Agency Review Comments Combined UPDATED 03.21.2018

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DLNR DOFAW Hamakua Community Development Plan Policy 44:-DOFAW strongly supports the encouragement of native and noninvasive planting alternatives for landscaping and restoration projects; however, we recommend utilizing the Hawaii -Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) available through Plant Pono (http://planipono.orgt) instead of Hawaii Administrative Rule 4-68. The HPWRA and Plant Pono was developed in partnership with DOFAW, Coordinating Group of Alien Pest Species, University of Hawaii, and the Urban and Community Forestry Council to quickly identify plants that are invasive or have a high likelihood of becoming invasive. The website is a more comprehensive list of invasive plants as well as provides numerous plant alternatives. Policy 49: DOFAW recommends expanding this policy to require persons requesting subdivision of their lands to provide vehicular and/or pedestrian public access easements to forest reserves, natural areas, shoreline, historic sites, and other public resources. The county's support with identification of paper and homestead roads that can provide this access, as well as the development of access routes, through acquisition as necessary, would assist with meeting the County's, community's, and Division's access priorities. Policy 56: DOFAW recommends that a feasibility study include access to the Hamakua Forest Reserve (Kea`a and Hanapai sections) along the scenic route. Policy 60: Waimanu Valley camping, Muliwai Trail and Kohala Forest Reserve information should be integrated with the support facilities for Waipio Lookout and the Heritage Corridor route. Policy 74: The planning and implementation of a Complete Streets Program would benefit from additional consideration for supporting green infrastructure that can enhance roadway, sidewalk, and bike path designs. Trees are an important component to a complete street; enhancing people's enjoyment of the area as well providing numerous economic and ecological benefits. Often times, the green infrastructure components are not included in the initial planning phase and design plans, which results in less than ideal conditions for growing and maintaining trees. Sufficient planting and growing spaces should be factored into early designs, as well as the utilization of native or non-invasive trees and plants. Policy 92: Waimanu Valley hikers and campers should be included in evacuation planning for this area. Further, the Division recommends seeking consultation and collaboration with the County Arborist Committee, or local arborists, to identify management needs for priority emergency routes, develop response plans for tree maintenance following disaster events, and support of educational material for residents on tree care that will improve their resiliency (also in support of Kokua Action 42). Policy 103: DOFAW recommends the incorporation of a recreation priority for the location, possibly including development and management of a firearm or archery target range. Kokua Action 19: The U.S. Forest Service should be included in the list of federal agencies that need sufficient funding to implement critical programs, in particular with their work at the 3