreline to the bottom of the Valley walls. The area west and southwest of the Valley is within the Forest Reserve and Special Management Area, and, therefore, has limited development potential. However, the Valley rim on the east and southeast sides are within the A -40a Zone District, with the potential for residential and farm dwelling units. Generally, because the CZM objectives and policies are so comprehensive, the SMA is the most resource -protective land use policy overlay. CZM policies address recreational resources, historic resources, scenic and open space resources, coastal ecosystems, coastal hazards, management of development, beach protection, and marine resources. The SMA process allows the County to apply reasonable conditions to a proposal to mitigate potential impacts. This policy would apply the SMA process beyond the Valley rim. Determining where exactly the SMA boundary should be could be done via preparing a viewshed plan and siting guidelines for the southeast and eastern portions of the valley rim. This policy action is supported by existing General Plan Policy 7.3 (b) "(b) Develop and establish view plane regulations to preserve and enhance views of scenic or prominent landscapes from specific locations, and coastal aesthetic values." See also Section 4.5 Preserve Scenic Areas and Viewsheds for more policies relating to protecting viewsheds throughout the Planning Area. For the Waipi'o Valley Stream Management Plan, see here: http://el.erdc.usace.army.mil/workshops/08may-wots/2- %20Ku bo%20-%20Wa i pio%20Va l ley. pdf For more information, see pages 17, 189, 177, 223-269 in Appendix V4A. Policy 55: Provide a property tax credit for the perpetual conservation of taro systems on private land (i.e. agricultural, conservation or cultural easements) for owners and lessees who enter into long term agreements (20 years) to rehabilitate taro systems to active use. Rationale: In 2008, the Hawai'i State Legislature passed Act 211, establishing the Taro Security and Purity Task Force (TSPTF). The Task Force was charged with finding solutions to the problems facing taro production, taro farmers and taro markets. This policy is consistent with one of their recommendations for improving protections to taro -growing lands and serves to protect taro as a special resource from both an agricultural and a cultural perspective. This policy is consistent with the Taro Security and Purity Task Force recommendation to create incentives for active rehabilitation of taro -growing lands that result in taro lands protection. For more information, see pages 233-239 in Appendix V4A. Policy 56: Work with farmers, landowners, community organizations and agency partners (Army Corps of Engineers, State Commission on Water Resources Management (CWRM), State Department of Health, State Historical Preservation Division) to create a simplified stream maintenance permitting process for Wailoa Stream and other streams in the Waipi'o Valley. Rationale: Several studies that have been conducted in Waipi'o Valley have identified the need for a stream maintenance program to ensure sufficient conditions for the cultivation of taro as well as Draft Hamakua CDP hamakua@hawaiicounty.gov www.hamakuacdp.info