Agency Review Comments Combined UPDATED 03.21.2018

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DLNR DOFAW Hamakua Community Development Plan Although this plan mentions that natural disasters, include wildfires are a consistent threat, it fails to specify wildfire risk reduction approaches such as: 1) Voluntary or non -regulatory mitigation measures and tools, including establishing Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPPs) forthisarea and working towards gaining Firewise recognition for communities in this area. In order for communities to be eligible for funds available through the Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Grant Program, the area must have an approved CWPP. U.S. Forest Service funds to reduce communities' risk from wildland fire within the WUI are available through the WUI Grant Program and are awarded annually through a competitive process with emphasis on: 1) Hazardous fuel reduction in the WUI; 2) Information and education; and 3) Planning. 2) Involuntary or regulatory mitigation measures, including land use laws, subdivision design regulations, home ignition zone ordinances, and WUI Fire codes. These planning and regulatory tools can be used to provide better wildfire protection for new residential development. Land use planners and policymakers as well as community members who deteniiine where and how growth occurs play an important role in safeguarding Hawaii's emerging communities from wildfires. Although this plan addresses land use and community infrastructure goals by concentrating future developments in the existing towns, villages, and subdivisions, it fails to specify that reducing urban sprawl can curb future growth from occurring in areas that are at higher -risk of wildfires. Risk reduction for new communities can be achieved by forming a wildfire planning policy that aligns land use and planning decisions with safe growth. However, the State of Hawaii does not have a wildfire planning policy that addresses growth management in respect to wildfire risk. This is an opportunity for Hamakua to use land use and settlement patterns as a wildfire risk reduction approach and advocate for safe growth. This plan also addresses the protection of watersheds, native wildlife, and natural ecosystems. Wildfires in Hawaii are a threat to these types of natural resources Mauka to Makai. Over 98% of wildfires in Hawaii are human -caused. Furthermore, the percentage of land area burned annually in Hawaii exceeds the national average, and some years surpasses the 12 most fire - prone western states. Human -caused wildfires that occur in the WUI, especially in residential areas near native ecosystems and forested watersheds, concern natural resource managers. Human -caused wildfires that started near communities, but then spread toward and burned valuable conservation areas have occurred in Hawaii. This plan does not specify actions at the county level that would ensure development uses, including land use and settlement patterns, are compatible with reducing wildfire risk to Hamakua's conservation areas, including watersheds, native wildlife, and natural ecosystems. Comments generated from the Agency Guide of the CDP: Policy 43: We respectively request the inclusion of DOFAW as part of the watershed management goals and planning for collaboration. The Division is a major partner with the Mauna Kea Watershed Alliance, and manages significant forested watershed lands within the Hamakua District that would benefit from additional collaboration with the county and community.